SYLLABUS
Contemporary Statue of Goddess Athena, Athens, Georgia
Instructor: Dr. Eve A. Browning
Office
ABAH 307
Email ebrownin@umn.edu
Course Description:
In this
course we will study the myths of ancient Greece and Rome, along with brief glances at other myths (Native
American, Celtic, Egyptian, Hebrew, and Christian) for comparison
purposes. We will explore the extent to
which myth can function as a ground for religious experience and ritual,
as a vehicle for human self-understanding, and as the basis for the collective
identity of a culture. The classical
myth tradition forms an important part of subsequent western culture's literary
and psychological foundations; for this reason, the study of classical myths is
also a project of self-study even in modern times.
Required
Texts: ( in UMD bookstore)
Homer, The Essential Homer
Ovid, Metamorphoses
Course Requirements:
1.
Preparedness
and participation are expected of all students. Occasional very short writing
assignments will be made, either for in-class or at-home completion. These will be graded on a pass/no pass basis
and will form a portion of the participation grade (see grade formula below).
2.
Tests will be given in class, one at the
half-way point of our course and one at the end. These will be referred to as the midterm and
the final exam respectively. Dates to be
announced.
3.
Students will also do a creative term project,
in which some portion of a classical myth is explored in an imaginative and
enjoyable way. More information and
project guidelines to be distributed.
Grade
formula:
Midterm = 25%
Final = 25%
Project = 25%
Part/Att. = 25%
Topic and Reading Schedule:
Week 1:
Monday:
Introduction to classical mythology.
Virgo.
Tonight read: Ovid, Metamorphoses, pp. 109-116
“The Rape of Proserpine”. Also begin
reading Iliad in Essential Homer.
Tuesday: Myth and
Religion. Presentation and discussion. Libra
Tonight read: Iliad to page 106. Gods and humans in harmony and conflict. Was there really a Trojan War? Check out this German scholar’s answer.
Wednesday: Cultural
and Historical Framework for classical myth; and, The Homeric Hero. Tonight read Iliad to page 153. Love and war.
Thursday: Film
day: Viewing and discussion of relevant
video resources. Scorpio
Tonight read: Iliad
to page 222. Testing of the true heroes.
Friday:
Creation! Comparative discussion
of creation accounts.
Tonight read to the end of the Iliad and ponder
the funeral that concludes this epic poem.
How did the Trojan War really end, and then what horrors
ensued? Find out here.
Week 2:
Monday: Theories
of the meaning of myth. Sagittarius
Tonight read: Odyssey in Essential Homer, starts on page 241; read up to page 314. Homecomings from the Trojan War: Can we go
home again? Map of Odysseus’ journey
hone from Troy here.
Tuesday: Hercules Day.
Lecture and video presentations of this ancient superhero.
Tonight read: Odyssey
to page 366. The Questing Hero.
Wednesday: Trip to Mount Olympus, breakfast with the
goddesses and gods. Capricorn
Tonight read: Odyssey
to page 422. Odysseus’ trials at home.
Thursday: Film day: “O Brother Where Art Thou?” Coen
brothers’ movie version of the Odyssey (excerpts). The universality of the hero’s quest for home. Aquarius
Friday: And
Odysseus and Penelope lived happily ever after…or did they?
Tonight read through the end of the Odyssey.
Week 3:
Monday: Introduction to Roman myth and religion. Pisces
Tonight read: Ovid,
Metamorphoses books I-II-III. How big was Rome at its biggest? See this interactive map of the Roman Empire
and do some virtual touring.
Tuesday: Myth and
psychological conflict. Aries
Tonight read: Metamorphoses book VI
Wednesday: Love,
sex, violence, sudden change. Taurus
Tonight read: Metamorphoses
books VIII and X.
Thursday: Creativity:
The ultimate metamorphosis.
No new reading.
Friday: Final
Exam and projects due.
THE END