LLT 321 Comparative Mythology
Spring 2012
[under construction]
Edwin
Carawan, Siceluff 115 -- Office Hours: 10:30 MWF,1pm 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
50%), (b) Essays and/or Final Exam (25% each) -- The quizzes are largely
short answer, matching and brief identification (See Practice for Quiz 1 linked
below). The option of submitting a
second Essay in lieu of the Final is reserved for those who have an A-average
(90 or above) after Quiz 4; outline must be approved.
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.
Schedule:
Jan. 18 ... Preface: .....
sketch of Creation stories
Unit I. Creation and the
Cosmos -- Intro: Goddess
and Shaman
Jan.
20 ... TD 3-25:
Sumerians and discovery of the Sacred ...
rough
timeline for Greece and Near East
Uruk Vase.
Map of Mesopotamia
... Main sites
Jan.
23 ... TD 26-73:
Inanna and Death
of Dumuzi
Jan.
25 ... Treasures ch. 3-4 (77-116) TD 77-91:
Gods
as Rulers (stele
of Naramsin) Enki World (AN&Co.)
Jan.
27-30 ... Treasures ch. 4, cont. TD 95-143:
The
Sumerian Pantheon Rising ...'Enlil
and Ninlil'
'Enki and
Ninhursag (in Dilmun)' Sumerian Creation?
Feb.
1 ... TD 146-64, Rise
of Personal Religion
Feb. 3
... Quiz 1
Feb.
6-8 ... TD 167-191 = Enuma Elish ...
(full
text).
Hesiod,
the Greek Theogony (main
text)
Succession Myths compared ... Zeus vs. Typhon
Feb.
10 ... Egyptian
Myths of Creation (hndt)
Feb.
13 ... Egyptian
Cataclysm, Greek 'Ages of
Man'
&
Atrahasis
(TD 116-21); Myths of Man's Doom
Lot's Daughters (another
Cataclysm survived)
Feb.
15 ... Review and Perspective
...Horus
vs. Seth
Feb. 17
... Quiz 2. (Feb. 20,
President's Day Holiday)
Feb.
22 ... Gilgamesh
& Co.= TD 195-219 (Guide)
Feb.
24 ... Enkidu and the
Netherworld
Egyptian Tale of Two Bros.
Summary of '2 Bros.'
[Feb.
27 ... Essay Outline is due; Mar. 7 essay is due
Essay 1: Creation--
Violence and Order ]
Unit II.
The Hero's Quest (continued)
Feb. 27-9 ... End of the Iliad (16-24)= Homer 153-240
Mar.
2 ... Odyssey 9-13
Mar.
5 ... Odyssey 16-18
Mar.
7-9 ... Odyssey 19-24
Review and discussion
Mar. 12
... Quiz 3
Mar.
14-16 ... Norse
Myth I (NME chh, 1-2) Background
***Mar. 19-23, Spring Break ***
Mar.
26 ... Norse
Myth II (NME chh. 3-4)
Thor & Thrym Thor &
Loki compared
Mar.
28-30 ... Norse
Myth III (NME chh. 6-7)
Gylfaginning
38-50 (Siring of Sleipnir,
Journey to Utgard,
Baldr
& Ragnarok)
April
2-4 ... 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 ]
April
9-11 ... Volsunga Saga 19-32 (Byock 65-92)
Volsunga
Saga 19-22...23-27...(Guide2) 28-32
April 13 ... Quiz 4
April
16 ... Burkert ch. 1.
Defining Myth
April 18-20 ... Burkert chh.
2-3, Ritual and Scapegoat.
April
23 ... Outline due for Essay 2
April
23-5 Burkert chh. 4-5
(6 optional),
Goddesses & their Guys. Telepinus
& Friends
April
30 & May 9 ... Review and Discussion
Final Guide
--Summary of
Recent Reading
OR
Essay 2: the Journey Beyond
Final
Exam (or Essay due) Wed. May 16,
11am