Classical Mythology: Philosophy 1021
Course Syllabus
Parthenon, Athena's Temple; Athens today
Instructor: Dr. Eve A. Browning
307 A. B. Anderson Hall
www.d.umn.edu/~ebrownin
ebrownin@umn.edu
Course description : A rich and beautiful tradition of sacred stories concerning goddesses, gods, heroes, benign and monstrous magic, miracles, and the supernatural is part of our classical heritage. This course conveys the myths of ancient Greece and Rome against the background of cultural and religious practices which gave them life and meaning. Students are guaranteed an unforgettable journey through the ‘bright land' of classical mythology.
Texts: (required; in UMD bookstore or purchase independently)
Homer, Iliad and Odyssey tr. Stanley Lombardo
Ovid, Metamorphoses tr. Michael Simpson
Course Requirements:
1. Consistent attendance and preparedness are expected of all students and constitute 25% of the course grade. Preparation will be demonstrated (and evaluated) through short quizzes, in–class writing exercises, and discussions. For absence policy, see Professor Browning's Course Policies.
2. Exams will be given in weeks 4, 8, and 12 of the semester, plus final exam (not comprehensive) during the scheduled final exam end-time. Lowest exam grade dropped. Exam grades averaged will constitute 50% of course grade. Exam format will be mostly multiple-choice.
3. A video project will constitute the final 25% of the course grade. Here each student, working as a member of a video team,will choose some idea, story, character, or theme from the classical myth tradition and give it an imaginative treatment in the form of a short video posted on YouTube.. More information on the video project along with a grade rubric will be distributed and discussed in the third week of the semester. Videos must be posted by Wednesday of week 12.
Topic and Reading Schedule:
Week 1: Virgo
Introduction to myth and myth's relationship to ancient religion. Creation stories of the ancient Mediterranean; learn about the ancient Greek creation story and be prepared to compare with any other creation story you know. In-class essay Friday
Read: Iliad books 1-5
Week 2: Libra
The Homeric hero: conflicts of honor and courage. Was there a Trojan War? See this scholar's discussion of the question and be prepared to assess the evidence on a quiz on Wednesday of this week.
Read: Iliad books 6-10
Week 3: Scorpio
Gods and goddesses at war. Choose one or more divinities from this site and describe their physical appearance and material objects with which they are associated, in a 250-word essay due Wednesday of this week.
Read: Iliad books 11-15
Week 4: Sagittarius
What is human nature? “TROY”, view the movie; see reviews of "Troy" and decide for yourself whether this type of film is worth viewing. Review essay due Wednesday of this week (approx. 250 words) Exam #1 Friday of this week
Read: Iliad books 16-20
Week 5: Capricorn
The “wrath of Achilles”: resolved? See this page for art and information related to the end of the Trojan War and be prepared for a Quiz on this Wednesday
Read: Iliad books 21-24
Week 6: Aquarius
The “wine-dark sea”: Odysseus' journey See map of Odysseus' journey home and consider how plausible this largely conjectural itinerary seems to be.
Read: Odyssey books 1-5
Week 7: Pisces
See Odysseus as Hero and write a short character sketch of Odysseus comparing him as hero to other heroes we have met. In-class essay on this Wednesday
Temptations and threats to the traveler
Read: Odyssey books 6-10
Week 8: Aries
“I am Odysseus”: self-knowledge and the hero's quest See Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy article on Self-Knowledge and be prepared to discuss one important type of self-knowledge on an in-class essay Wednesday
Read: Odyssey books 11-15 Exam #2 Friday of this week
Week 9: Taurus
“You can't go home again”: T/F? Bring in the lyrics to one favorite song about home (may be original). Please list both the song-writer and the performer along with the song's name, on your lyrics sheet. HOME song lyrics due in class Wednesday
Read: Odysseybooks 16-20
Week 10: Gemini
“Journeys end in lovers meeting” Is Odysseus' homecoming sweet or bitter?
Read: Odyssey books 21-24
Week 11: Cancer
Overview and review: what have we learned? Explore Roman religious festival calendarand write one up in the form of a 250-word participant's journal. Festival participant's journal due in class Wednesday
Week 12: Leo
Introduction to Roman myth and religion. Student videos posted to YouTube by Wednesday of this week
Read: Ovid Metamorphoses 1-5 Exam #3 Friday of this week
Week 13: Rome and its reach in the ancient world:this interactive map of the Roman empire will let you go exploring. Find a province and be a tourist, keep a journal of one day's travels (approx. 500 words). Roman Empire travel journals due in class Wednesday of this week.
Love, sex, and violence
Read: Ovid, Metamorphoses 6-10
Week 14: When emperors become gods, what happens? How many emperors & family members were deified?
See also this interesting little story for a biography of your instructor's favorite bad-boy Roman emperor. Quiz on online readings Wednesday of this week
Myth meets History
Read: Ovid, Metamorphoses 11-15
Week 15:
Bird's-eye view of the post-history of classical myth.
No additional reading. Course evaluations Wednesday of this week
Final exam in scheduled Final Exam period
