CLAS 4/51301 Sect. 001 Classical Mythology- Fall 2008
2:15-3:30 T-Th. McGilvrey 234
Instructor: Dr. Jennifer Larson
304-B Satterfield Hall, 672-1801 Dept. phone –2150
email: jlarson@kent.edu
Office hours: 12:00-2:00 Tues and Thurs, 2:00-4:00 Mondays, or by appointment
Course Description: This course surveys the myths of the ancient Greeks and examines
theories of their interpretation. Some attention is also paid to the impact of
Greek mythology upon the Romans. Beyond a basic familiarity with the deities,
heroes and heroines of Classical mythology, students will gain an understanding
of the following concepts:
1. the relationship between Greek myths and Mediterranean geography.
2. the relationship between local and Panhellenic myths and the roles of epic
poetry and Athenian tragedy in disseminating myths.
3. the relationship between Greek mythology and the practice of Greek religion.
4. past and current theories of the interpretation of myths.
For the study of Greek myth it is important to read original versions as they
were told by ancient poets; the Morford and Lenardon text contains a generous
sampling of these texts and we will be reading several Greek tragedies. Students
will also emerge from the course with a working knowledge of mythology in Western
art, especially Greek vase painting, the richest source of these images.
Texts:
Morford and Lenardon, Classical Mythology (8th edition)=CM
Grene and Lattimore, Greek Tragedies Vol. 3=GT
Websites:
http://www.personal.kent.edu/~jlarson/
Go to this site and click on “Classical Mythology” for lists of terms
you should use to follow along in the lecture and to study for each test; sample
test questions; and web access to the images for which you are responsible. Bookmark
this page so that if you lose this syllabus, you can print another one from the
website.
http://www.oup.com/us/companion.websites/9780195308044/
This is the site for the Morford and Lenardon textbook, which you can also reach
by Googling “Classical Mythology Morford Lenardon.” Here you can
find outlines of each chapter, glossaries, and other materials.
Grading and Class Requirements:
Good attendance at lecture is the best predictor of a good grade. On examinations
you will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of material in the lectures as
well as material in the texts. You are responsible for all assigned material
including lectures, web materials and texts, but I will provide some guidance
to help you prioritize the material for study. Each exam will include short answers,
essays and a section of images for identification.
Midterm exams will be given Thurs. Oct. 2 and Tues. Nov. 13.
Midterms and final are worth 30% each; the final is cumulative. You will be asked
to write a short
paper (5-8 pages) worth 10%; more details about the paper topics are available
on the website and the paper is due the last day of class. No late papers will
be accepted except in cases of illness or family emergency. Also, I do not give “extra
credit” except for occasional bonus questions on exams.
Graduate Student requirements: If you are taking the course
for graduate credit,
you will be required to do the following extra assignments:
• write a research paper on a topic in Greco-Roman or comparative mythology
in
lieu of the paper assigned to undergraduates (10-12 pages, 10%)
• read two additional books about mythology (check with me to approve your
choices
or get suggestions) and write reviews of them (2-5 pages each, 5% each, due
on
the two midterm dates).
• Each test will be worth 25% and you will have an additional essay on
the final
exam (the final is 30%).
Makeups: Permission in all cases must be obtained from the instructor
prior to the scheduled exam time. If I am not available you may leave a message
with the
department secretary. If you miss an exam or turn in a late paper without notifying
me first, the grade will be entered as an F.
Tardiness: Everyone is late once in a while. Chronic lateness
is discourteous to the instructor and to the other students. Please make every
effort to be on
time.
Recording, cell phones and electronic devices: Do not record
my lectures without my permission. Keep the ringer on your phone turned off as
a courtesy to me and
to the other students. If you must take a call during class (e.g. from a sick
child), leave the room quietly. No electronic devices are permitted during tests
(cell phones, ipods, etc.)
Students with Disabilities: In accordance with university policy,
if you have a documented disability and require accommodations to obtain equal
access in
this course, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester.
Students with disabilities must verify their eligibility through the Office of
Student Accessibility Services.
Academic Misconduct: Cheating and plagiarism (representing others'
ideas or words
as your own) are never acceptable. Anyone found to be cheating
or plagiarizing will receive an F for the test/assignment and possibly for the
course. I may
also refer the case to student conduct court for further review. If you have
any questions about how or whether to cite a source using footnotes and bibliography,
please
ask. Any system of citation (MLA, Chicago, etc.) is acceptable for papers as
long
as
you
use
it
consistently.
Schedule of Lectures and Assignments: This schedule is subject to change. I recommend
that you read each chapter before coming to class.
Aug. 26: Historical Introduction CM Chapter 2
Aug. 28: Interpreting myths CM Chapter 1
___________________________________________
Sept. 2: Creation Myth Part I CM Chapter 3
Sept. 4: Creation myth Part II CM Chapter 4
____________________________________________
Sept. 9: Zeus and Hera CM Chapter 5
Sept. 11: Poseidon and Athena CM Chapters 7 and 8
_____________________________________________
Sept. 16: Aphrodite and Hermes CM Chapters 9 and 12
Sept. 18: Artemis and Apollo CM Chapters 10 and 11
____________________________________________
Sept. 23: Dionysus, Pan GT Bacchae (pp. 191-260) CM Chapter 13
Sept. 25: Demeter, Hades and Persephone CM Chapter 14
___________________________________________
Sept. 30: The Afterlife, Orpheus CM Chapters 15 and 16
Oct. 2: EXAM I
_________________________________________
Oct 7: The Theban Saga; GT Oedipus at Colonus (pp. 107-189), CM Chapter
17
Oct. 9: The Mycenaean Saga Part I, CM Chapter 18
________________________________________
Oct. 14: The Mycenaean Saga Part II GT Eumenides (pp. 1-41)
Oct. 16: Trojan War Saga Part I CM Chapter 19
__________________________________________
Oct. 21: The Trojan War Saga Part II, GT Philoctetes (pp. 43-105)
Oct. 23: The Returns; Odysseus CM Chapter 20
_________________________________________
Oct. 28: Perseus and Argos CM Chapter 21
Oct. 30: Heracles Part I; CM Chapter 22
________________________________________
Nov. 4: Heracles Part II, GT Alcestis (pp. 263-313)
Nov. 6: Athens; image review CM Chapter 23
________________________________________
Nov. 11: HOLIDAY (Veterans Day)
Nov. 13: EXAM II
________________________________________
Nov. 18: Theseus
Nov. 20: Jason and the Argonauts I CM chapter 24
______________________________________
Nov. 25: Jason and the Argonauts II
Nov. 26 through 28: Thanksgiving break
________________________________________
Dec. 2: Ovidian myths; catch up CM Chapter 25
Dec. 4: Roman myth; CM Chapter 26; papers due
Final Examination: 12:45-3:00 December 11 (Thursday)
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