LLT 121.2 Classical Mythology
Fall, 09 9:30 TTH; 117 Siceluff Hall
Instructor: J. A. Johnson Office: 105 Siceluff Office
Phone: 836-5122 Office Hours: 7:45-9:15, 12:15-1:15 TTH
E-mail:
JulieJohnson@missouristate.edu
and by appointment
Electronic Contact – Email checked daily am & pm
Course Page:
http://courses.missouristate.edu/JulieJohnson/ - Click on link to
correct section.
Texts: Ovid, Metamorphoses, translated by Rolfe Humphries (Indiana U.
Press)
Homer, Odyssey, translated by W.H.D. Rouse (Signet Classic)
Plus various handouts
Films: Midsummer Night’s Dream, Clash of the Titans, Jason
and the Argonauts, Black Orpheus
| Schedule | Online Text of Ovid's Metamorphoses |
| Syllabus | Online Text of Homer's Odyssey |
| Study Guide |
Date
Class
Reading Assignments
Wk 1 Greetings
& Overview Greek
Myth
Ovid – pp 3-27
(Aug 25/27) Ovid & Homer; Cosmogonies
(Creation – Jove & Io)
Wk 2 Man vs. Gods – nature of the
beast
Ovid – pp 28-54
(Sep 1/3) Theories of Myth – as primitive science
(Phaethon – Goddess Envy)
Wk 3 Theories of Myth – religious
explanations
Ovid – pp 54-80
(Sep 8/10) Ovid
- Week 3 Ovid
- Week 3b
(Europa – Pentheus & Bacchus)
Wk 4 Myth as inspiration
Ovid – pp 81-100
(Sep 15/17) Midsummer Night’s Dream
(Daughters of Minyas – End of Cadmus)
Ovid - Week 4
Wk 5
24th - Test 1
Ovid – pp 100-133
(Sep 22/24) So far, so good! Ovid
- Week 5
(Perseus – Minerva’s tales)
Wk 6 Moral Compasses – cultural
values/gender roles
Ovid – pp 133 - 152
(Sep 29/Oct 1) Ovid
- Week 6
(Niobe – Tereus, Procne, Philomela)
Wk 7 Legends and Heroes Ovid
- Week 7
Ovid – pp 153 - 180
(Oct 6/8) Film: Jason and the Argonauts
(Jason & Medea – Cephalus & Procris)
Wk 8 Mythic dysfunctional
families
Ovid – pp 181 -- 198
(Oct 13) Heroic Patterns Ovid
- Week 8
(Nisus & Scylla – Brand of Meleager)
------------------------------Fall
Holiday----------------------------------------
Wk 9
20th- Test 2 Ovid
- Week 9 Ovid - Week 9b
Ovid – pp 200-237
(Oct 20/22) Further heroes...and one or two good examples
(Baucis & Philemon – Orpheus & Eurydice)
Wk 10 Film: Black Orpheus
Ovid – pp 239 – 261
(Oct 27/29) Adaptation of myth (Ganymede – death of Orpheus)
Ovid - Week 10
[ October 28th - Deadline for Withdrawal with automatic
‘W’.]
Wk 11
Trojan War
background And more
background
Odyssey, Books 1-4
(Nov 3/5)
Penelope's Song - YouTube
Wk 12
10th – Test 3
Odyssey, Books 5-8
(Nov 10/12)
Arrival on Calypso's island
- YouTube
Calypso
Aeolus
Wk 13 Sagas & Songs:
Faraway Places with strange-sounding names…
Odyssey, Books 9-12
(Nov 17/19) Odysseus at Last!
The Sirens - Greek Song
Odyssey (Part I)
Wk 14 Home at last!
(cf. homecoming vets)
Odyssey, Books 13-16
(Nov 24th)
Ithaca - YouTube, by
Cavafy (Second version:
Ithaca)
---------------------------------Thanksgiving----------------
Wk 15 Dec 1 - Test 4
Odyssey, Books 17-20
(Dec 1/3)
Odysseus' First Interview with Penelope
Wk 16 What now? (cf.
Tennyson & Brooke)
Odyssey, Books 21-24
(Dec 8/10)
Final – Thursday, 8:45 am, Dec 17
Top
Syllabus
Course: LLT 121 fulfills 3 hours of General Education requirements under the
area of inquiry "Self-Understanding, Humanities Perspective". As such, it aims
at the General Education Goals under both Part One: Intellectual Abilities and
Dispositions and Part Two, B. Understanding Culture and Society. The details of
these goals are laid out at the following web site and factor into the specific
sectional course objectives:
http://www.missouristate.edu/GeneralEducation/Faculty_Senate_Approved_GenEd.htm
LLT 121 also connects to the MSU Public Affairs mission by addressing two of the
main themes of Public Affairs: (1) Ethical Leadership (in the study of ancient
heroes) and (2) Cultural Competency (in understanding ancient European societies
and their concerns).
LLT 121 is an introduction to the principal tales of ancient Greece,
particularly those which form the mythic heritage of Greece and Rome and which
now serve as the common tradition and cultural legacy of the west and, in
particular, as the store of symbols and icons from which we draw in expressing
values and communicating interests.
Course Objectives:
• Acquire familiarity with basic Greek and Roman myths as shown in ability to
speak and write about them and to
recognize
references to them in art, literature, and music (what the myths are and their
occurrence in any
context)
• Acquire understanding of the sources and cultural functions of these tales in
their original contexts as shown by an
ability to
recognize and interpret ancient uses of myth (how and why we have them) with
special attention to the
human values
expressed by these myths and to the leadership qualities accorded to mythic
heroes
• Acquire appreciation of the ongoing power of ancient myth and its use in
contemporary times, as shown by the
recognition of the
various uses of myths in today’s culture (how they still appeal)
• Acquire appreciation for the ancient poetic sources of myth through
assimilation of primary sources as shown by a
familiarity with
Ovid’s and Homer’s works (why generations of men and women have dug them)
Class: Class time will be spent in a combination of lecture, discussion, and
films. You are responsible for reading and pondering assigned material in
advance of the class in which it will be covered, for attending promptly and
cheerfully, and for chewing over the material in class with gusto and
thoughtfulness. To prime our conversational pumps, you should always come to
class with at least one question prepared in writing prompted by that week’s
reading assignment. [These may be collected on occasion, so make them good.]
Testing: There will be 4 tests and a final exam during the term. The tests will
total 100 points (25 points each); the final exam, 35 points. All exams will
cover the information from our primary sources (who, what, where, and when of
myth), class handouts, lectures, graphic representations, discussions,
activities, and whatever else is pertinent.
Study guides for all tests and for the final will be available by link to the
online course page.
Participation: Participation will be assessed based on faithful attendance and
lively engagement as shown by discussion, raising questions, comments, and
general sharing in the work of the class. This is your class, and its level of
interest depends upon the contributions of each and every students. Excessive
absences will certainly impair your ability to perform on tests. If you should
miss class, it is your responsibility alone to acquire notes and information
from other students. (Do feel free, however, to e-mail me at any time with
questions about the material or about assignments.)
Notate Bene: There will be no make-ups on tests without my permission prior to
the day in question. Medical absences should be verified by a physician’s note.
However, in the case of a natural disaster (e.g., blizzard, ice storm, flood,
and plague of locusts) we shall adjust the schedule as appropriate. Risk neither
life nor limbs. In the event of inclement weather, if you suspect the roads are
impassible, you should check the course page to see whether class has been
cancelled or call Mrs. Burlison, MCL Executive Secretary, at 836-5122.
There will be absolutely no fudging on the official date and time of the final
exam (Thursday, December 17th). Do not ask. A necessary (but not sufficient)
requirement for any change of an individual’s final schedule is the written
permission of that student’s college dean.
Grading: At the end of term, the point total for the tests and final will be
added (along with any possible bonus points) and a grade will be assigned on the
basis of the percentage achieved out of the total possible points according to
the following scale: 100-90% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; 0-59% = F.
The approximate percentage breakdown of the course work is as follows:
4 tests = 100 points or 63 %
Participation = 25 points or 16 %
Final = 35 points or 21 % Total: 160 points
Procedures for Grade Inquiries: If you have any questions about test, written
work, or final course grading, please see me first. If you have further
questions, I shall refer you to Professor Madeleine Kernen, Department Head,
Modern & Classical Languages.
Some of you (e.g., athletes, pledges, scholarship recipients, etc.) may require
regular feedback on your grade. If so, please apprise me early in the term and
check with me often. If you wish a ‘snapshot’ estimate of your grade at any
time, just email your request.
Courtesies: Late arrivals to and early departures from class are both rude and
disruptive. Inclement weather aside, such comings and goings will not be
tolerated. If special circumstances pertain (e.g., a 8:00 or 11:00 in the
Professional Building), please let me know at the start of term.
Integrity: I presume at the outset that everyone is of the highest moral
character and probity. However, in a case of suspected cheating or plagiarism
(‘Plagiarism’ means the theft of intellectual property, stealing the ideas or
words of another and passing them off as one’s own.), I shall return the exam
without a grade, and the student must see me immediately. If good faith has been
restored, a grade will be given. In the case of unquestioned dishonesty, the
test or written material will be given an automatic zero; and the student must
still see me immediately. In the latter instance, the student will be counseled
to drop the course and the Academic Integrity Council may be notified.
Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing
educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic
integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following our student honor code,
Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at
http://www.missouristate.edu/acadaff/AcademicIntegrity.html and also
available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Any student participating in
any form of academic dishonesty may be subject to sanctions as described in this
policy.
Accommodations: To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact
Katheryne Staeger-Wilson, Director, Disability Services, Plaster Student Union,
Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY),
http://www.missouristate.edu/disability . Students are required to provide
documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving
accommodations. Disability Services refers some types of accommodation requests
to the Lea rning Diagnostic Clinic, which also provides diagnostic testing for
learning and psychological disabilities. For information about testing, contact
Dr. Steve Capps, Director, Lea rning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787,
http://www.missouristate.edu/contrib/ldc .
Nondiscrimination: Missouri State is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
institution, and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who
believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your
right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to Jana
Estergard, Equal Opportunity Officer, 111 Park Central Office Building (PCOB),
telephone (417) 836-4252. Website:
http://www.missouristate.edu/equity/ . Other types of concerns (i.e.,
concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your
instructor and can also be brought to the attention of Professor Madeleine
Kernen, Head, Department of Modern & Classical Languages.
Emergency Response
Students who require assistance during an emergency evacuation must discuss
their needs with their professors and Disability Services. If you have emergency
medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in
case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon
as possible.
For additional information students should contact the Office of Disability
Services, 836-4192 (PSU 405), or Larry Combs, Interim Assistant Director of
Public Safety and Transportation at 836-6576.
For further information on Missouri State University’s Emergency Response Plan,
please refer to the following web site:
http://www.missouristate.edu/safetran/erp.htm .
Dis Volentibus!
(With gods willing!)