Mythology
Syllabus
2015-2016
Instructor Information:
Teacher:
Christin Maatta
Room:
Belle Vernon Area High School, Room 106
Contact:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
http://www.bellevernonarea.net/bvahs
Required Text:
Edith Hamilton’s Mythology and World Mythology Textbook
Additional Resources:
Handouts provided
724-808-2500; ext. 2106
christin.maatta@bellevernonarea.net
Course Description:
The BVAHS World Mythology is based in Classical mythology where students will explore myths
from ancient Greece and Rome while on a journey of self-discovery. In addition to literature and
ancient history, throughout this course students will incorporate other disciplines like geography,
theater, psychology, sociology, religion and science. Students will create several projects that
will culminate in a Festival of Dionysis in the realm of Greek mythology. Students will also study
the monomyth and the hero’s journey as explained by Joseph Campbell. Finally, students will
discover the mythology of the British Isles.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, the successful student will be able to:
1. Evaluate how the author’s point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of text
2. Analyze multiple interpretations of a story, drama or epic poem
3. .Determine of clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple meaning word based on an
11-12 grade reading content using various strategies and tools
4. Read an comprehend literary fiction on grade level
5. Draw evidence from literary texts to support analysis, reflection and research.
6. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, and
focusing on addressing a specific audience.
7. Conduct short as well as sustained research projects to answer a question or solve a
problem.
8. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions on grade level
topics, texts and issues.
Academic Honesty:
Any work submitted by the student shall be his/her own. Work taken from others shall be
deemed as unacceptable. Any doubts will initiate the completion of an alternative assignment
or a zero on the required effort, depending on the severity of the infraction.
Class Policies and Expectations:
1.
Class will commence at the sound of the bell. Every student shall be prepared with
a pencil and binder and in their seats working on the posted assignment when the
bell rings.
2.
Every student shall have and keep an up to date binder that will include all handout,
notes, journal entries and homework in a neat, organized chronological order.
Binders will be graded once for every nine week grading period.
3.
Every student is responsible for any notes, assignments and assessments that are
missed due to absences. Assignments and daily work are posted on
bellevernonarea.net. Make-up work and worksheets will be available in the make up
bins in the classroom.
4.
Students will not get ready to leave until the teacher instructs them to. Work in this
class will be done from bell to bell.
5.
Students will be expected to adhere to the BVAHS Code of Conduct.
6.
Cellphones will be place in the appropriate space upon entering the classroom. If a
student does not comply and is found using the cellphone, for any reason, the phone
will be sent to the office. All cell phones will be away until told to use for research
purposes. If anyone is using a cell phone for any other reason the phone will be sent
to the office.
7.
The class will be established as more of a discussion rather than a lecture.
Students are encouraged to ask questions and provide mature and thoughtful
responses.
8.
Students are expected to be respectful of one another and their instructor. Only one
person speaks at a time. You will be expected to listen thoughtfully when someone
speaks and react appropriately.
9.
Students are expected to assume responsibility and take ownership of their efforts
and work. Learning is a reciprocal activity. It is not one-sided. The more you put
into this course, the more you will take away.
10.
Students are required to have their agenda book at all times and will not be
permitted out of the classroom without it. Students are to use the restroom facilities
between classes with the exception of true emergencies. Students will not be
permitted to leave the classroom to go to their lockers for any reason.
Course Grading Criteria:
All quizzes, tests, and projects will be graded according to the Belle Vernon Area School District
grading policy. Total points will be accumulated for all evaluated efforts in this class rather than
having letter grades per each effort. The grading scale is as follows:
A
B
C
D
F
-
90-100
89-89
73-84
63-72
0-62
Assignments per Quarter:
Homework
Journal Entries
Projects
Assessments
Writing Assessments
25 points each (approximately 2)
5 points each (approximately 8)
50 points each (approximately 8)
30 points each (approximately 4)
15 points each (approximately 4)
= 50 points
= 45 points
= 100 points
= 120 points
= 60 points
Reading Comprehension
Binder Grade
15 points each (approximately 4)
30 points
= 60 points
= 30 points
TOTAL POINTS = 50+45+100+120+60+60+30= 465 Points (approximate)
*Assignments or assessments may vary due to pace of class and individualized
instruction.
**A group project may be assigned in each quarter and will be worth a value of 25 points,
unless specified on a rubric.
Emphasis will be on formal assessments. Therefore grades will be weighted in this course.
Formal Assessments will account for 90% of a student’s grade (quizzes, tests, projects,
performance-based rubrics, essays, graded homework, etc.)
Informal Assessments will account for 10% of a student’s grade (homework for completion,
class participation, exit tickets, etc.)
Academic Standards:
Students will be reacquainted with the Pennsylvania Academic Standards that have been
adopted by the Department of Education, along with the Common Core Standards that are in
the process of being implemented nationwide. Students will be made aware of the importance
of the standards and the efforts to meet them.
Home Access Center:
If
Grades will be updated every Friday on the Home Access Center. If you lost or cannot
remember log in information, please contact our Child Accounting Department at 724-808-2500
ext. 1108.
Schoolwires (Website):
My website will be updated every Sunday. Course Topics, Assignments, and Quizzes and
Tests are also posted weekly.