TERM: Summer 2011—Session I
COURSE TITLE: Classical Mythology
COURSE NUMBER: ENGL 351.01/CLCV 451.01/EURO 432
SECTION TIMES/DAYS: MW 4:00-7:00 pm
INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Matthew Dillon
COURSE DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL TOPICS
A systematic review of Classical Mythology, beginning with its roots in the ancient Near East,
through the great epic and tragic stories of the Greeks, to the variations and additions of the
Romans. The course will focus on primary sources, but attention will also be paid to the later
influences of myth on Western art and literature.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
In the course of reading the stories and commentary, students will:
learn the plot lines and major characters of Greek and Roman mythology,
recognize the iconography of and allusions to these major myth cycles,
understand the importance of myth for ancient and modern culture,
interpret the major themes of myths from historical, psychological, and/or literary-critical
perspectives via a major research paper.
PREREQUISITES/RECOMMENDED BACKGROUND
Previous exposure to Classical literature in translation is helpful, but not required or presumed.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Epic of Gilgamesh, trans. N.K. Sandars (Penguin 1972)
Classical Myth, (6th ed.), Barry Powell (Prentice Hall, 2009)
Amor and Psyche, E. Neumann (Princeton 1971)
COURSE WORK/EXPECTATIONS
Approx. 150 pages of reading per week; frequent quizzes; final exam; two papers (3 & 12 pages).
Format will be lecture (with Powerpoint) and discussion.
This course fulfills the following English Major requirement:
_____College Writing Requirement I
_____Lower Division/Pre-Major Requirement
_____Theory Course
_____400/500-level Writing
__X__Pre-1800 Lit.
_____Writing Elective
_____Post-1800 Lit.
_____Shakespeare
_____Comparative Lit. or Writing
_____Pre-Journalism Curriculum
_____Lit. Elective
_____American Literature Survey