Home!        LLT 121.4 Classical  Mythology
                                            11:00 TTH - 201 Madison Hall
Instructor: J. A. Johnson                                                                      
Office: 382 Craig                                    Office Hours: 8-9:00 TTH and 9-10:00 MW 382 Craig
Office Phone: 836-5122                                   9:00-9:30 TTH 201 Madison Hall and by app’t.                                                                                          
E-mail: JulieJohnson@missouristate.edu                                                                                                                            
Texts:  Ovid, Metamorphoses, translated by Rolfe Humphries (Indiana U. Press)      
            Homer, Odyssey, translated by Albert Cook (Norton Critical Editions)                          
                    plus assorted handouts

Films: Clash of the Titans, Jason and the Argonauts, Black Orpheus, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Midsummer Night's Dream

                                                                     Tentative Schedule
Date                            Class                                                                     Reading Assignments

Wk 1          Classes Cancelled                                                                    
(Jan 16/18)                                                                                                
  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 3-54
(Jan 23/25)     Creations                                                                          (Creation – Goddess Envy)   
        Ovid - 1                 Ovid - 2                    

                              
Wk 3   Theories of Myth – scientific                                                        Ovid – pp 54-80
(Jan 30/Feb 1)  “myth as primitive explanation”                                  (Europa – Pentheus & Bacchus)    
         Ovid - 3                 Ovid - 3.2     

Wk 4   Theories of Myth – psychological                                                Ovid – pp 81-100
(Feb 6/8) “myth as dream”                                                         (Daughters of Minyas – End of Cadmus)
          Ovid - 4
 

Wk 5     15^th - Test 1                                                                                
(Feb 13/15) 13^th – Finish Theban Cycle                                                                  

Wk 6  Moral Compasses – cultural values                                               Ovid – pp 100 - 152
(Feb 20/22)  Film: Clash of the Titans                                                  (Perseus– Tereus, Procne, Philomela)

 Ovid 5 Perseus                                   Ovid 6  Minerva to Tereus, Procne, and Philomela

Wk 7 Theories of myth – historical                                                          Ovid – pp 153 - 180
(Feb 27/Mar 1) Film: Jason and the Argonauts                           (Jason & Medea – Cephalus & Procris)

Ovid 7 Jason to Cephalus & Procris

Wk 8  Family Matters                                                                               Ovid – pp 181 -- 198
(Mar 6/8)                                                                                        (Nisus & Scylla – Brand of Meleager)

Ovid 8 Nisus and Scylla to the Calydonian Boar and Meleager

  Wk 9   13^th – Test 2                                                                                  Ovid – pp 200-237             
(Mar 13/15)   Legends – Definitive heroics                              (Baucis & Philemon – Orpheus & Eurydice)

                       ---------------Spring Break-----------------                   

Wk 10  Film: Black Orpheus                                                                      Ovid – pp 239-261         
  (Mar 27/29)                                                                                        (Ganymede – death of Orpheus)

     Ovid 10 Ganymede to Adonis                                   [ 27^th – Deadline for no-penalty drops.]

Wk 11    Backstory of Troy                                                                         Odyssey, Books 1-4
(Apr 3)    Homer 11 Trojan War A        Trojan War B       Odyssey 1-4

                                           ------------Spring Holiday--------------

Wk 12  12^th – Test 3                                                                                     Odyssey, Books 5-8
(Apr 10/12) Odysseus at last!! 

             Odyssey 5-8    

Presentations:  April 10th - Alicia, Jordan R.

                                12th

Wk 13  Sagas & Songs: faraway places with                                              Odyssey, Books 9-12
(Apr 17/19)  strange-sounding names...
            Odyssey 9-12

Presentations:  April 17th - Adam, Scott

                               19th - Elisha, Bridgette, Samantha, Whitney

Wk 14  Home at last! (cf. homecoming vets)                                               Odyssey, Books 13-16
(Apr 24/26)
Presentations: April 24th - Jason, Kara, Colene

                              26th - Ryan Y, Tyler, Simon, Jordan K.

                       Odyssey 13-16

Wk 15  1^st -Test 4                                                                                    Odyssey, Books 17-20
(May 1/3)  Film: O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Presentations: May 1st - Mark, Danelle

                             3rd - Nathan, Rachel, Breauna, Craig
                        Odyssey 17-20

Wk 16  What now? (cf. Tennyson & Brooke)                                            Odyssey, Books 21-24
(May 8/10)

Presentations: May 8th - Christina, Blair, Ben

                            10th - Ryan G, Tony, Kevin, Brock
                        Odyssey 21-24

                                                            Final – 11:00 , Thursday, May 17

                                                                               top  

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.

Course Objectives:

• Acquire familiarity with basic Greek and Roman myths as shown in ability to speak and write about them. (Know what the myths are, both storylines and characters.)
• Acquire understanding of the source, transmission, and cultural function of these tales in their original contexts as shown by an ability to recognize and interpret allusions to myth.  (Know why and how they were handed down to us.)
• Acquire appreciation of the proven and ongoing power of ancient myth and its use in contemporary times, as shown by the recognition of myths used now. (Know how they still appeal.)
  
   
• Acquire appreciation for the ancient poetic sources and uses of myth through assimilation of primary sources as shown by an understanding and appreciation of Ovid’s and Homer’s works. (Know why generations of people 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.]

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, discussions, activities, and whatever else is pertinent.

Presentation: 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 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) 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 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, 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 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., an 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 StateUniversity 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 Learning 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.