LLT 321 Comparative
Mythology Spring 2018
Edwin
Carawan, Siceluff 115 -- Office Hour:
1:15 M-F
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. 17 ... Preface:
.....
sketch of Creation stories
Unit
I. Creation and the Cosmos -- Intro:
Goddess
and Shaman
Jan.
19 ... 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.
24-6 ... Treasures ch. 3-4 (77-116)
TD 77-91:
Gods
as Rulers (stele
of Naramsin) Enki World An & Co (family tree)
Jan.
29-31 ... Treasures ch. 4, cont. TD 95-143:
The
Sumerian Pantheon Rising ...
'Enki and
Ninhursag (in Dilmun)' Adapa
Feb.
2 ... 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.
9-12 ... 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. 16
... Quiz 2. (Feb. 19,
President's Day Holiday)
Feb.
21 ... Gilgamesh & Co.= TD 195-219 (Guide)
Feb.
23-6 ... Enkidu and the
Netherworld (excerpted)
[Feb.
28 ... Essay Outline is due; Mar. 7 essay is due
Essay 1: Creation--
Violence and Order ]
Unit II. The
Hero's Quest (continued) Timeline
Feb.28-Mar.
2... End of
the Iliad (16-24)= Homer 153-240
Mar.
5-7 ... Odyssey 9-13
Mar.
9 ... Odyssey 16-18
--Spring Break, Mar. 10-18--
Mar.
19 ... Odyssey 19-24
Review and
discussion
Mar. 21
... Quiz 3
Mar.
23-6 ... Norse
Myth I (NME chh, 1-2) Background
Mar.
28... Norse Myth II
(NME chh. 3-4)
Thor &
Thrym Thor & Loki
compared
(Spring holiday Mar.
30)
April
2-4 ... Norse
Myth III (NME chh. 6-7)
Gylfaginning 38-50 (Siring of Sleipnir, Journey to Utgard,
April
6-9 ... 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 ]
(no meeting 4/11-13)
April
16-18 ... Volsunga Saga 19-32 (Byock
65-92)
April 20 ... Quiz 4
April
23 ...
Burkert ch. 1:
defining Myth
April
25-27 … Burkert chh. 2-3 -- Ritual and
Scapegoat
April
30-May 4 … Burkert chh. 4-5
Goddesses & Guys Attis & Adonis … Telepinus
& Friends
May
7-9… Review and Discussion
Final Guide --- Summary of Recent Readings
OR
Essay 2 Journey Beyond
Final
Exam (or Essay due) Wed. May 16, 11am or
as arranged