Heartland Community College Course Syllabus
Division name: Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
COURSE PREFIX & NUMBER: HUMA 250
COURSE TITLE: Classical Mythology
Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets: Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00-12:15,
Room ICB 1704
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Prerequisite: ENGL 101 or equivalent with a grade of C or better. This
course is an interdisciplinary introduction to classical Greek and Roman mythology, with an emphasis on
understanding the varied sources of myths, their cultural context, and their function in society. The
course will consider how the characters and events of Classical Mythology have been represented in
literature, art, and culture from antiquity to the present.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name: Professor Ardis L. Stewart
Instructor e-mail address, if one: ardis.stewart@heartland.edu
Location of instructor’s office: ICB 2000 Suite
Hours and days of instructor’s office hours: by appointment
TEXTBOOKS: Powell, Barry. Classical Myth. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson,
2011. Print.
Supplies:
loose leaf or computer paper; all research papers, critiques, and other formal work
must be typed and stapled (so get a stapler if you don’t have one)!
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND TRANSFERABILITY:
HUMA 250 fulfills 3 of the 9 semester hours of credit in Humanities/Fine Arts required for the A.A. or
A.S. degree. It satisfies the Humanities component of this requirement. HUMA 250 should transfer to
other Illinois colleges and universities as the equivalent of the General Education Core Curriculum course
H9 901, described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative. However, students should consult an academic
advisor for transfer information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page for
information as well at www.itransfer.org.
Student Learning: Consistent participation in the course is essential to your success, because the
reading assignments, class discussions, presentations, and other activities are all geared to helping you
better understand how to carry out the major paper assignments effectively. There is room to negotiate
individually on deadlines, absences, and approaches to assignments if you are attending regularly, have
consistent participation, have extenuating circumstances that warrant such negotiation, and maintain
consistent communication with me.
Instructor’s Role: It would be great if you could just down load all my knowledge and experiences, but
that is not what education is all about. Think of me as your tour guide through this maze of information
that, for many of you, is foreign and to help you hone your analytical, rhetorical, and evaluative abilities.
If you need help—ask so I can help you find tutorial, library, reading, study skills, time management, or
other assistance programs.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes)
Course Outcomes
General
Range of Assessment Methods
Education
Outcomes
Identify ancient Greek and Roman deities and
CT1
Exams, quizzes, in-class activities, group
heroes, their attributes, deeds, rituals, and
projects, oral presentations[HCC3] , in- and
historical context.
out- of-class writing assignments
Recognize and appreciate some of the major
CO3
Exams, quizzes, in-class activities, group
artists and artistic works that have employed
projects, oral presentations[HCC4] , in- and
mythological themes and subjects.
out- of-class writing assignments
Understand and discuss the context,
PS1
Exams, quizzes, in-class activities, group
development, and function of mythology and its
projects, oral presentations[HCC5] , in- and
role as cultural artifact.
out- of-class writing assignments
Understand and articulate the major themes and
DI4
Exams, quizzes, in-class activities, group
ideas of Classical mythology which shaped the
projects, oral presentations[HCC6] , in- and
foundations of ancient thought and the thinking
out- of-class writing assignments
and institutions of the contemporary world.
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.”
COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
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Definition, Characteristics, and Types of Myth
Social, Cultural, and Historical Context of Classical Mythology
Social Implications and Function of Myth
Theories of Myth Interpretation, Transmission, and Translation
Myths of Creation & Decline
Gods & Goddesses
Death and the Underworld
Heroic Motifs
Legends & Heroes
Classical Mythology in Art
 Myth in the Modern World
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METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System): Student assessment is based
on the following:
Class Participation and Preparation
(includes homework assignments)
Exam #1:
Exam #2:
Exam #3
Exam #4
Research paper:
Summary (10%)
Rough Draft (10%)
Final Draft (70%)
Handout (10%)
Aphrodite and Ares paper
Conversation paper
15%
10%
10%
10%
10%
20%
10%
15%
For the final grade, points assigned to various activities may be adjusted to fit the above
percentages. Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
92-100 % = A
83-91 % =B
74-82 % =C
65-73 % =D
Below 65%=F
Mid-term Grades and Grade Updates: Midterm grades are based on the average of your exam
scores and completed papers to date and nothing else. Period. Coming to class on a regular
basis and turning in your homework does not impact your grade until the END of the semester.
Participation and preparation: Class participation is required. “Participation” means more
than being present in the classroom at the appointed time—coming in late, leaving early,
snoozing, chatting with your neighbor, text-messaging, and working on other projects for other
classes can mean the loss of your participation point(s) for the day. Homework assignments,
which make up most of the preparation part of your grade, do not receive points based on the
content of your responses. However, these assignment questions have been known to show up
on exams—so treat these assignments with the same seriousness you would a take-home exam.
Blackboard: The syllabus, paper assignments, chapter assignments and additional readings
outside of your textbook are posted to Blackboard. Consequently, there are no excuses for
turning in work late, or because you lost or could not find instructions. I do not post grades on
Blackboard (Check IRIS at MyHeartland for that), nor do I collect work on Blackboard (I only
grade paper copies).
Exams: All exams are open note (not open book).
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You may bring ONE (1) 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper of notes to each exam; these notes
may be handwritten or typed and can be on both sides of the paper.
You will be turning in your notes with your exams, so put your name on the notes.
No copies of someone else’s note sheets or photocopies from the textbook are allowed.
Students caught using their textbook and/or technology during the exams will receive a
zero for that exam.
Even though the exams are open note, you still need to study for these exams like any
other—you won’t have time to look everything up during the exam.
No credit will be given to exam answers that quote the textbook verbatim (so
paraphrase/use your own words in your assignment responses!), except for definitions.
Exams will be based on homework assignments and everything covered in class. Take
notes.
You must attend the final exam the day of the exam.
Absences: If you aren’t here, you aren’t here—regardless of the reason for your absence.
 If you miss class, it is your responsibility to get notes from your fellow students. Do not
ask me for a copy of my notes.
 Emergencies happen. To regain the participation points for missing one class hour (and
one class hour only) you may turn in a 1 page, single spaced typed paper, making a
whopper of an excuse—it doesn’t need to be (and shouldn’t be) the real reason you
missed class, and the more creative, the better.
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If you need to miss class due to your participation in certain college-sanctioned activities,
you must communicate your absence to me BEFORE the absence in a timely manner so
I can accommodate you.
Be pro-active. In case of illness or family emergency that requires missing more than one
class period, let me know early in the absence. Do not wait until the crisis is over. If you
cannot communicate your absence to me, have someone who can do so.
Excessive absences for any reason create an obstacle to completion of the course
(“excessive” is 20% --about 6 classes--or more of class missed over time, or 4
consecutive classes). This is not an online course, and if you are not here, you cannot
learn. Students with poor attendance should not expect the same treatment as
students with good attendance, and will be dropped from the class, which dropping
may impact your ability to receive financial aid in the future.
Make-up of exams: If you need to miss an exam,
 Do not ask for an accommodation for an exam in the classroom on the day of the exam in
front of your peers. E-mail me.
 Be prepared to provide third-party proof (doctor’s note, accident report, etc.) of need for
an extension.
 If you do not take the make-up exam during the scheduled make-up period, you will
receive a zero for the exam.
 Leaving for vacation, participation in weddings, expiration of leases, etc., are not
reasons to take an exam early or later, turn in assignments late, or receive
extensions. Students with housing leases that expire should make arrangements to
extend their leases, to make alternative housing arrangements, or to commute
during the final exam period.
Deadlines: Deadlines are there for a reason. If something terrible happens, talk to me.
Otherwise late work will result in loss of points or, depending on the assignment and lateness,
zeros.
 Chapter assignments will not be accepted after the exam as been given for those chapters.
 Papers and assignments due in a missed class should be dropped off in ICB Room 2000
as soon as possible. If your absence is scheduled, turn in assignment early.
 Late papers and assignments are turned in when I receive them (so even if you drop off
the assignment on Thursday at 4 pm, I may not receive it until Monday when I come to
teach, so the assignment is 5 days late).
 You are responsible for keeping track of due dates and other important dates pertaining to
the class. They are posted to Black Board with the assignment sheets.
 If I don’t return something to you that you turned in—please ask. It could have ended up
in the wrong grading pile if you turn it in late.
 Excessive failure to turn in assignments creates an obstacle to completion of the course. .
Students with multiple missing assignments can be dropped from the class, which
dropping may impact your ability to receive financial aid in the future.
E-mails:
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Always use “HUMA 250” in the message line so I know the e-mail is from a student (and
I can find it later if need be). If I don’t recognize the e-mail address, I might ignore it or
delete it unopened as junk. Also, sign your first and last name so I know who you are.
One semester, I had 5 “Kates” in one class!
If you e-mail me a question at 11:47 pm the night before your paper is due, chances are I
won’t be able to answer you in time. Do your best.
Same goes for weekends. I won’t get your message until Monday.
Check your Heartland email regularly, especially if you have emailed me for an
accommodation.
Do not rely on e-mailing your paper as an attachment. If I do not receive it, it’s the
wrong document, or I cannot read it, it isn’t turned in. Don’t expect me to reformat your
paper to meet the class requirements or to print it, or convert it or…. I only grade paper
copies; always follow up an e-mailed assignment with a paper copy. Refer to the
email on the paper copy.
If you contact me about a bona fide emergency in your life—don’t panic. Deal with your
emergency, send me a brief note as soon as you can, and we’ll discuss matters when you
return or over email.
If I give you an extension for any assignments, YOU must email me to confirm this.
Films: I like to show films in class (they make for good exam questions); however, be
considerate of your neighbors—no noise during the films. You should be watching the film, not
clipping your nails, munching on noisy food, texting, doing other class work, etc. Besides, food
isn’t allowed in the classrooms any way and your gadgets illuminate your face and send little
balls of light up to the ceiling over your head (so don’t be surprised if you lose participation
points because you weren’t paying attention).
Instructor needs: Do not ask me:
 “When are we going to get our exams/papers/etc. back?” especially the class just after
you’ve turned them in. Because of the special needs of some students, returning
papers/exams may be delayed. I try to get papers and exams back to students as soon as
possible.
 If I have your total grade calculated (see above)—the answer is “no”.
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To discuss your grade before 24 hours has passed after I have returned a major
assignment.
To e-mail you your grade before grades are officially posted by the college—the answer
is “no”.
Incompletes: I follow the official college policy, as found in the college catalog, as illustrated
by the following excerpt: “An incomplete grade may be given to a student who, by the
withdrawal date, can reasonably be expected to pass the course. Incompletes may be granted
only when justified by extreme circumstances (e.g. serious illness, accident, death or serious
illness in the immediate family).”
The Research Paper and other paper assignments: See separate Assignment Sheets in Black
Board for details.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism. Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they
were your own. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and may take the following forms:
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Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
Paraphrasing the work of another and not giving that source credit.
Adopting a particularly apt phrase as your own.
Using an image or a copy of an image without crediting its source.
Paraphrasing someone else’s line of thinking in the development of a topic as if it were your
own.
Receiving excessive help from a friend or elsewhere, or using another project as if it were
your own.
Note that word-for-word copying is not the only form of plagiarism. The penalties for
plagiarism may be severe, ranging from failure on the particular piece of work, failure in the
course or expulsion from school in extreme cases. [Adapted from the Modem Language
Association’s MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. New York: MLA, 1995: 26] See
the Heartland Community College Student handbook for more information on college policy.
Student Conduct: Students should come prepared by having read the readings assigned for that
class and given out the class before and by bringing assignments to class. The emphasis on this
class is maintaining an atmosphere conducive to learning. When you are late, arrive quietly. If
you leave early, depart gracefully and quietly. During presentations, listening to the presenter is
a form of participation.
Differences in perspective, values, and beliefs will surface in classroom discussions, classroom
activities, and presentations. The free exchange of ideas is encouraged, but intimidating or
disrespectful language and behavior have no place in such exchanges. Refer to the Democratic
Ethic description in the Course Guide and the College policies in the Heartland Community
College Handbook.
Student Services: See http://intranet/cas/docs/studentsyllabuspacket.pdf for information
regarding the Library, Testing Services, Tutoring Services, Disability Support Services, Open
Computing Lab, Writing Services, Academic Advising, Career Services, Counseling Services,
Financial Aid Office, Transcripts, Academic Integrity and Plagiarism, and Heartland’s
Philosophy of Grades.
Notice of Cancelled Class Sessions: Cancelled class sessions, for all HCC classes, will be
listed on the HCC Web site. Be sure to check the last column, which might contain a message
from the instructor.
Syllabus disclaimer: The class will be notified if changes are needed due to College closings,
severe weather, class progress, incorrect statements in this document, and unexpected demands
on the instructor.
Course Calendar (Due dates for each assignment and exams will be posted to Black Board;
dates are subject to change and will be posted to Black Board):
August 19: Syllabus and introductory activities
September 2: Labor Day—NO CLASS
September 11: Exam 1
September 23: Aphrodite and Ares paper due
October 7: summary for research paper due
October 9: Exam 2
October 28: rough draft of research paper due
November 6: Last day to withdraw from class
November 13: Exam 3
November 25: Final draft of research paper and handout due
November 27: Thanksgiving—NO CLASS
December 4: Exam 4 and Creative paper due (if you want it back with comments)
December 11: Final Exam, 10:00-11:50; Creative Paper due