Download Myth Syllabus Spring 2015

MYTHOLOGY
(CCI 205)
T,TH
9:30-10:15
Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None
Credits: 3
Instructor: Robyn Le Blanc
[email protected]
Office: 1110 MHRA
Office Hours: T/TH 10:30-12:00, W 1-2pm or by appointment
COURSE OVERVIEW:
This course will focus on important characters, texts, and ideas that relate to Greek mythology. The assignments for
this course are readings of primary sources (i.e., books written by ancient Greek and Roman authors that have been
translated into modern English). Since this class counts toward the general education requirement in the Literature
category (GLT), you will be learning about specific texts as well as literary conventions found in ancient Greek and
Roman literature.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES (SLOS):
This course belongs to the General Education curriculum of UNCG, fulfilling the Literature (GLT) category, as
well as carrying the Global (GL) marker. The first three Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) are for GL courses,
and the last four are GLT.
1. Find, interpret and evaluate information on diverse cultures.
2. Describe interconnections among regions of the world. (Must include substantial focus on at least one
culture, nation, or sub-nationality beyond Great Britain and North America).
3. Use diverse cultural frames of reference and alternative perspectives to analyze issues.
4. Demonstrate the reading skill required for the study of literary texts.
5. Identify and/or describe some of the varied characteristics of literary texts.
6. Demonstrate orally, in writing or by some other means a fundamental ability to use some of the techniques
and/or methods of literary analysis.
7. Identify and/or describe some of the various social, historical, cultural and/or theoretical contexts in which
literary texts have been written and interpreted.
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. To identify and describe the major characters, themes and cycles of Greek myth (SLO 1, 3, 4-7)
2. To identify some of the major works of Greek and Roman literature dealing with Greek mythology (SLO 17)
3. To analyze the treatments of various Greek myths by the authors of those works (SLO 2-7)
TEACHING METHODS & ASSIGNMENTS FOR ACHIEVING LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The material for this course is based largely on readings of primary sources (books written by Greek and Roman
authors translated into modern English) and bi-weekly lectures. Class time will be spent in lectures (supported by
powerpoints) and in discussions on readings and daily topics. There will be some kind of discussion in each class,
either with the group as a whole or in smaller groups. Students will be asked to think critically about the texts they
read and to make connections within works and between works. Your ability to understand and analyze the
material will be tested in a variety of ways. Pop quizzes (8-12 over the course of the semester) will be administered
during the semester and cover reading material for that day. There will be two midterms, consisting of multiple
choice questions, map identifications, passage/author identifications and short-answer questions. A cumulative
final exam held at the end of the semester will be similar in format (although longer) to the two midterm exams.
TEXTBOOKS & READINGS:
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Homer, The Odyssey (trans. Fagles)
Hesiod, The Works and Days, Theogony, The Shield of Heracles (trans. Lattimore)
The Homeric Hymns (trans. Shelmerdine)
Ovid, The Metamorphoses (trans. Raeburn)
Euripides, Euripides 1: Four Tragedies (ed. Grene and Lattimore)
Additional readings posted to Canvas (indicated on schedule)
These books are available in the university bookstore in EUC. Please make sure that you buy the correct translation
of each text. Translations sometimes vary wildly, and we will reference particular lines/pages/passages in class, so it
will be useful to you to be able to follow along with the correct translation.
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GRADED COMPONENTS:
Pop Quizzes
(SLO 1, 4, 5, 7)
20%
8-12 unannounced pop quizzes given in-class over the course of the semester.
Hourly Exam #1
(SLO 1-7)
Thurs, Feb 26
25%
The first exam will cover the Theogony-Odyssey. The format of the test will include multiple choice
questions, map identifications, identifications of passages/authors and short-answer questions.
Hourly Exam #2
(SLO 1-7)
Thurs, March 26
25%
The first exam will cover Demeter-Transformations/Hubris. The format of the test will include multiple
choice questions, map identifications, identifications of passages/authors and short-answer questions.
Final Exam
(SLO 1-7)
30%
The final exam will be cumulative and similar in format to the hourly exams.
GRADING SCALE:
100-97%=
96-93%=
92-90%=
89-87%=
86-83%=
82-80%=
Below 60%=F
A+
A
AB+
B
B-
79-77%=C+
76-73%=C
72-70%=C69-67%=D+
66-63%=D
62-60%=D-
Grades will be posted on Blackboard throughout the semester so that you may keep track of your performance in
the class. My “rounding” policy is as follows: I will only take into account the first number after the decimal, i.e.
89.6 will be rounded up to a 90% (A-), but an 89.59 will be a B+. If I make an error calculating your grade I’m
more than happy to fix it. However, I do not negotiate grades without a solid reason based on the merits and
correctness of the assignment.
I am happy to discuss your grades with you. However, university policy prohibits discussions of grades via email,
and so you will have to schedule an appointment to come to my office to discuss any issues or questions you might
have.
POP QUIZZES
8-12 times over the course of the semester I will administer unannounced “pop quizzes” with questions drawn from
the assigned reading for the day. These quizzes will be done via scantrons, so please bring a scantron sheet
(available at the bookstore) to class EVERY DAY.
There will be NO MAKEUP QUIZZES FOR ANY REASON. If you miss a quiz you will receive a “zero.” But
I will drop your 2 lowest quiz scores at the end of the semester.
ATTENDANCE:
It is absolutely critical to your success in this course to attend class every day, to take detailed notes and to
participate in group activities and in class discussions. I will use the quizzes as an indicator of attendance. Missing
4 or more quizzes suggests that the student is no longer attending class, and for that reason if you miss
more than four quizzes you may be dropped from the class!
Students will special exemptions should see me BEFORE they miss class. There will be no make-up quizzes, but
students can make up exams IF:
1) They are missing class to represent the university at an official UNCG event (e.g. a sports game, field trip).
Please see me AT LEAST TWO WEEKS before the absence so we can work out details for a make-up
exam.
2) They are missing class for religious reasons (see “Religious Days” section below)
3) They are missing class due to a medical emergency. In such cases, please notify me AS SOON AS
POSSIBLE. I will also need to see an official note from university health or a licensed physician before I
can administer a make-up exam. Absolutely no exceptions.
COURSE ETIQUETE
In order to make this classroom a productive and respectful learning environment, please abide by the following
rules.
1) No talking or whispering (!!). Confused? Have a question or comment? Wonderful. Raise your hand and
I’ll address it.
2) No cell-phones. I can see you texting underneath the desk. Really. It’s distracting to everyone around you,
and I guarantee that you’ll survive without your cell for 75 minutes.
3) NO LAPTOPS. They’re a major source of distraction, and you don’t really need them in the class
since most of the reading material comes from books you’ve purchased. I *will* use powerpoints
that will be posted to Blackboard and available for download after class.
4) Don’t be disruptive or disrespectful while I’m conducting class. Use common sense.
RELIGIOUS DAYS:
State law allows students to have up to two absences for religious reasons per academic year and to be allowed to
make up work missed. If this applies to you, you must notify me two weeks in advance and make arrangements to
make up missed work at that time. I reserve the right to require you to do this work before your absence.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY:
(from the Dean of Students’ Webpage): Academic integrity is founded upon and encompasses the following five
values: honesty, trust, fairness, respect and responsibility. Supporting and affirming these values is essential to
promoting and maintaining a high level of academic integrity. Each member of the academic community must
stand accountable for his or her actions. As a result, a community develops in which students learn the
responsibilities of citizenship and how to contribute honorably to their professions. If knowledge is to be gained
and properly evaluated, it must be pursued under conditions free from dishonesty. Deceit and misrepresentations
are incompatible with the fundamental activity of this academic institution and shall not be tolerated. Members of
the UNCG community are expected to foster in their own work the spirit of academic honesty and not to tolerate
its abuse by others. First responsibility for academic integrity lies with individual students and faculty members of
this community. A violation of academic integrity is an act harmful to all other students, faculty and, ultimately, the
university. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the Academic Integrity Policy:
http://sa.uncg.edu/handbook/academic-integrity-policy/.
FOOD & DRINK POLICY:
There is no food allowed in general use classrooms. You’re welcome to bring a drink, but make sure it doesn’t spill.
SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS:
Students requesting accommodations based on a disability must be registered with the Office of Accessibility
Resources and Services in 215 Elliott University Center (http://ods.dept.uncg.edu/; email: [email protected]). If you
have a documented disability and want to discuss academic accommodations, please talk with me before the end of
the second week.
HOW TO SUCCEED:
Come to class! You’ll get some necessary historical and cultural context for your readings in class, and the exams
will be based on both the reading and class powerpoints.
Read the assignments. You should expect to spend 2-3 hours of work per hour of class time. Some readings are
longer than others, so make sure to do the reading with ample time to review before class so that you can a)
contribute to class discussion, b) do well on the pop quizzes!
Take notes and review the material, both before class and before the exams.
Ask questions!
Check Blackboard (and your email!) daily
Have fun! Mythology is interesting and (usually) an engaging subject.
*Please note that I retain the right to modify this syllabus and any course assignments at any time.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, January 13: Introduction
Reading: Look over the syllabus
Thursday, January 15: Greek Myth in Art; Theogony
Reading: Theogony Lines 1-506
Tuesday, January 20: Theogony
Reading: Theogony Lines 507-900
Thursday, January 22: Theogony; Works and Days
Reading: Theogony Lines 900-1022; Works and Days (back of Theogony text, Appendix A) lines 1-201
Tuesday, January 27: The Trojan War
Reading: None
Thursday, January 29: The Odyssey
Reading: Odyssey, Books 1-2; Homeric Hymn to Athena (#11, 28)
Tuesday, February 2: The Odyssey
Reading: Odyssey, Books 3-4
Thursday, February 5: The Odyssey
Reading: Odyssey, Books 5-8 (skim Book 8; make sure, though, to read lines 430-end)
Tuesday, February 9: The Odyssey
Reading: Odyssey, Books 9-12
Thursday, February 12: The Odyssey
Reading: Odyssey, Books 13-16
Tuesday, February 17: The Odyssey
Reading: Odyssey Books 17-19
Thursday, February 19: The Odyssey
Reading: Odyssey, Books 20-22
Tuesday, February 24: The Odyssey; Modern “Odysseys”
Reading: Odyssey, Books 23-24; Handout of Romare Bearden’s “A Black Odyssey” (Canvas)
Thursday, February 26: MIDTERM #1
Tuesday, March 3: Demeter, Persephone and the Seasons
Reading: Homeric Hymn to Demeter (#2)
Thursday, March 5: Persephone (cont); Hermes
Reading: Homeric Hymn to Hermes (#4)
Tuesday, March 10: NO CLASS (SPRING BREAK)
Thursday, March 12: NO CLASS (SPRING BREAK)
Tuesday, March 17: Greek Heroes: Theseus, Heracles
Reading: Homeric Hymn to Heracles (#15) Ovid, Metamorphoses (Book 9, pp. 209-219); begin Alcestis
Thursday, March 19: Alcestis
Reading: Euripides Alcestis
Tuesday, March 24: Transformations and Hubris;
Reading:
Transformations: Ovid Metamorphoses (“Jove and Io”, pp. 21-27; “Baucis and Philemon”, pp. 200-204; “Ganymede”,
pp. 239)
Hubris: Ovid, Metamorphoses (“The Story of Phaethon”, pp. 28-40; “The Story of Tiresias”, pp. 67; “The Story of
Daedalus and Icarus,” pp. 187-190)
Thursday, March 26: MIDTERM #2
Tuesday, March 31: Apollo; the Wrath of the Gods
Reading: Homeric Hymn to Apollo (#3); Ovid Metamorphoses (“Apollo and Daphne”, pp. 16-21; “The Story of Niobe”,
pp. 133-143; “Arachne” pp. 129-133; “The Story of Actaeon”, pp. 61-64)
Thursday, April 2: Aphrodite; Hippolytus
Reading: Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite (#5); Euripides’ Hippolytus (beginning-line 600)
Tuesday, April 7: Hippolytus
Reading: Euripides’ Hippolytus (line 601-end)
Thursday, April 9: Jason and Medea
Reading: Ovid, Metamorphoses (“The Story of Jason and Medea”, pp. 153-167); Euripides Medea (beginning-line 409)
Tuesday, April 14: Medea
Reading: Euripides’ Medea (line 446-end)
Thursday, April 16: Myths on Sarcophagi
Reading: Handout (Canvas)
Tuesday, April 21: Dionysos
Reading: Homeric Hymn to Dionysos (#1, 7); Euripides’ Bacchae (beginning-line 575)
Thursday, April 23: The Bacchae; Wrap-up
Reading: Euripides’ Bacchae (line 575-end)
Tuesday, April 28: NO CLASS (FRIDAY SCHEDULE)