Instructor
Hum 2310 Mythology Syllabus
Isabella Stryker
Course Description
Email
istryker@mail.valenciacollege.edu
Office Location
1-243 (Adjunct Office)
3-319 (Mailbox Location)
Examines world mythology in comparative perspective, analyzes myths with a
variety of methods, and considers the application of mythological ideas and symbols
in the humanities. Students must demonstrate college-level writing skills through
multiple assignments. Minimum grade of C required if used to satisfy Gordon Rule
requirement.
Office Hours
9:00-10:00 am MW
9:00-11:00 am TR
Classroom
Required Text
The World of Myth, Second Edition, David A. Leeming
A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertation; 7th or 8th
Edition; Kate L. Turabian
3-326
Class Time
9:00-11:45 am F
Objectives
This class is oriented to help students understand humanities from a mythological perspective. As this is a Gordon Rule
course, students will meet the *Gordon Rule requirements. It is expected that students use correct grammar, spelling and
sentence structure when preparing written assignments. To ensure that all students are aware of proper CHICAGO citation
format and proper outline format, we will review these concepts during our early classes. Please see the instructor if you
have a question pertaining to the writing requirement.
State Board of Education Rule 6A-10.030, the Gordon Rule, requires that students complete with grades of C or better 12
credit hours in designated courses in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing skills through
multiple assignments and six credits of mathematics course work at the level of college algebra or higher. These courses
must be completed successfully (grades of C or better) prior to the receipt of an A.A.
It is expected that the students will:
 Learn how mythology is used by various cultures to explain the world around us.
 Learn to apply various methodologies to analysis of myths from different cultures.
 Learn to interpret what we learn about a culture by studying its myths, rituals, and beliefs.
 Learn to analyze information presented in artistic media other than written form.
 Expand on communication skills through reading challenging material, building vocabulary, expressing
what others think in your own words, organize ideas and presenting them clearly.
 Experience personal growth and integration through personal interpretation of materials, examining
personal ideas and affirming/or changing thinking, feelings, values and perceptions in relation to diverse
human cultures.
 Further expand skills and competencies identified in the VC outcomes.
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Each student will strive to:
Think clearly, critically and creatively by analyzing and evaluating the many works, philosophies and a variety of concepts
covered in class.
Assess the Value of understanding the many aspects of humanities as they relate to life in the 21st century and the actions
of the artists of this age.
Communicate by reading, listening, writing, and speaking effectively.
Act in a way that will enable you to work to your fullest potential.
Course Schedule
*This syllabus is subject to change by the instructor at any time
Week
Subject
Assignments
Invictus
1
Jan 15
Intro to the class, syllabus, contract signed,
Invictus
2
Jan 22
INVICTUS DUE, What is a Myth? Types
of Myths
3
Jan 29
What is Myth? Types of Myths
Presentations
Research paper topic
4
Feb 5
TOPIC FOR RESEARCH PAPER DUE,
Archetypes & Gods
Research Paper
5
Feb 12
Archetypes & Gods Presentations
Research Paper
6
Feb 19
Creation, The Flood & Apocalypse Myths,
3D Projects assigned
3D Project, Research Paper
7
Feb 26
Creation, The Flood & Apocalypse
Myths Presentations, Mid-term assigned
8
March 4
Mid-term Jeopardy Game
3D Project, Research Paper
9
March 11
SPRING BREAK, NO CLASS
3D Project, Research Paper
10
March 18
MID-TERM DUE, NO CLASS
Portfolio assigned, Research Paper
11
March 25
3D PROJECT DUE
12
April 1
Hero Myths, Places and Objects Myths,
Portfolio assigned
13
April 8
RESEARCH PAPER & PORTFOLIO
DUE, Hero Myth & Places and Objects
Myths Presentations, Final Exam assigned
14
April 15
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Final Jeopardy Game
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15
April 22
FINAL DUE, NO CLASS
Student Conduct
Valencia Community College is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge and learning as well as the development of
responsible personal and social conduct. A Student Code of Conduct is available in the current Valencia Student
Handbook. By enrolling in this institution a student assumes responsibility for adhering to the rules of conduct found in
the handbook. There will be no tolerance for the breaking of any of the rules of student conduct.
Classroom Behavior
This is a discussion-based class. Often, you will be presented with points of view that may conflict with your own.
Academic debate is highly encouraged, but rude and offensive behavior toward any member of the classroom will not be
tolerated.
Other Responsibilities of the Student
Students are expected to know the rules regarding ethical conduct. Any student who breaches any rules regarding ethical
behavior risks failure. Some examples of such behavior include: plagiarism, cheating, and failure to document intellectual
material obtained during research. Any student who believes that she/he is unable to fulfill these responsibilities must
schedule an appointment immediately with the instructor to discuss any chances for success in the course.
Students with Disabilities
The Office for Students with Disabilities exists to determine and ensure reasonable and appropriate accommodations and
modifications for qualified students with documented disabilities, to assist students in self-advocacy, to educate the
Valencia community about disabilities, and to ensure compliance with the ADAAA, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act. Should you have a disability and need assistance, it is available.
Assignment Policy
Assignments are turned in on its due date, at the beginning of class. Every assignment will be submitted digitally and one
hard copy to the professor on the due date.
The Invictus response paper is worth UP TO 5 extra points.
Attendance and Participation (10 pts)
In order to have the greatest chance of success in this class, attendance and participation is required. The policy of this
class will be two excused absences. Excessive absences will have a negative impact on your final grade. After two
unexcused absences, 2 points will be deducted from your final grade per absence. Since this is 10% of your final grade, IT
IS IMPORTANT!
Those with perfect attendance at the end of the semester will receive 5 EXTRA CREDIT POINTS towards their grade!
Tardy- I will allow 3 unexcused tardies during the semester. After that, it is 2 points per unexcused occurrence off your
final grade.
Cell Phones / Laptops
Cellphones, iPhones and such are not permitted in class! If you are found, heard, or seen with your cell phone out I will
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collect it at the end of class. After the second occurrence, it will result in 2 points off your final grade per instance.
Laptops, ipads, and tablets are permitted for use in class. If the student is found on a non-class material site or not on task,
they will be required to put it away for the duration of class.
Presentation (20 pts)
You will be required to prepare and present a class. The subject will depend on which the student selects to present on.
Each student will provide a 2 to 3 page summary on your lesson, and a 15-20 minute presentation. Each presentation will
be due on the date and time specified on the syllabus. Presentation subjects are potential testable material and total 20% of
your final grade.
3D Project (10 pts)
You will be required to create a 3D project within the specified guidelines of the professor. It must be able to fit in the
room, be three-dimensional, and totals 10% of your final grade.
Cultural Event (10 pts)
In order to globalize our minds it is important to understand the world around us. Each student is required to write one
cultural event. The cultural event is meant to look at things happening in our world that typically would be overlooked in
everyday life. The cultural event must be approximately 500 words in length but not over 600 words. It is worth 10% of
your final grade.
Revisions
One of the goals of this class is to develop your ability to write at the college level. All assigned essays will be graded in a
timely manner and you will be given one week to make corrections to potentially earn a better grade. Individual meetings
can be arranged for further clarification of corrections. The only assignment not allowed a revision is the research paper;
only plagiarism cases will be permitted to revise.(Research paper revisions are due the following class) Submissions must
be accompanied with a writing center report. Education and success is my goal.
Portfolio (10 pts)
Since humanities is the study of humanistic traditions, this will be a study of ourselves. Each student will create a portfolio
of previous works from their academic journey. The portfolio will consist of copies of 2 GRADED works from 3 of the
following subjects: English/Literature, Science, Art/Art History, History, and Philosophy. These are the 5 pillars that make
up humanities. Duel enrollment students can use works from their current high school they are attending. All submitted
work must be graded to get full credit. This is worth 10% of your final grade.
If you successfully include works from all 5 areas, you will get UP TO 5 extra credit points.
Exams (20 pts)
This class will have 2 exams, one mid-term and one final. Collectively they are worth 20% of your final grade. Both of
these exams will be take home and open book exams. While these are open book exams, GROUP WORK OR
COLLABORTIVE WORK IS PROHIBITED AND WILL RESULT IN AN F FOR THE TEST/EXAM. As to what is
covered, it will be discussed closer to exam dates.
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Research Paper (20 pts)
Please obtain approval prior to beginning a paper or project. This paper/project will give students the opportunity to delve
into one aspect of humanities beyond those discussed in class. Each student will select a topic for which she/he wishes to
construct an academic writing. Upon approval of a topic it is expected that each student prepare a 7 to 10 page paper on
the subject. A minimum of 5 scholarly sources are required and a works cited/bibliography page. Each writing must cite
sources from academia to support the findings of the writer. Please include approximate dates/periods referred to by the
subject-matter. You may include information obtained in class. Be sure to provide documentation of all of your sources.
This is worth 20% of your final grade. All research must follow Chicago/Turabian formatting. NO WIKIPEDIA SHALL
BE ACCEPTED! Edu’s, Org’s, Gov’s are acceptable, remember scholarly papers need scholarly sources.
Plagiarism / Copyright
WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND RESULT IN AUTOMATIC FAILURE OF THE ASSIGNMENT,
POTENTIALLY THE CLASS, AND BE REPORTED FOR FURTHER ACTION!!! (When in doubt write it out or
ask for help.)
A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertation, 8th Edition states: You run the risk of plagiarism
when you have done one or more of the following:



“You cited a source but used its exact words without putting them into quotation marks or in a block quotation.”
“You paraphrased a source and cited it, but in words so similar to those of your source that they are almost a
quotation: anyone can see that you were following the source word for word as you paraphrased it.”
“You used ideas or methods from a source but failed to cite it.”
Please be mindful of copyright laws. They do apply to the student and Valencia College enforces it strictly.
Withdrawal Information
If a student believes that he/she cannot meet the goals of the course it is imperative that he/she officially withdraw from
the course. To receive a W, it is required that one withdraws before the deadline. Students who withdraw after the deadline
may be assigned an F. Students who simply stop attending class may receive a W or an F. Withdrawal Deadline - "W"
Grade (11:59 p.m.) April 1, 2016.
Grading Scale:
100 - 90 = A
89 - 80 = B
79 -70 = C
69 - 60 = D
59 and below = F
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Syllabus Contract
I hereby accept and will honor the syllabus stated above as a contract and will follow it. I _______________________
sign this contract with full knowledge that if I have ANY questions, I will consult with Professor Stryker to better
understand.
______________________________________
Name Printed
______________________________________
Signature
______________________________________
Valencia ID Number
_____________________________
Date
Why am I important??? I AM WORTH 2 EXTRA CREDIT POINTS!
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