SUFFOLK COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Prof. A. Goode-Elman: Office: Southampton 122

HM 44: MYTHOLOGY

Fall 2005 Tel 451-4365 Hours: MW 3:15-4:15 TTH 3:15-4:15 and by appointment

Objectives: The student will be able to: demonstrate an understanding of the nature of mythic thought as distinct from religious, historical, scientific and poetic thought; recognize major themes found in most Eastern and Western Cultures; apply mythic themes and concepts to contemporary culture.

Course description: Through the study of Greek, Hebrew, Minoan, and Mycenaen myth and epic, the student will learn about the mythic themes that all cultures share, interpretive theories of mythology, and the way myth is felt to be the foundation of art and culture.

Text: Classical Mythology by Morford and Lenardon (Seventh Edition)

Recommended: See the bibliography at the end of each chapter for further reading.

Study the Glossary Index of Mythological and Historical Persons, Places, and Subjects beginning on page I-11 at the end of the text. Note how they help you pronounce the names. Use the website www.classicalmythology.org to review and study.

Exams: There will be two exams based upon the reading and classroom discussion. You MUST TAKE both exams.

A group project is also required. The group project will be graded individually. The project is to select a myth and show how it is used in one of the arts, ie. literature, painting, (sculpture), music, theatre or film. You can get ideas and suggestions from reading Chs. 27 and 28 in the text.

***Begin reading Chs 27-28 now so that you will be ready to choose a topic by Oct. 18

Attendance: The college defines excessive absence or lateness as more than the equivalent of one week of class meetings during the semester. Excessive absence or lateness may lead to failure in the course or removal from the class roster.

Grading: The exams are worth 85% of your grade. The report is 15%

Reading Assignments in Classical Mythology for the week of:

Aug 30-Sept 6 Ch I: Interpretation and Definition of Classical Mythology

Sept 13: Ch 2 Historical Background of Greek Mythology

Sept 20 Ch 3 Myths of Creation

Sept 27 Ch 4 Zeus’ Rise to Power: The Creation of Mortals Ch 5 The Twelve Olympians: Zeus, Hera, and Their Children

Oct 4 (no class) Oct 6 Ch 5 The Twelve Olympians: Zeus, Hera, and Their Children

Oct 11 EXAM I second class meeting Oct 13

Oct 18 Ch 6 The Nature of the Gods Ch 8 Athena Sign Up for Projects You should have completed Chs 27 and 28 for ideas.

Oct 25 Ch 9 Aphrodite and Eros

Nov 1 Ch 10 Artemis Ch 11 Apollo

Nov 8 Ch 19 The Trojan Saga and The Iliad

Nov 15 Ch 19 Trojan Saga and Iliad

Nov 22 (Friday classes meet on Tuesday and Thanksgiving Thurs Ch 19 The Trojan Saga and The Iliad

Nov 29 Ch 20 The Returns and The Odyssey

Dec 6 Exam DEC 8

Dec 13 Oral Projects Due and Paper

Dec 20 Oral Projects Due and Paper

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