LLT 321 Comparative Mythology Spring 2009 [Spring 2012
under construction]
Edwin
Carawan .... (now Siceluff 115) .... Office
Hours: 1 MWF, 3:30 TTh
phone:
836-4831....ECarawan@missouristate.edu
Objectives:
This course is an investigation of the common patterns and social causes of
myth-making. The guiding theme of our study will be Violence and Order: we focus on the way myth seems to justify the
practices of religion and early law as originating in some
'killing-in-exchange' (sacrifice or retribution).
Readings are divided into two units: (1) Creation and the Cosmos; and (2) the
Hero's Quest. With so wide a scope, we shall have to be selective. For
primary material, Greek myth is central because it is so fully preserved. For
comparison we focus first upon the most ancient sources, Sumer and Babylon,
with a brief look at Egypt; we then turn to the relatively recent but
remarkably primitive remains of Norse saga and related Germanic legend.
Parallel to this last set of readings we will sample and discuss a
representative work of modern mythography: Walter Burkert's Structure and History, an
influential model tracing the roots of mythmaking back to defining violence in
early human society.
Reqirements:
The course grade will consist of 3 components: (a) Quizzes and in-class
exercises (total 40-50%), (b) Essays (20-25 % each) and a Final Exam (20-25%)--
Upper percentages with Quiz 4 instead of
Essay 2. The quizzes are largely short answer, matching and brief
identification (See Practice for Quiz 1 linked below).
Readings should be completed for the assigned date, and basic comprehension
will be measured by in-class exercises. The essays reflect upon common and
contrasting elements in two or more traditions; 4-5 pages suggested. (Essay
guides below).
The Final is largely
review: short answer on basic terms, discussion of broader themes.
Integrity: Any request for make-up or rescheduling of tests
should document reasonable need. Any academic dishonesty will be subject to
sanctions (as listed in Student
Academic Integrity, p.4) proportionate to the work: zero on quiz; course F
on essay; 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.
Texts:
Thorkild Jacobsen, The Treasures
of Darkness (1976 = TD);
Lombardo, The Essential Homer (2000); HRE Ellis, Gods and Myths of Northern Europe (=MNE)
Burkert,
Structure and History
in Greek Mythology and
Ritual. Additional materials provided in class and online.
Recommended: J. Byock
trans. The Saga of the Volsungs ; Burkert,
Homo Necans ; Wm. Ian Miller, Eye for an Eye.
|
Preface: ......sketch
of Creation stories Unit I. Creation and the
Cosmos Jan. 13....Intro: Goddess
and Shaman
... Jan. 15 ... TD 3-25:
Sumerians and discovery of the Sacred ... rough timeline
for Greece and Near East Uruk
Vase. Map of Mesopotamia
... Main sites Jan. 20 ... TD 26-73:
Inanna and Death
of Dumuzi Jan. 22 ... Treasures ch. 3-4 (77-116) TD 77-91: Gods
as Rulers (stele
of Naramsin) Enki
World
(AN&Co.) Jan. 27.
...(lost to bad weather). Date-changes in MAROON Jan. 29... . Treasures ch. 4, cont. TD 95-143:
The Sumerian Pantheon Rising ...'Enlil
and Ninlil' ..... 'Enki and
Ninhursag (in Dilmun)' Sumerian Creation? Enki & Ninmah ...Ninurta & Anzu Feb. 3 . . TD 146-64, Rise of Personal
Religion Feb. 5 .
. . . .Quiz 1
Feb. 10 ...TD
167-191 = Enuma Elish ... (full text). Hesiod,
the Greek Theogony (main
text) Succession Myths compared ...Zeus vs.
Typhon Feb. 12 ...Egyptian
Myths of Creation (hndt)
Feb. 17 ... Egyptian
Cataclysm, Greek 'Ages
of Man' &
Atrahasis
(TD 116-21); Myths of Man's Doom Lot's Daughters (another
Cataclysm survived) Feb. 19 .... Review and
Perspective ...Horus vs.
Seth Feb. 24 .
. . Quiz 2.
Feb.
26...
Gilgamesh
& Co.= TD 195-219 (Guide) Mar. 3... Enkidu and the Netherworld Egyptian Tale of
Two Bros. Summary of '2 Bros.' [Mar.
3 ...Essay Outline due] Mar. 12... Essay 1: Creation--
Violence and Order |
Unit II. The Hero's Quest Mar. 5 ...End of the Iliad (16-24)= Homer 153-240 Mar. 10 ...
Odyssey 9-13 Mar. 12 .
. .Odyssey 16-18 ... Essay I is due Mar. 17 ...
Odyssey 19-24
Review and discussion Mar.
19 ...Quiz 3 ***Mar. 23-7, Spring Break *** Mar. 31 ... Norse Myth I (NME chh. 1-2) Background Gylfaginning 1-34 Outline Otter's Ransom [no class April 2] Apr. 7 ... Norse Myth II (NME chh.3-4) [no class 4/9] Thor and Thrym ...Thor & Loki Compared Apr. 14 ..... Norse Myth III (NME chh. 6-7) Gylfaginning 38-50 (Siring of Sleipnir, Journey to Utgard, Baldr & Ragnarok) Apr.16
Volsunga Saga
1-18 (Byock 35-65) Guide 5th
c. Background: Volsungs
and Burgundians [focus on chh. 11-18: Volsunga
Saga 11-15...16-18
] Apr. 21 ... Volsunga
Saga 19-32 (Byock 65-92) Volsunga
Saga 19-22...23-27...(Guide2) 28-32 Apr. 23... Quiz
4 OR
Outline due for Essay 2
Apr. 28....Burkert ch. 1.
Defining Myth Apr. 30....Burkert chh.
2-3, Ritual and Scapegoat. May 1..Essay 2: the Journey Beyond May 5...Burkert chh.
4-5 (6 optional), Goddesses & their Guys. Telepinus
& Friends May 7 ... Review and
Discussion Final Guide--Summary of
Recent Reading May 14 (Thursday) ....Final Exam
(1:15) |
