- 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)
             Aeschylus, The Oresteia, translated by D. Lee (Penguin Classics)
                             And assorted handouts

Films: Clash of the Titans, Jason and the Argonauts, Black Orpheus, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Mourning Becomes Electra

Schedule	Study Guides
Syllabus

Tentative Schedule
Date Class Reading Assignments

Wk 1          Greetings & Overview       Greek Myth                                               Ovid – pp 3-27
(Aug 26/28) Ovid & Homer; Cosmogonies                                                      (Creation – Jove & Io)
Greek Creation      Olympians - Children of Cronus     Olympians - Children of Zeus   Hesiod's Ages of Man

Wk 2   Man vs. Gods – nature of the beast                                                         Ovid – pp 28-54
(Sep 2/4) Theories of Myth – as primitive science                                         (Phaethon – Goddess Envy)
                        Ovid - 1                 Ovid - 2

Wk 3   Theories of Myth – religious explanations                                                Ovid – pp 54-80
(Sep 9/11)     Ovid - 3        Ovid - 3a                                                       (Europa – Pentheus & Bacchus)

Wk 4 Myth as inspiration Ovid - 4 Ovid – pp 81-100
(Sep 16/18) Midsummer Night’s Dream (Daughters of Minyas – End of Cadmus)

Wk 5     25^th- Test 1                                                                                       Ovid – pp 100-133
(Sep 23/25) Ovid - 5                                                                                     (Perseus – Minerva’s tales)

Wk 6 Film: Clash of the Titans                                                                         Ovid – pp 133 - 152
(Sep 30/Oct 2) Theory revisited – Ceres & Proserpina                          (Niobe – Tereus, Procne, Philomela)
                              Ovid - 6

Wk 7 Theories of myth – historical                                                                      Ovid – pp 153 - 180
(Oct 7/9) Film: Jason and the Argonauts                                              (Jason & Medea – Cephalus & Procris)
                        Ovid - 7

Wk 8 Mythic dysfunctional families                                                                    Ovid – pp 181 -- 198
(Oct 14) Pattern to Heroes     Ovid - 8                                                    (Nisus & Scylla – Brand of Meleager)

                                      ---------------Fall Break-----------------

Wk 9 21^th – Test 2                                                                                          Ovid – pp 200-237
(Oct 21/23)   Further heroes...and one or two good examples           (Baucis & Philemon – Orpheus & Eurydice)
                           Ovid - 9             Ovid - 9b

Wk 10 Film: Black Orpheus                                                                               Ovid – pp 239 - 261
(Oct 28/30) Adaptation of myth           Ovid - 10                                      (Ganymede – death of Orpheus)
        28th-Tyler & Apollo/NASA            30th- Kristin & Nike; Molly & Venus Products

Wk 11    Backstory of Troy/House of Atreus                                                      Odyssey, Books 1-4
(Nov 4/6)    6th-  Allison & Hercules                                                                  Aeschylus, Agamemnon
                     Ody. 1-4                      House of Atreus

Wk 12 11^th – Test 3                                                                                       Odyssey, Books 5-8
(Nov 11/13) Odysseus at last!!      Ody. 5-8                                              Aeschylus, The Libation Bearers
                                         13th-Heather & Cerberus Ashley & Icarus

Wk 11 Faraway Places with Strange Sounding Names…  Ody. 9-12                 Odyssey, Books 9-12
(Nov 18/20) 20^th - Film: Mourning Becomes Electra, O’Neill                   Aeschylus, The Eumenides
          18th-Jenna & Sirens Kim & 'Lars & Real Girl'                         20th-   Mary & Asclepius    Brandt & Orion

Wk 14 Home at last! (cf. homecoming vets)                                                     Odyssey, Books 13-16
(Nov 25) Film: MBE, Continued       Ody 13-16
              25th-Maddie & Odyssey       Nora & Argus
                                     ----------------------Thanksgiving Break------------------
Wk 15 4^th- Guest Speaker, Prof. Christopher Herr                                          Odyssey, Books 17-20
(Dec 2/4) Odysseus and homecomings…
                      Ody 17-20

Wk 16 9^th-Test 4  9th-Alexandria & 'Greeks Bearing Gifts'   Elliot & Zeus    Odyssey, Books 21-24
(Dec 9/11) What now? (cf. Tennyson & Brooke)            Ody 21-24
                  11th-   Hannah & Delphi   Chelsea & aegis       Kalie & Sisyphus      Katie & Mercury Michael & Trojan War
                                  Antony & Troy?         Sam & Vulcan     Caleb & Star Wars

Final – 11:00, Thursday, Dec 18^th
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Syllabus

Course: 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 when expressing our own values and communicating our own interests. As an Honors section, this course will provide enhanced opportunities to engage primary source material and to enjoy hands-on class activities.

Course Objectives:

Acquire familiarity with basic Greek and Roman myths as shown in the ability to speak and write about them and to recognize references to them in art, literature, and music (i.e., know what the myths are and see 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 (i.e., ponder how and why they were created and what purposes they serviced)
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 (i.e., ruminate on how and why they still have appeal to us—is it us or them or both?)
Acquire appreciation for the ancient poetic sources of myth through assimilation of primary sources as shown by a familiarity with Ovid’s, Aeschylus’, and Homer’s works (i.e., consider why generations of men and women have enjoyed these authors)

Class: Class time will be spent in a combination of lecture, discussion, films, and student activities. 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 two questions prepared in writing on each day’s topic. [These may be collected on occasion, so make them good.] Students may be asked to lead discussion now and then.

Testing: There will be 4 tests and a final exam during the term. The tests will total 100 points; the final exam, 50 points. All exams will cover the information from our primary sources (who, what, where, and when of myth), class handouts, assigned websites, lectures, films, 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.

Presentation: Once during the semester, each student will identify a contemporary use of ancient myth—whether in art, politics, marketing, etc.—and will present his/her finding, along with an explication of the underlying myth and an analysis of how the myth is used. (E.g. Mercury and FTD Florists).

The presentations should be 10-15 minutes in length and may include use of online or video materials. They will be graded on clarity, interest, and accuracy, and may be done at any time during the term but should be completed before Week 15. You should apprise your instructor (me) at least one week in advance of the date on which you wish to present.

Participation: Participation will be graded 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 student. 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. 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. Do not ask. A necessary (but not sufficient) requirement for any change of an individual’s final schedule is the signed and 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 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 50%
                                   Presentation = 25 points or 12.5%
                                               Final = 50 points or 25 %
                                  Participation = 25 points or 12.5%

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 the Director of Disability Services, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY), 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 Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787, htthttp:http://psychology.missouristate.edu/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, Siceluff Hall 296, (417) 836-4252. 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.

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Dis Volentibus!

(With gods willing!)