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LLT 121.998 Classical Mythology – Fall, 2007                           11:00 TTH; 329 Craig Hall
Instructor: J. A. Johnson                                                Office: 382 Craig

Office Phone: 836-5122                                  Office Hours: 8-9:30; 1:45-2:15 TTH, 382 Craig
E-mail: JulieJohnson@missouristate.edu                                 8-9:00 Sat, 204 Strong Hall                                                                                                                                                    and by appointment              

Texts:  Ovid, Metamorphoses, translated by Rolfe Humphries (Indiana U. Press)    
            Homer, Odyssey, translated by Albert Cook (Norton Critical Edition)

                  Plus various handouts                    

          

 

 

 Films: Clash of the Titans, Jason and the Argonauts, Black Orpheus, O Brother, Where Art Thou, Midsummer Night’s Dream; Phoenician Women

Schedule Test Study Guide
Syllabus Presentation Form

Tentative Schedule
(Consult online course page regularly for any adjustments to the schedule)

Date                                 Class                                                              Reading Assignments

Wk 1          Greetings & Overview   Classical Mythology                          Ovid – pp 3-27
(Aug 21/23) Ovid & Homer; Cosmogonies                                            (Creation – Jove & Io) 
Greek Creation      Olympians - Children of Cronus/Saturn    Olympians - Children of Zeus    Hesiod's Ages of Man                           

Wk 2   Man vs. Gods – nature of the beast                                               Ovid – pp 28-54
(Aug 28/30) 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 4/6)       Ovid - 3               Ovid - 3.2                                    (Europa – Pentheus & Bacchus)  
                                                         Danielle (House of Envy), Samantha (Echo), Ryan W (Pentheus)

Wk 4  Myth as inspiration     Ovid - 4                                                  Ovid – pp 81-100
(Sep 11/13) Midsummer Night’s Dream                                 (Daughters of Minyas – End of Cadmus)
                                                                    Amber (Pyramus & Thisbe), Kelly (Mars & Venus)

Wk 5     18th - Test 1    Ovid - 5                                                       Ovid – pp 100-133
(Sep 18/20) 20th – Film: Clash of the Titans                                       (Perseus – Minerva’s tales)    
                                                                                                           Ashley (Proserpina)
                                                                                     
Wk 6  Moral Compasses – cultural values/gender roles                          Ovid – pp 133 - 152
(Sep 25/27) Theory revisited – Ceres & Proserpina                       (Niobe – Tereus, Procne, Philomela)
              Ovid - 6                                                                                Lauren (Niobe)                                                                                                        

Wk 7 Theories of myth – historical                                                          Ovid – pp 153 - 180
(Oct 2/4) Film: Jason and the Argonauts                                       (Jason & Medea – Cephalus & Procris)
             Ovid - 7                                                                              Caleb (Aeacus), Heidi (Cephalus)

Wk 8  Mythic dysfunctional families                                                        Ovid – pp 181 -- 198
(Oct 9/11) Pattern to Heroes                                                           (Nisus & Scylla – Brand of Meleager)
               Ovid - 8                                              Alex (Scylla), Amanda (Calydonian Boar), Kyle (Theseus)

Wk 9   16th – Test 2                                                                                  Ovid – pp 200-237            
(Oct 16)   Further heroes...and one or two good examples         (Baucis & Philemon – Orpheus & Eurydice)
     Ovid - 9a    Ovid - 9b  Nate (Baucis & Philemon), Samantha (Hercules), Amanda (Dryope), Bethany (Orpheus & Eurydice)

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

Wk 10  Film: Black Orpheus                                                                     Ovid – pp 239 - 261                                          
(Oct 23/25)  Adaptation of myth                                                         (Ganymede – death of Orpheus)            
           
Ovid - 10 

                                    [ Deadline for no-penalty drops.]

Wk 11    Backstory of Troy                                                                        Odyssey, Books 1-4
(Oct 30/Nov 1)  Troy A             Troy B            Book I, ODY                  Ovid – Walls of Troy, p 265                -                                                                                                                     Invasion of Troy, p 285       
            Ryan J. (Atalanta), Kasey (Pygmalion), Amanda (death of Orpheus), Jamie (Midas), Steve (Hyacinthus & Apollo)                                                                       Brittni (Invasion of Troy), Sarah (Battle of the Centaurs)

Wk 12  8th – Test 3                                                                                   Odyssey, Books 5-8
(Nov 6/8)   6th- Books 2,3,4 - Steve on Odyssey 1, Ryan W., Amanda Harmsworth
                                     

Wk 13  Sagas & Songs: Faraway Places with                                              Odyssey, Books 9-12
(Nov 13/15)  strange-sounding names...                                            Ovid – Argument between Ajax & Ulysses
                 Film: Phoenician Women                                                              and Fall of Troy, pp 305-320
                  13th- Books 5, 6, 7, 8 - Amanda Heil Ody 5, Nate, Kasey Ody 7, Jamie 
                  15th- Books 9, 10, 11, 12 - Amber, Sarah, Danielle Ody 11, Caleb Ody 12

Wk 14  Home at last! (cf. homecoming vets)                                               Odyssey, Books 13-16
(Nov 20)  20th-Books 13, 14, 15, 16 - Ashley Ody 13 Ryan J Ody 14, Bethany, Samantha B. Ody 16
                            ----------------------Thanksgiving Break------------------

Wk 15  27th  - Test 4                                                                                      Odyssey, Books 17-20
(Nov 27/29)   29th- Books 17, 18, 19, 20 - Kelly, Alex, Lauren, Heidi

Wk 16  What now? (cf. Tennyson)                                                                  Odyssey, Books 21-24
(Dec 4/6)  4th-Books 21,22,23,24 - Amanda Downard, Brittni, Samantha G., Kyle Ody 24

                                                            Final – 11:00, Tuesday, Dec 11th

                                                                                          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 in expressing values and communicating 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:

Class:  Class time will be spent in a combination of lecture, discussion, films, and student presentations.  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.] Each student will take the helm on two occasions during the term to steer the class.

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, 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.

 2 Presentations:

1. Each student will select a story from the collection assigned in Ovid to teach to the class during the week that story is assigned.  It is the student’s responsibility to dream up creative ways to present the myth and to engage his/her colleagues in discussing the chosen myth.  Presentations will be graded on the basis of the student’s knowledge of the story, effectiveness of communication, and engagement of the class.  The presentation should run 10-15 minutes.

2. Each student will select one book of the Odyssey to teach to the class during the week that the book is assigned.  It is the student’s responsibility to dream up creative ways to present the myth and to engage his/her colleagues in discussing the chosen myth.  Presentations will be graded on the basis of the student’s knowledge of the story, effectiveness of communication, and engagement of the class.  The presentation should run 15-20 minutes.

These presentations may include use of online or video materials.

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.  In particular, at the beginning of each class every student will have the opportunity to identify a contemporary use of ancient myth that he or she has recently observed—whether in art, politics, music, marketing, etc.  The participation grade will be enhanced and the course enriched by your volunteering such information as often as you can.  Observation of mythic references in contemporary culture and presentation of these to the class is necessary to achieve higher than a ‘C’ in participation.

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.   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 (25 points each) or 44 %
                              2 Presentations =  50 points (25 points each) or 22 %
                                               Final = 50 points or 22 %                                                                                                                      
                                  Participation =  25 points or 11 %

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 and/or Professor Art Spisak, Director, Honors Program.

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 9:30 or 12:30 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, Learning 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, 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.