LAKE-SUMTER STATE COLLEGE
LEESBURG, FLORIDA
CREDIT COURSE SYLLABUS
“In the beginning of all things, wisdom and knowledge were here with the animals; for Tirawa, the One
Above, did not speak directly to man. He sent certain animals to tell men that he showed himself through the
beasts, and that from them, and from the stars and the sun and the moon, man should learn. Tirawa spoke to
man through his works.”
--Chief Letakots-Lesa of the Pawnee Tribe to Natalie Curtis, c. 1904 (quoted in
Joseph Campbell’s Historical Atlas of World Mythology, Part 1 Vol. 1 p. 8)
COURSE/CRN:
LIT 2930/CRN 20171
COURSE TITLE:
Selected Topics in Literature: Myths, Legends and Folktales
CREDIT:
3 credits
TERM:
Spring 2016: 9:30-10:50 a.m. MW, LA2
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is problem-, issue-, subject-centered in its approach to the field of
literature. It provides an awareness of and appreciation for major themes and/or
writers through an in-depth study of specific literary works as they relate to the
selected topic. Possible topics include a Multicultural Approach to Literature, Comedy
in Literature, Shakespeare’s Tragic Vision, African-American Literature, Native
American Literature, and Myths, Legends and Folktales. In addition to written
exposition the course includes a substantive unit on oral skills and oral
communication.
INSTRUCTOR:
Melinda Simmons
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Faculty Office Building #2, Leesburg Campus
Phone: 352-323-3629
e-mail: simmonsm@lssc.edu
All students are required to use LakeHawk mail for official college e-mail
communications. See the college webpage for instructions on activating LakeHawk
mail.
OFFICE HOURS:
12:30-4 p.m. M, T, W and by appointment
PREREQUISITES:
C or higher in ENC 1102
TEXTBOOK AND OTHER
COURSE MATERIALS:
World Mythology 3rd edition by Donna Rosenberg and class handouts provided
by the instructor
TECHNOLOGY AND ONLINE
COMPUTER ACCESS
REQUIREMENTS:
Out-of-class essays must be typed. Assigned topics for papers will be posted on the
instructor’s website.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To introduce students to the concept that people of all nations and all cultures share
the urge to define and explain their existence and the world around them through
myths, legends and folktales.
STUDENT LEARNING
OUTCOMES (SLOs)
ASSESSED IN THIS COURSE:
Students will demonstrate originality in their work or in strategies to solve
problems, assess outcomes, and apply multiple solutions. Assessment will be
based on essays, essay tests, and a class presentation.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
The successful functioning of the academic community demands honesty, which is
the basis of respect for both ideas and persons. In the academic community, there
is an ongoing assumption of academic integrity at all levels. There is the expectation
that work will be independently thoughtful and responsible as to its sources of
information and inspiration. Honesty is an appropriate consideration in other ways
as well, including but not limited to the responsible use of library resources,
responsible conduct in examinations, and the responsible use of the Internet. (See
college catalog for complete statement.)
PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism means using the words or ideas of another and presenting them as one’s
own, and it is a serious academic crime. This includes stealing from a printed source
(using thoughts, words and ideas without attribution), turning in someone else’s
paper as your own (downloading a paper from the Internet), or allowing someone
else to turn in your paper as his/her work.
THE PENALTY FOR PLAGIARISM IS AN “F” FOR THE COURSE.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
FOR STUDENTS WITH
DISABILITIES:
Any student with a documented disability who requires assistance or academic
accommodations should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities
immediately to discuss eligibility. The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD)
is located on the Leesburg Campus, but arrangements can be made to meet with
a student on any campus. An appointment can be made by calling 352-365-3589
and specific information about the OSD and potential services can be found at
www.lssc.edu then go to “Quick Links” and click on Disability Services.
PRIVACY POLICY
(FERPA):
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20U.S.C.&1232g; 34 CFR
Part 99) is a federal law that protects the privacy of a student’s education records.
In order for your information to be released, a form must be signed and in your
records located in the Admissions/Registrar’s Office.
ATTENDANCE/
WITHDRAWAL POLICIES:
ATTENDANCE is essential to success and will be equally weighted with out-of-class
essays, essay exams, and the oral presentation as follows: missing no more than
two classes, A; 3 classes, B; 4 classes, C; 5 classes, D; 6 or more classes, F.
WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE:
The last day for student withdrawal from the class is Friday, March 25. School
policy mandates that a student who stops attending class without officially
withdrawing will earn an F.
METHODS OF EVALUATION:
The final grade will be determined by 2 out-of-class papers (1 of 3 dropped), a
midterm essay exam, a final essay exam, a class presentation, and attendance,
equally weighted.
GRADING SCALE:
90-100% = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; 59% or below = F
COURSE CALENDAR:
See below
CLASSROOM RULES
AND POLICIES:
1. The midterm and final essay exams will be open book, open note, 3-4 pages each.
2. Out-of-class papers (2-3 pages) on assigned topics must be typed, double-spaced,
and are due at the beginning of class. Papers will not be accepted once class has
begun. Please do not e-mail your papers to me.
3. The lowest grade (or missed assignment) of the 3 short papers will be dropped.
A student who writes the first 2 papers and is pleased with the grades on those
papers need not write the last one.
4. All students will give a creative 10-minute oral presentation to the class on
some element of myths, legends and folktales (more information to come).
5. ABSOLUTELY NO CELL PHONE USAGE IS ALLOWED DURING CLASS. This includes
texting and checking messages.
6. ABSOLUTELY NO LAPTOPS OR TABLETS ARE ALLOWED IN CLASS unless you have
written permission from the Office for Students with Disabilities.
VIOLENCE STATEMENT:
Lake-Sumter State College has a policy of zero tolerance for violence as
stated in College Board Rule 2.17. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken
in accordance with Board Rule 2.17.
SYLLABUS DISCLAIMER:
Information contained in this syllabus is, to the best knowledge of this instructor,
considered correct and complete when distributed to the student. The instructor
reserves the right, acting within policies and procedures of Lake-Sumter State
College, to make necessary changes in course content or instructional techniques
without prior notice or obligation to the student.
PROBLEMS?
Let’s talk. Drop by during office hours or make an appointment.
COURSE CONTENT:
1/6
Introduction to course; review syllabus, creative project presentation criteria
1/11
1/13
Read World Mythology pp. xi-xxi (preface and introduction). What is a myth? A legend? A folktale?
Read handout on Popol Vuh, Thanksgiving, Why Tadpole Loses Its Tail: introduction to finding
themes, motifs and symbols
1/18
1/20
NO CLASS – MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. HOLIDAY
Read Mythology pp. 82-92: Creation of the Titans and the Gods (Greek) and The Ages of Man
(Greek)
1/25
1/27
Read Mythology pp. 2-11 and pp. 22-25: The Enuma elish (Babylonian) and Telepinu (Hittite)
Read Mythology pp. 459-466 and pp. 475-477: The Creation, Death and Rebirth of the
Universe (Norse) and The Theft of Thor’s Hammer (Norse)
2/1
Video: “Egypt: Quest for Immortality”; understanding life after death
Paper 1 topics available on instructor’s website; review MLA style
Read Mythology pp. 12-21 and pp. 291-295: Osiris, Isis and Horus (Egyptian) and The Creation,
Death and Rebirth of the Universe (Hindu)
2/3
2/8
*2/10
2/15
2/17
Read Mythology pp. 509-514 and pp. 615-621: The Creation of the Universe and Ife (Yoruba)
and The Emergence (Navaho)
Read Mythology pp. 324-329 and pp. 335-338: The Creation of the Universe and Human Beings
(Chinese) and Amaterasu (Japanese)
Paper 1 due
Read Mythology pp. 351-359 and pp. 600-608: The Creation Cycle (Polynesia) and The Creation
Cycle (Aztec/Toltec)
The Hero Cycle (no reading assignment)
Bring to class the names of 3 entities you consider heroes: real or fictional, alive or dead
Submit idea for creative presentation
2/22
2/24
*2/29
3/2
Read Mythology pp. 26-40: Gilgamesh, Introduction & Chapters 1-4
Read Mythology pp. 40-56: Gilgamesh, Chapters 5-8
MIDTERM EXAM – bring textbook, notes, thought questions
Read Daniel Boone and Blackbeard (handouts): hero legends
SPRING BREAK – MARCH 7-11 – NO CLASSES
3/14
3/16
Video: “Le Morte d’Arthur” (The Death of King Arthur)
Sign up for class presentation date
Read Mythology pp. 418-439: King Arthur, Introduction and Chapters 1-4
3/21
3/23
Read Mythology pp. 439-455: King Arthur, Chapters 5-8
Read The Wolf Girl and The Lost Colony (handouts)
Paper 2 topics available on instructor’s website
1 presentation
3/28
Read ghost stories (handouts); bring your own ghost stories to share!
1 presentation
Read urban legends (handouts); bring an urban legend to share with the class
Paper 2 due
1 presentation
*3/30
4/4
4/6
4/11
*4/13
4/18
4/20
Aesop’s fables and folktales (handouts)
1 presentation
Read Sinbad (handout): hero folktale
Paper 3 topics available on instructor’s website
1 presentation
Fool tales, Devil tales and Riddle tales (handouts)
2 presentation
Child as Hero tale and Disobedient Child tales (handouts)
Paper 3 due
2 presentation
Princess tales (handouts)
2 presentation
Remaining 3 presentations
FINAL ESSAY EXAM: Wednesday, April 27, 10 a.m.-noon, LA2 NOTE LATER START TIME
*paper due dates
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
KEEP TRACK OF YOUR OWN GRADE …
Paper 1 _____
Paper 2 _____
Paper 3 _____
(drop one)
Midterm exam _____
Final exam _____
Oral presentation _____
Attendance _____ (no. days missed)