OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
GENERIC COURSE SYLLABUS
I.
II.
Course
Prefix
Course
Number
Course
Name
HUM
210
World Mythologies
Credit
Lecture
Lab
3
3
0
Prerequisites
None
III.
Course (Catalog) Description
Course explores the nature of mythology. Content includes themes, archetypal figures
and situations, symbolism and figurative language found in selected folklore and
legendary narratives. Comparative studies of two or more traditions are undertaken.
IAI H9 901
IV.
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, students will be able to
A.
Critically distinguish between mythology and other forms of cultural
discourse, such as religion, philosophy or science.
B.
Identify mythological motifs from three or more traditions and explain their
connection to the historical, social, religious and ethical context of the
particular culture in which the tradition develops.
C.
Identify universal themes which may be seen as common to mythologies of
different cultures.
D.
Develop an account of the contributions mythological heritages have made to
the self-understandings of cultures in the present, through sayings, stories,
moral lessons and folklore.
E.
Critically discuss and evaluate the philosophical and ethical content of these
mythological traditions and their contemporary relevance.
F.
Express respect for different cultures through the exploration of their
mythologies.
G.
Exhibit values related to teamwork and collaboration, fostered by the
pedagogy of shared-inquiry and critical dialogue appropriate to the humanities
and philosophy.
Generic Course Syllabus
HUM 210
V.
Page 2
Academic Integrity
Students and employees at Oakton Community College are required to demonstrate
academic integrity and follow Oakton’s Code of Academic Conduct. This code
prohibits:
 cheating,
 plagiarism (turning in work not written by you, or lacking proper citation),
 falsification and fabrication (lying or distorting the truth),
 helping others to cheat,
 unauthorized changes on official documents,
 pretending to be someone else or having someone else pretend to be you,
 making or accepting bribes, special favors, or threats, and
 any other behavior that violates academic integrity.
There are serious consequences to violations of the academic integrity policy. Oakton’s
policies and procedures provide students a fair hearing if a complaint is made against
you. If you are found to have violated the policy, the minimum penalty is failure on the
assignment and, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office
of the Vice President for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
Details of the Code of Academic Conduct can be found in the Student Handbook.
VI.
Outline of Topics
(This is a sample outline of topics. In your outline of topics please specify the dates on
which you will cover specific topics as well as other important dates, such as exams
and paper deadlines. The instructor may decide to take a thematic approach or a survey
approach. Below is an example of the survey approach. A thematic approach might, for
example, have a section on Myths of Creation, a section on Myths of the Fall, one on
Women in Mythology, etc.)
A. Introduction to Concept of Myth and Theories of Mythological
Dissemination
B. Mythologies of the Middle East and Africa
C. Ancient Mesopotamian Myth and the Gilgamesh Epic
D. Ancient Egyptian Myth and the Book of the Dead
E. Tribal and Islamic Mythologies of Africa
F. The relation between Mesopotamian and Biblical Mythologies
G. Mythologies of Ancient and Medieval Europe
H. The Epics of Greco-Roman Literature
I. Greco-Roman State, Popular and Hermetic Cults
J. Myths and Legends of Northern Europe
K. The Legends of Central European Romances
L. Mythologies of the Pacific Islands and the Americas
M. The Polynesian Myths: The Goddess Hina Cycle
N. Middles American Myths: Religions of the Aztecs and Mayans
Generic Course Syllabus
HUM 210
O.
P.
Q.
R.
S.
T.
U.
V.
W.
VII.
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Native American Myths: Blackfoot Hunting Cycles
Native America and Europeans: Chief Seattle and Black Elk
Mythologies of Asia
The Hindu Epics: The Ramayana and Mahabharata
Gods and Goddesses of Bhakti Hinduism
Myths of Ancient China and Japan
Myths in the Modern World
Mythology in Hero Literature and Science Fiction
Mythology in Modern Cinema
Methods of Instruction
Course may be taught as a face-to-face, media-based, hybrid, or online course.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Lectures and discussion
Small group work
Films
Student presentations and debates
Guest speakers
Field trips may be required
VIII. Course Practices Required
(Please include information here about all expectations you have for your students
regarding behavior, work, etc. The following are sample topics you may wish to cover.
Please be aware that you must require students in this course to produce at least 15
pages of critical written assignments over the course of the semester. These may be
assigned in a variety of ways including journals, response papers, field trip projects,
etc.)
A. Attendance
B. Standards for written work
C. Quizzes/Exams
D. Participation
E. Essays
F. Final Project
G. Special policies about make-up exams, late papers, or other matters of concern
IX.
Instructional Materials
Note: Current textbook information for each course and section is available on
Oakton’s Schedule of Classes.
Texts such as:
The Legendary Past. University of Texas Press, 1990, 4 volume servies: Mesopotamian
Myths. (Henrietta McCall), Egyptian Myths. (George Hart), Greek Myths. (Lucilla
Burn) and Norse Myths. (R.I. Paige).
Generic Course Syllabus
HUM 210
Page 4
The Masks of God. Joseph Campbell, Viking Press, 1976, 4 volume series: Primitive
Mythology. Oriental Mythology. Occidental Mythology. Creative Mythology.
(Second) Middle Eastern Mythology: From the Assyrians to the Hebrews. S.H. Hooke,
Penguin, 1988.
(Source) Gilgamesh. John Gardiner and John Maier, trans., Vintage Books, 1985.
(Second) Ancient Egyptian Religion. Stephen Quirke, British Museum Press, 1990.
(Source) The Egyptian Book of the Dead. Raymond G. Faulkner, trans., University of
Texas Press, 1990.
(Second) African Religions. Benjamin C. Ray, Prentice Hall, 1999.
(Source) Sunjata: The Gamian Version of the Mande Epic. Gordon Innes, Trans.,
Penguin Classics, 2000.
((Second) Classical Mythology. Mark P.O. Morford and Robert J. Lenardon, Longman,
1991.
(Source) The Iliad, The Odyssey. Aescylus, Sophocles, Euripides, or Ovid.
(Second) The Mythology of Native North America. David Adams Leeming and Jake
Page, University of Oklahoma Press, 1998.
(Source) American Indian Myths and Legends. Richard Erodoes and Alfonso Ortiz,
eds., Pantheon, 1985.
(Second) The Myths and Gods of India. Alain Danleou, Inner Traditions, 1991.
(Source) Hindu Myths. Wendy O’Flaherty, ed., Penguin Classics, 1975.
(Source) Tian Wen: A Chinese Book of Origins. Yuan Qu and Stephen Field, trans.,
New Directions, 1986.
(Source) Chinese Mythology: An Introduction. Anne M. Birrell, Johns Hopkins
University Press, 1999.
(Second) Myths and Legends of Japan. F. Hakland Davis, Dover, 1992.
(Source) Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan. Shoi Nihon and W.J. Aston, trans., Charles E.
Tuttle, 1972.
X.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
(In this section, please present the percentages or point breakdown of their final grade.
The writing assignments should count for at least 40% of the final grade. An example
follows.)
A. Quizzes/Exams……40 points
B. Essays……40 points
C. Final project with oral presentation……10 points
D. Attendance and participation………10 points
E. Grading scale: 90-100, A…….80-89, B………70-79, C……….60-69……..D
XI.
Other Course Information
A. Disabilities
If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may
be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request
Generic Course Syllabus
HUM 210
Page 5
accommodations or services contact the Access and Disability Resource Center at
the Des Plaines or Skokie campus. All students are expected to fulfill essential
course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement
of a course or degree program.
B. Discrimination
The Oakton Community College Catalog states:
Oakton Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed,
religion, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status in
admission to and participation in its educational programs, activities and services,
or employment practices. The College does not tolerate sexual harassment or
sexual assault by or of its students or employees.
In keeping with this policy of tolerance and non-discrimination, in this class all of
us (myself included) should strive to listen and give careful consideration to all
ideas expressed in class, especially those that are different from our own, without
attacking or demeaning the people who have those views. We should also strive to
avoid using insulting terms or telling offensive jokes when talking to or about
individuals or groups.
C. Instructor information
Office number and office hours:
Phone number:
Email and website:
Approval Dates:
(Faculty: Do not include the following information on your individual syllabi created for class
distribution.)
Effective beginning term:
Fall 2013
Ending term:
Syllabus prepared by: Hollace Graff
Date: March 2006
Revised by:
Date: June 2010
Mohamed Mehdi
Reviewed by Chair:
Hollace Graff
Date: June 2013
Approval by Dean:
Linda Korbel
Date
August 2010