Mythology 希臘羅馬神話
Sophomores 英二
Fall 2011
Thu. 8:30-10:10
4 Credits; elective
Miranda Chen
ES
Office: ES 518; 29052854
020851@mail.fju.edu.tw
Objectives:
Welcome to the world of myths! The course will provide you with the richest and, probably, the oldest
seeds and influence of western thoughts and ideas—Greek and Roman myths, along with important
legends and influential folktales of the ancient Classical times. Covering a variety of topics, motifs, and
themes, the course will explore various dynamic effects and impact of the ancient myths on the
succeeding centuries and the modern world—in literature, arts, and other aspects of life, such as trends of
thinking and fashions. The class will be conducted thematically in lectures, group projects, and peer
discussions. Visual arts will also be added to the class occasionally. Faithful attendance and
self-motivated preparation and participation of the class are highly emphasized for the course.
Class Requirement:
*All the students should get into groups of three and all the groups are expected to perform a short
play (around 10 minutes) with script (written by the members, typed), a simple stage and stage
properties, interesting costumes and acting.
**All the members should share the preparation and presentation in roughly equal portion.
If there
is a shortage of actors/actresses, one member can play different roles. Or, members from other
groups can be invited as guest roles, which will be credited with extra scores for the semester.
***Also, all the groups need to discuss with the instructor at least three days before the presentation.
Grading Policy:
Midterm Exam.
Presentation, Research & Quizzes
Power point
*Attendance, Preparation & Participation
Text:
Powell, Barry B.
40%
25%
25%
10%
Classical Myth. 5th Ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 2007.
References:
Hamilton, Edith. Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes. New York: Little, Brown
& Co., 1969.
M.L. West., translation. Hesiod: Theogony; Works and Days. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1999.
Ovid. Metamorphoses. Taipei: Bookman, 1955.
*Zimmerman, J. E. Dictionary of Classical Mythology. Taipei: Bookman, 1964.
Mythology 希臘羅馬神話
Fall 2011 2
Tentative Syllabus:
Sep. 15
22
29
Oct. 6
Introduction to the course:
What is a Myth? (Ch. 1)
Cultural context of Classical Myth (Ch. 2)
The Development of Classical Myth (Ch. 3)
Myths of Creation I: The Earliest Deities & Genealogy (Ch. 4)
The Children of Chaos
The Children of Gaea
13
Myths of Creation I: The Rise of Zeus (Ch. 4)
The Epoch of Zeus: Order & Hierarchy
20
Myths of Creation II: The Creation of Mankind (Ch. 5)
Prometheus—Maker & Protector of Mortals
Pandora—Source of all Misfortune
27
Men and Their Gods: (Ch. 5)
The Five Races
Nov. 3
Myths of the Olympians—The Male Deities
Zeus & Hera (Ch. 6)
10
Myths of the Olympians—The Male Deities (Ch. 7)
Poseidon—Lord of the Deep
Hades—King of the Dead
Apollo—God of Prophecy
17
Myths of the Olympians—The Male Deities
Hephaestus—God of Smiths (Ch. 7)
Ares—God of War & Blood Lust
Hermes—Trickster God of Wayfarers
Pan—the Goatherd’s God
24
Midterm
Mythology 希臘羅馬神話
Dec. 1
Fall 2011 3
Myths of the Olympians—The Female Deities (Ch. 8)
Aphrodite, Artemis & Athena
Hestia—the Hearth
Pygmalion
*Topics for the Power point
8
Myths of Fertility—Demeter (Ch. 9)
Demeter & Persepone
The Eleusian Mysteries
15
Myths of Fertility—Dionysus (Ch. 10)
The Cult of Dionysus
Birth of Drama
22/29
Myths of Love (Edith Hamilton: Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods & Heroes)
Cupid & Psyche
Pyramus & Thisbe
Orpheus & Eurydice
Pygmalion & Galatea
Apollo & Daphne
Other Love Stories
**Power point due
2012
Jan. 5
12
Myths of Love--continued
Class Wrap-up: Presentation & Comments
There is no Final Exam., but you have to come. Anyone who fails to come will be
jeopardized with a zero grade for the Final Exam.