LLT 121.1....Classical Mythology.... Fall 2013 

Dr. Edwin Carawan ....office hours 2pm MWF, 1pm TTh,

115 Siceluff.....phone.836-4831... ECarawan@missouristate.edu

http://courses.missouristate.edu/ECarawan

Texts and Materials:

Required readings are taken from Barry Powell, Classical Mythology, 6th ed. (2004)-- or 7th edn; you may use the 5th edition, but be alert to page-changes; Grene and Lattimore, Greek Tragedies, vol.I. (GT).

    An abbreviated but adequate guide is provided for each Unit, with direct links from the syllabus below. A more detailed Outline to the readings in Powell is available online here.

    Additional resources can be found online at http://www.perseus.tufts.edu.

Objectives and General Education Goals: This course is designed as an introduction to the gods and heroes of Greek Mythology, as they are represented in literature and art. The chief objectives are:

    (1) To gain a basic knowledge of the principal Greek myths representing how the world works and where human beings belong in the cosmos.

    (2) To understand how myth develops in response to social factors--how typical relationships in a society (such as marriage customs and political control) shape the stories in myth and are thus reflected in myth.

    (3) To appreciate the difference in perspective that ancient society reveals in myth--to understand how ancient culture constructs identity and responsibility from different assumptions than our own.

Requirements: The course grade is based on 4 quizzes (total 60%), in-class exercises (total 10%) and Final exam (30%). The quizzes are primarily short answer and ID, to assure a command of the basic terms (practice quizzes linked to this syllabus). The in-class exercises focus on the tragedies and other primary sources, to test basic comprehension. The final exam is largely short answer but includes outlines and discussion questions.

Expectations: Readings should be completed for the assigned date. Superior participation in class may be credited as much as a letter grade. To make up missed work or make special arrangements, you should have a documented necessity (medical need, legal obligation, etc.).

Cheating or plagiarism on any work will be subject to the sanctions listed in Student Academic Integrity Policies p. 4, proportionate to the value of the work: no credit for exercise; course F on quiz; XF on Final.

Special considerations: We strongly support University policies to accommodate students with disabilities and to prevent or remedy discrimination of any kind. If you have a concern or special need, please advise the instructor. In regard to disabilities, you may also contact Disability Services (836-4192) http://www.missouristate.edu/disability; regarding discrimination, the Equal Opportunity Officer (836-4252) or go to http://www.missouristate.edu/human/eoaa.htm. See also the general Policy Statement.

The following schedule refers to Chapters in Powell (6/7th edn—page numbers vary slightly) and Tragedies in GT.

Aug. 20. . . Intro: Mythmaking and Society (ch. 1) (3 Theories briefly illustrated) Unit I: Chapters 2-5 (and Prometheus) Aug. 22... Ch. 2, pp. 18-49: Myth & Cultural Context Culture Clash ... Sex & Society Aug. 27 ... Ch. 3 (pp. 52-74).Origins and the Near East: ...  very rough timeline Aug. 29 . . . Ch. 4. Creation 1, Triumph of Zeus ...(for names of the Olympians, see Unit II, below) Greek and NE Succession Compared Sept. 3 ... Ch. 5. Creation 2, Making of Man Sept. 5 ... Review and discussion Sept. 10 — Quiz 1 (Chh. 2-5) Sept. 12 . . . Aeschylus' Prometheus Bound (in GT) Unit II: Chh. 6-8--Olympians Sept. 17 ... Ch. 6-7/8: Loves of Zeus, bros. & sons Sept. 19 ... Ch. 8/9. the Great Goddesses Sept. 24 … Review and discussion Sept. 26 — Quiz 2 (Chh. 6-8 & Prometheus)

Unit III: Chh. 9/10-11/12 (and Hippolytus) Oct. 1 ... Euripides' Hippolytus (in GT) Oct. 3 ...Ch.10. Demeter Oct. 8 … Ch. 11. Dionysus [Oct. 10 –Fall Break] Oct. 15 ... Ch.12. Land of the Dead Oct. 17 . . . . . Quiz 3 (Chh. 9-11 & Hippolytus) Unit IV: Chh. 13-16/17 Heroic Saga Oct. 22-4 ...Chh. 13/14-15. Perseus & Heracles Oct. 29-31 ... Chh.15-16/17, Theseus and Athens. Nov. 5 . . . Quiz 4 (Chh. 13-16/17) Unit V: Chh. 17-21, Thebes & Troy Nov. 7 ... Ch. 17, Theban Cycle Nov. 12 .... Sophocles Antigone (in GT) Nov. 14 ....Ch.18, Jason & Medea Nov. 19-21 ... Chh.19-20/1. Trojan War Dec. 3 ... Ch. 21/2. Odysseus Dec. 5 ... Review and Discussion Final Exam: Tues. Dec. 10, at 1:15