Mythology Course Syllabus - English 230
Monroe Community College
Course Information Sheet
English 230—Mythology
Summer, 1998

 

INSTRUCTOR: Donna H. Cox

Office: 5-534

Phone: 292-3377

Office Hours: M–W 5:30–6:00

 

COURSE OBJECTIVES

 

This course is designed to give students an overview of the mythology of various selected cultures and to show the relation of mythology to our everyday lives. Attention will also be given to the creation myths through comparative mythology. At the end of the class students will be able to

 

  

TEXTS

Rosenberg, World Mythology 2nd Edition

Homer, The Odyssey of Homer (Mandelbaum translation)

 

 COURSE REQUIREMENTS

 

Specifically, you will be responsible to complete the following:   *Presentation: Each student, with partners, is responsible for a special project to be determined by the group. The project will include a written outline, a team conference with me, and an oral presentation.

 

(All students must participate in order to pass the class.)

 

 All major assignments (written paper, group project, and personal anthology) must be submitted to pass this class.

 

 

 ATTENDANCE Attendance is mandatory. Class participation will be a factor in determining your grade since you can't participate if you're not there. See College Bulletin. More than one missed class (which is equivalent to more than a week of class during a regular 15 week semester) may result in your recommended withdrawal. However, formal withdrawal is your responsibility, so don't count on my dropping you if you just stop coming to class. If you exceed the absence limit after I can no longer withdraw you, your grade may (at my discretion) be dropped a letter for each absence after the one permitted. Three late arrivals and/or early departures will count as one absence.

 

 MAKE-UP POLICY No make-up on missed class work, including quizzes. (If you arrive after a quiz, you missed a quiz.) Major exams may be made up only if I'm contacted within 24 hours, and then only at my discretion.

 

 GRADING Tentatively, grades will be based on the following units:   NOTE: All major assignments must be completed to pass this course. Late papers, accepted only at my discretion, will receive a minimum one-half letter grade cut per day late.

 

PAPERS: The following directions will save us both frustration. I won't be frustrated by unacceptable papers, and you won't be frustrated by my refusal to accept your paper or by an error in your final grade.

 
      1. All outside assignments, including take home exams, must be computer generated or typed. Keep a copy of all papers, especially those turned in late.
      2. On occasion students may be permitted to rewrite a paper for an averaged grade. The original must accompany any rewrite.
      3. Excessive grammatical or spelling errors (more than three) may result in a refused or a failing paper.
      4. Late papers will be accepted at my discretion only and will receive a minimum one-half letter grade cut.
      5. Parenthetical documentation is required on researched material (endnotes or footnotes are unacceptable).
      6. Papers not meeting minimum requirements may receive a failing grade and are very unlikely to receive a grade higher than a D.
      7. Keep all returned papers until after you receive your final grade
 

Myth Writing Assignments

Summer, 1998

 

You may choose from the following topics to write the required paper for this class.

 

Remember: Once a due date passes, you no longer have that assignment as an option.

 

Note: All papers must be typed or word processed.

Use the computers in the ELC (Bldg. 11) if you need access to a machine.

Hrs.: M–R: 7:30a.m.–11:00p.m. Sat. 9:00a.m.–5:00p.m.

 

 Students not meeting the minimum length requirements will receive a maximum grade of a D on the paper. Six pages means 6 full pages, not 5 1/2 pages; and I'm not looking for meaningless "fill the requirement" words, so select a topic challenging enough to you that you will meet the minimum requirements with quality information, not just basic wordy writing.

 

 Paper #1–June 10, 1998

 

Requirements: 6–8 pages,

Typed.

Documentation:

Parenthetical citation

 

 Write a paper discussing the journey of a hero, using at least two characters as examples. You may use modern characters (e.g. Superman) or classic heroes not discussed in class (e.g. Oedipus) as your examples. You should take each hero through each of the steps. Remember: the steps are often symbolic rather than literal.

 

Note: Your paper must include a discussion of the steps themselves, either separately or incorporated into your analysis of the heroes.

 

 Paper #2–June 15, 1998

 

Requirements: 6–8 pages,

Typed.

Documentation:

Parenthetical citation

 

Write a paper discussing the use of mythology in modern life. Note that this topic is extremely broad and thus will give you lots of leeway in actually developing a topic. I will list some possible topics for you, but you certainly are not limited to these ideas.

 

Possible topics: Mythology in film or literature

Mythology in astronomy

Mythology in advertising

 

 Paper #3–June 17, 1998

 

Requirements: 6–8 pages,

Typed.

Documentation:

Parenthetical citation

 

Discuss the use of Greek myths in literature. You may use a classical work, such as Oedipus or other Greek plays, or you may choose more modern works. Using any outside resources you choose, such as Hamilton's Mythology, write a paper showing how a knowledge of mythology can add a valuable resource in understanding and enjoying modern literature (poetry, short stories, or novels).

 

 Paper #4 - Due June 22, 1998

 

Requirements: 6–8 pages,

Typed.

Documentation:

Parenthetical citation

 

Choose a culture we haven't (and won't) cover in class; select a certain aspect of the culture (e.g. creation myths, heroes of the culture, fertility myths, etc.) and compare the culture to one or more of the cultures we have studied.