Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division name: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
COURSE PREFIX & NUMBER: LITR 114
COURSE TITLE: Storytelling: Oral Folklore and Myth
DATE PREPARED: 3/19/2015
DATE REVIEWED:
DATE REVISED:
PCS/CIP/ID NO: 11-230301
IAI NO. (if available):
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS: Spring 2016
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS: 3
LECTURE HOURS: 3
LABORATORY HOURS: 0
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisite:
-
Placement at college level English OR
Concurrent enrollment in ENGL 99/101
AND
Placement at college level reading
This course is an introduction to multicultural folklore and myth (western and non-western), with
an emphasis on the oral tradition. Students will examine the varied sources of stories, their
cultural context, and their function in society. Students will also be asked to consider the nature
of mythology through the study of folklore and legends, themes, archetypal figures/situations,
symbolism and figurative language, from different cultural and historical contexts.
TEXTBOOKS:
Representative Text: Yolen, Jane. Favorite Folktales From Around the World. New York:
Pantheon, 1988.
Or a comparable text that addresses at a minimum the topics listed in the Course Outline and that
provides students with the opportunity to achieve the learning outcomes for this course
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
LITR 114 fulfills 3 of the semester hours of credit in Humanities/Fine Arts required for
the A.A. or A.S. degree. This course should transfer as part of the General Education
Core Curriculum described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges
and universities participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic
advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to
www.iTransfer.org for information
Learning Outcomes
Course Outcomes
Identify significant
characters/archetypal figures,
tropes, symbolism, and
figurative language in varied
folklore and mythology across
different cultures and historical
periods.
Recognize and appreciate some
of the foundational stories and
myths from various cultures and
historical contexts, including
exploration of common and/or
recurring themes.
Understand and discuss the
context, development, and
function of mythology and its
role as cultural artifact.
Understand and articulate the
major themes and ideas of oral
mythology/storytelling which
shaped the foundations of
ancient thought, and how that is
reflected in contemporary world.
Essential
Program
Competencies Outcomes
CT1
PO1
PO2
CO3
PO3
PO6
PS1
PO4
PO5
DI4
PO4
PO5
PO6
Range of Assessment
Methods
Exams, quizzes, in-class
activities, group projects,
oral presentations[HCC3] , inand out- of-class writing
assignments
CT1 (Critical Thinking Outcome 1): “Students gather knowledge, apply it to a new situation, and
draw reasonable conclusions in ways that demonstrate comprehension.”
CO3 (Communications Outcome 3): “Students listen in order to comprehend information,
critique and evaluate a message, show empathy for the feelings expressed by others, and/or
appreciate a performance.”
PS1 (Problem Solving Outcome 4): “Students can solve problems based on examples and
frameworks provided by instructor.”
DI4 (Diversity Outcome 4): “Students explain the contributions of diverse perspectives to the
development of various fields of inquiry and to society as a whole, and re-examine their own
values and beliefs in light of the insights they have gained from their study of other cultures.”
PO1- Identify and describe course-relevant events in literary history
PO2- Analyze and evaluate course-relevant literary elements
PO3- Demonstrate receptivity to perspectives of others by questioning and
responding to those perspectives respectfully and productively
PO4- Describe and discuss how author and reader identities affect the writing &
reading of texts
PO5- Write about texts for multiple purposes including (but not limited to)
interpretation, synthesis, response, summary, critique, & analysis
PO6- Contribute, through writing, their own ideas & opinions about a topic to an
ongoing conversation in ways that are appropriate to the context
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:






Definition, Characteristics, and Types of Oral Narratives and Myths
Social, Cultural, and Historical Context of Storytelling
Social Implications and Function of Myth
Theories of Myth Interpretation, Transmission, and Translation
Major Themes in Storytelling and Oral Narrative
Function and Repercussion of Stories and Oral Narrative in the Modern World
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Instructors may determine the most appropriate methods of evaluation for their course. These
methods of evaluation might include but are not limited to exams, quizzes, in-class activities,
group projects, oral presentations, and in- and out- of-class writing assignments.
Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
92-100 % = A
83-91 % =B
74-82 % =C
65-73 % =D
Below 65%=F
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
This course requires a minimum of 3000 words (10 pages) of writing across all assignments,
some of which will include formal writing with the introduction of secondary research and
literary interpretation techniques.
There will also be approximately 20 pages of reading per week, including the textbook(s) and
appropriate supplementary reading assignments.*
*All estimates based on a 16 week course schedule. Please note if your class is not a 16 week class your
weekly reading assignment will be increased.