Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
Days and times the course meets:
Mondays from 6:00 – 8:50 p.m., ICB 1703
Catalog Description:
An interdisciplinary introduction to classical Greek and Roman mythology, from the myths of creation to the legends of gods and heroes. Myths and legends are related not only to their own time and culture but are traced through the later art and culture of Western civilization, through their expression in literature, painting, sculpture, music, and film, revealing how they have influenced thought, art, and cultural events that are still with us today.
Instructor Information:
Instructor name: Constance DeYoung Groh, Ph.D.
Phone number to contact instructor: (309) 662-6689, before 9:00 p.m., please; in cases of emergency, you may call the Humanities and Fine Arts Division Secretary at
(309) 268-8635.
Instructor e-mail address: Connie.groh@heartland.edu
or cdgroh@aol.com
(use
latter e-mail for situations involving urgency)
Location of instructor’s office: ICB 2000 (HFA Office)
Required Textbook:
Barry B. Powell, Classical Myth . Fourth edition. With translations by Herbert Howe. Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2004.
Relationship to Academic Development Programs and Transfer:
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.
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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
Course Objectives (Learning Outcomes):
After completing this course, a student should be able to:
1. Identify the principal gods, goddesses, heroes, and heroines of Greek and Roman mythology.
2. Recognize some of the major artists and works of literature, painting, music, and sculpture that have employed mythological themes and subjects.
3. Understand the various ways that classical mythology has shaped the thinking and institutions of the contemporary world.
4. Recognize and define such terms as hamartia, in medias res, Dionysian, metamorphosis, Hellenistic, and others.
5. Articulate and communicate the major themes and ideas found in classical mythology, showing the continuity between ancient thought and the present time.
Course/Lab Outlines:
1. Myths of Creation
2. Cronos and the Titans
3. Zeus' Rise to Power
4. Zeus, Hera, and Their Children
5. Deities, Divinities, and Monsters
6. Athena
7. Aphrodite and Eros
8. Artemis and Apollo
9. Hermes and Dionysus
10. Hades and the Afterlife
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11. The Theban Saga
12. The Trojan Saga
13. Odysseus
14. Hercules
15. Perseus and the Legends of Argos
16. Theseus and the Legends of Attica and Crete
17. Jason and the Argonauts
Methods of Instruction: Methods of instruction will include interactive lecture, group panel discussion, video presentations, and other methods aimed at encouraging student participation.
Course Policies:
Method of Evaluation (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Course grades will be determined by total points accumulated during the semester, up to a possible total of 1000 points. Points will be assigned as follows:
Quizzes (4 quizzes @ 100 points per quiz) = 400 points
First paper = 50 points
Second paper = 100 points
Third paper = 125 points
First class presentation
Second class presentation
Class participation
Final Examination
= 25 points
= 75 points
= 25 points
= 200 points
Final grades will be determined according to the following percentage scale:
92 to 100% = A
83 to 91.9% = B
74 to 82.9% = C
65 to 73.9% = D
Below 65% = F
Failure to take the final examination will result in failure of the course, regardless of the student’s cumulative point total.
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Attendance:
Attendance at every class period is expected. If a student is unable to attend class for a reason such as contagious or serious illness, serious illness in the immediate family, or urgent personal obligation, the student is expected to notify the instructor by telephone or email before the class session takes place. If this proves impracticable, the student should contact the instructor by telephone or email as quickly as possible after the missed session. The instructor may excuse absences when such timely notice is given. The instructor reserves the right to require medical verification of illness or other proof of need for absence.
In the event of an absence on the date of any in-class quiz or examination (including the final examination), the student is expected to make up the quiz or examination at the Testing Center.
Please see the instructor for further detail regarding make-ups.
Class Participation:
Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the readings assigned for the session.
All assigned readings are to be completed prior to class in order to facilitate classroom discussion. Class participation is a component of the course grade, as set out above. Elements of the participation score include such factors as attentive attendance and involvement in class discussions. (Mere physical presence does not necessarily constitute “attentive attendance.”)
In the case of an extended excused absence from class, the student may arrange an approved make-up assignment in order to compensate for the participation points not credited due to the absence. (In most cases, the make-up assignment will consist of a short paper setting out the student’s response to the readings assigned for the days that class was missed.) Failure to submit the approved make-up assignment will result in a zero for the class participation component of the missed sessions.
Incompletes:
Please refer to the official college policy set out in the Heartland Community College Catalog.
Note in particular the following policy statement: “Incompletes may be granted only when justified by extreme circumstances (e.g., serious illness, accident, death or serious illness in the immediate family).” A student’s heavy workload or dissatisfaction with his/ her grade does
NOT constitute justification for granting an incomplete.
Extra Credit:
The instructor reserves the right to offer extra credit opportunities during the semester. Each such opportunity will receive the number of points stated at the time the opportunity is offered, and the points will be added to participating students’ cumulative point total.
Make-up of tests and assignments; Deadlines:
Work must be submitted in accordance with deadlines stated in the syllabus, except as otherwise negotiated between the student and the instructor. The instructor reserves the right to negotiate
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with students regarding the taking of any missed quizzes and the make-up of work not handed in or otherwise completed on a timely basis. The grade given to work not submitted according to approved arrangements may reflect an appropriate penalty.
As noted, missed tests are to be taken in the Testing Center (see separate heading, below), subject to the approval of the instructor.
Papers and Class Presentations:
There are three papers to be written outside class and two in-class presentations .
The first paper will be a four-page paper reflecting the student’s outside research relating to a selected classical author or other figure from the classical world. This figure will also be the focus of the student’s first in-class presentation. A sign-up sheet for the subject of the first paper and the first in-class presentation will be circulated during the first class session. The due date of the first paper is set out in the Course Calendar, below.
The second paper will be a five-page paper reflecting outside research regarding selected texts that will be discussed in class, and will provide the foundation for the student’s second class presentation. The second paper will be due on the date of the student’s second presentation. A sign-up sheet for the topic and due date of the second paper and for the second in-class presentation will be circulated during the second class session.
The third paper will be a six-page paper reflecting outside research relating to later adaptations of classical myth. Options as to the general approach that students may take in satisfaction of this requirement will be discussed in class. The due date of the third paper is set out in the
Course Calendar, below.
In addition to in-class discussions of these assignments, the instructor will provide handouts detailing requirements, as needed. PAPERS MUST CONFORM TO THESE REQUIREMENTS
AND TO STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY REQUIRED BY THE COLLEGE (see
“Academic Integrity and Plagiarism,” below). Note, for example, that papers that do not address the assigned topic may be given a failing score.
As noted above, each student will make two in-class presentations. The first presentation will be about ten minutes in length and will focus on the life and work of the classical author or figure designated by the student as his/ her first paper subject at the first class session. The student may, if desired, utilize available classroom technology (overhead projection, power point, etc.).
The second presentation will require the student to lead the class discussion regarding the text that he/ she designates at the second class session. The second presentation will be about twenty minutes in length. The student may choose the precise format of the presentation and may, if desired, utilize available classroom technology (overhead projection, power point, etc.).
Student presentations should be made on the assigned date. However, in the case of an absence that has been excused due to a student’s contagious or serious illness, serious illness in the
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immediate family, or urgent personal obligation, a make-up date will be arranged. In the case of unexcused absence, the student will receive a zero for the missed presentation.
Student Conduct:
In order to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning and to the ready exchange of ideas, students are expected to show respect for one another and for the instructor. We anticipate that class discussions may engender disagreements, and open and honest debate is encouraged.
If you need to arrive late or leave early, please enter or leave quietly.
Quizzes are generally scheduled for the beginning of a class session that will include activities following the completion of the quiz. Participation in the entire session is expected.
Please refrain from packing up books and backpacks prior to the end of a class session. Such activity is distracting to other students and can interrupt the effective “wrap-up” of a course topic.
For further discussion, please refer to the College policies section of the Heartland Community
College Catalog.
Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:
Academic Integrity:
Academic integrity is a fundamental principle of collegial life at Heartland Community College and is essential to the credibility of the College’s educational programs. Moreover, because grading may be competitive, students who misrepresent their academic work violate the right of their fellow students. The College, therefore, views any act of academic dishonesty as a serious offense requiring disciplinary measures, including course failure, suspension, and even expulsion from the College. In addition, an act of academic dishonesty may have unforeseen effects far beyond any officially imposed penalties.
Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to cheating, aiding or suborning cheating or other acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism, misrepresentation of data, falsification of academic records or documents and unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems. Definitions of these violations may be found in the college catalog.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the presenting of others’ ideas as if they were your own. When you write a paper, create a project, do a presentation or create anything original, it is assumed that all the work, except for that which is attributed to another author or creator, is your own. Plagiarism is considered a serious academic offense and may take the following forms:
1 Copying word-for-word from another source and not giving that source credit.
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2
3
4
5
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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’s 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]
Support Services:
Heartland Library Information
The Library, located in the Students Commons Buildings at the Raab Road campus, provides
Heartland students with a full range of resources including books, online journal databases, videos, newspapers, periodicals, reserves, and interlibrary loan. Librarians are available to assist in locating information.
For more information please call the Library (309) 268-8200 or (309) 268-8292
Tutoring Center
Heartland Community College offers tutoring in various forms at no cost to
Heartland students at the Academic Support Center (ASC) in Normal and at the Pontiac and Lincoln Centers. Tutors are available at convenient times throughout the week.
Study groups, group tutoring facilitated by a specially-trained tutor, are also available by request. For more information about services available at each location, please call the
ASC in Normal (309) 268-8231; the Pontiac Center (815) 842-6777; the Lincoln Center
(217) 735-1731.
Testing Center
The Testing Center provides a quiet environment for students to complete make-up exams, online exams, and exams for students with special accommodations. Students may be able to complete exams in the Testing Center if arrangements are made with their instructor. For more information, contact the Testing Center at (309) 268-8231.
Open Computing Lab www.hcc.cc.il.us/divisions/asc/complab
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The Open Computing Lab provides free computing for HCC students at convenient times throughout the week. The computer lab is staffed by trained Lab Assistants and offers the use of approximately 70 computers, a scanner, a laser printer, and an electric typewriter.
Syllabus disclaimer:
Changes in this Syllabus may be required for reasons such as College closings, severe weather, class progress, inadvertent inaccuracies in the document, or unexpected demands on the instructor. If such changes are needed, the class will be notified as soon as practicable.
Use of this Syllabus:
Subject to the disclaimer noted above, this Syllabus is intended to provide the student with a guide to all course assignments and due dates. Students are expected to keep their copies of the
Syllabus for reference on a regular basis. If, however, the Syllabus is inadvertently lost, students must contact the instructor immediately to obtain a replacement copy.
Course Calendar:
Class 1 – Monday, August 22, 2005:
FIRST PAPER TOPIC SIGN-UP
Introduction to Course, Syllabus, Textbook, Assignments
HCC Safety Video
Introduction to “Mythology”
Introduction to Perseus Digital Library
The Nature of Myth
The Cultural Context of Classical Myth: An Introduction to Ancient Greece
Class 2 – Monday, August 29, 2005:
SECOND PAPER TOPIC SIGN-UP
The Cultural Context of Classical Myth, continued
Reading Assignment:
Powell, Chapter 1, pages 1-15; Chapter 2, pages 16-49
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2005: LABOR DAY. NO CLASS.
Class 3 – Monday, September 12, 2005:
FIRST PAPER DUE
FIRST PRESENTATIONS
The Development of Classical Myth: Beginnings, Influence of Near Eastern Myth
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The Development of Classical Myth: Greek Myth in the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic
Periods; Roman Appropriation of Greek Myth
Reading Assignment:
Powell, Chapter 3, pages 50-74.
Class 4 – Monday, September 19, 2005:
FIRST PRESENTATIONS CONCLUDED
Myths of Creation
Reading Assignment:
Powell, Chapter 4, pages 75-108; Chapter 5, pages 109-137.
Class 5 – Monday, September 26, 2005:
QUIZ ONE (covers Powell, Chapters 1 through 5 and associated class discussions)
SECOND PRESENTATIONS BEGIN
Myths of the Olympians: Zeus and Hera
Myths of the Olympians: The Male Deities
Reading Assignment:
Powell, Chapter 6, pages 138-154; Chapter 7, pages 155-195.
Class 6 – Monday, October 3, 2005:
Myths of the Olympians: The Female Deities
Introduction to Myths of Fertility
Myths of Fertility: Demeter
Reading Assignment:
Powell, Chapter 8, pages 196-220; Chapter 9, pages 221-253.
Class 7 – Monday, October 10, 2005:
Myths of Fertility: Dionysus
Myths of Death: Encounters with the Underworld
Reading Assignment:
Powell, Chapter 10, pages 254-287; Chapter 11, pages 288-317.
Class 8 – Monday, October 17, 2005:
QUIZ TWO (covers Powell, Chapters 6 through 11 and associated class discussions)
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Introduction to Heroic Myth
Perseus and Myths of the Argive Plain
Heracles
Reading Assignment:
Powell, Chapter 12, pages 318-327; Chapter 13, pages 335-350; Chapter 14, pages 351-
362.
Class 9 – Monday, October 24, 2005:
Heracles, continued
Theseus and the Myths of Athens
The Myths of Crete
Oedipus and the Myths of Thebes
Reading Assignment:
Powell, Chapter 14, pages 362-387; Chapter 15, pages 388-420; Chapter 16, pages 421-
446.
Class 10 – Monday, October 31, 2005:
Oedipus and the Myths of Thebes
Jason and the Myths of Iolcus and Calydon
Medea
Reading Assignment:
Powell, Chapter 17, pages 447-474; Chapter 18, pages 475-510.
Class 11 – Monday, November 7, 2005:
QUIZ THREE (covers Powell, Chapters 12 through 18 and associated class discussions)
The Trojan War
The Fall of Troy
Reading Assignment:
Powell, Chapter 19, pages 511-546; Chapter 20, pages 547-567.
Class 12 – Monday, November 14, 2005:
The Return of Odysseus
Reading Assignment:
Powell, Chapter 21, pages 568-597.
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Class 13 – Monday, November 21, 2005:
THIRD PAPER DUE
The Return of Odysseus, continued
“O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
No reading assignment.
Class 14 – Monday, November 28, 2005:
QUIZ FOUR (covers Powell, Chapters 19 through 21 and associated class discussions)
Roman Myth
Reading Assignment:
Powell, Chapter 22, pages 598-617.
Class 15 – Monday, December 5, 2005:
Roman Myth, continued
Theories of Mythic Interpretation
Conclusions
Final Exam essays distributed
Reading Assignment:
Powell, Chapter 22, pages 617-632; Chapter 23, 633-662.
FINAL EXAMINATION
Date and time to be announced
The Final Examination will be CLOSED BOOK. The examination will include essay and objective components. The essay options, which will draw on material from the entire course, will be distributed on the last day of class (as noted above in the Course Calendar), but during the exam session, answers must be written from memory. Objective questions will be drawn from Powell, Chapters 22 and 23.
Note: Failure to take the final examination will result in failure of the course, regardless of the student’s cumulative point total.
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