LLT
321 Comparative Mythology Spring
2013
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 2 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. 15 ... Preface:
.....
sketch of Creation stories
Unit I. Creation and the
Cosmos -- Intro: Goddess
and Shaman
Jan.
17 ... TD 3-25: Sumerians and discovery of the Sacred
...
rough timeline for Greece and Near East
Uruk Vase. Map of Mesopotamia
... Main
sites
Jan.
22 ... TD 26-73:
Inanna and Death of Dumuzi
Jan.
24 ... Treasures ch. 3-4 (77-116) TD 77-91:
Gods
as Rulers (stele
of Naramsin) Enki World (AN&Co.)
Jan.
29 ... Treasures ch. 4, cont. TD
95-143:
The
Sumerian Pantheon Rising ...
'Enki and Ninhursag (in Dilmun)' Adapa
Jan
31 ... TD 146-64, Rise
of Personal Religion
Feb. 5
... Quiz 1
Feb.
7 ... TD 167-191 = Enuma Elish
Hesiod,
the Greek Theogony (main text)
Succession Myths compared ... Zeus vs. Typhon
Feb.
12 ... Egyptian
Myths of Creation
...
Egyptian
Cataclysm, Greek 'Ages of
Man'
&
Atrahasis
(TD 116-21); Myths of Man's Doom
Lot's Daughters (another
Cataclysm survived)
Feb.
14 ... Review and Perspective
...Horus
vs. Seth
Feb. 19
... Quiz 2. (Feb. 20,
President's Day Holiday)
Feb.
21 ... Gilgamesh & Co.= TD 195-219 (Guide)
Feb.
26 ... Enkidu
and the Netherworld
[Feb.
28 ... Essay Outline is due; Mar. 7 essay is due
Essay 1: Creation--
Violence and Order ]
Unit II. The Hero's Quest (continued)
Feb.
28... End
of the Iliad (16-24)= Homer 153-240
Mar.
5 ... Odyssey 9-13
Mar.
7 ... Odyssey 16-18
--Spring
Break, Mar. 9-17--
Mar.
19 ... Odyssey 19-24
Review and
discussion
Mar. 21
... Quiz 3
Mar.
26 ... Norse
Myth I (NME chh, 1-2) Background
April
2 ... Norse Myth II
(NME chh. 3-4)
Thor & Thrym Thor &
Loki compared
April
4 ... Norse
Myth III (NME chh.
6-7)
Gylfaginning
38-50 (Siring of Sleipnir,
Journey to Utgard,
Baldr & Ragnarok)
April
9 ... 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
16 ... Volsunga
Saga 19-32 (Byock 65-92)
April 18 ... Quiz 4
April
23 ...
Burkert ch. 1: defining Myth
April 25 … Burkert chh. 2-3 -- Ritual and
Scapegoat
April
30-May 2 … Burkert chh. 4-5
Goddesses & Guys … Telepinus & Friends
May
7-9 … Review and Discussion
Final Guide --- Summary of Recent Readings
OR Essay 2 Journey Beyond
Final
Exam (or Essay due)
Thurs. May 16, 1:15pm