Classics 170A
Classical Mythology
Fall 2015
Classroom: Mandel G12
MW 3:30-4:50 pm
Teaching Fellows:
Maša Ćulumović
Office: Mandel 214
e-mail: mculumovic@brandeis.edu
Office Hours:
MW 10-11am and by appt.
Anna Belza (belza12@brandeis.edu)
Owen Weatherbie (owen.weatherbie@gmail.com)
I. Description
This course will explore the myths and legends of ancient Greece and Rome and the light they
cast upon ancient conceptions of human existence, male and female identity and values,
civilization, nature and the divine. The embodiment of myths in Greek literature and art will be
a central focus of the course, as will the role of myth in religious ritual and belief. We will also
be examining some of the principal modern theoretical perspectives on myth in general and on
classical myths in particular.
II. Objectives
1. To acquaint the student with the range and nature of the classical myths, in particular those
myths which have entered the permanent heritage of Western civilization and which are thus
part of the American cultural identity. We will be paying attention to what Greek myths do and
do not share with the myths of other peoples, both those peoples who came into contact with
their culture and those far removed from them in space and time. Thus, this course will be
concerned with the relationship between myth and cultural identity.
2. To use classical myths as windows on ancient views of what it means to be a human being -- a
member of a species precariously perched between the gods and the beasts, and always capable
of deviating in either of those directions. Discovering ancient views of human existence,
identity, and values through myths will refine and expand our own sense of what it means to be
human.
3. To study the way myths and legends are embodied in several forms of Greek literature
(especially epic, hymn, tragedy, and lyric poetry) and in the visual arts. In particular, the
students will be expected to demonstrate and improve upon their critical and analytical skills
(in both oral and written form) through practice of close reading and interpretation of material
evidence.
4. To analyze and evaluate Greek myth firmly in the historical, social, cultural, and religious
setting of ancient Greek city-states.
5. To explore some of the more prominent ancient and modern modes of interpreting ancient
myths. In particular, the contributions of the modern fields of anthropology, psychology, and
comparative religion will be synthesized and assessed.
III. Texts
Fritz Graf, Greek Mythology: An Introduction. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Edward Tripp, The Meridian Handbook of Classical Mythology. Plume.
Hesiod, Theogony & Works and Days, trans. by M.L. West. Oxford World’s Classics.
The Homeric Hymns, trans. by Michael Crudden. Oxford World’s Classics.
Euripides, Bacchae, trans. by Paul Woodruff. Hackett Publishing Company.
Homer, Odyssey, trans. by Richmond Lattimore. Harper Perennial.
Sophocles, The Three Theban Plays, trans. by Robert Fagles. Penguin Classics.
Aeschylus, The Oresteia: Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, The Eumenides, trans. by Robert
Fagles. Penguin Classics
Apollonius of Rhodes, Jason and the Golden Fleece (Argonautica), trans. by Richard
Hunter. Oxford World’s Classics.
IV. Class Format and Course Requirements
This is a Four-Credit Course, which means that in addition to the three hours of class time per
week students are expected to spend a minimum of 9 hours of study time per week in
preparation for it (this includes readings, papers, preparation for tests, etc.)
Class meetings will be largely devoted to discussion, with occasional lectures. Completion of
each day's reading assignment before the class meeting is essential for the extraction of
maximum profit from the time spent in class. Otherwise, you will experience the frustrations of
Tantalus!
There will be a midterm examination (Wed., Oct. 21, in class) and a final examination
(tentative date: Wed., Dec. 16, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm). Be sure to note carefully the date of the final
examination and make your travel arrangements accordingly.
Both exams will be divided into sections which are worth an ascending number of points:
1) identification of important names and concepts;
2) identification of and commentary upon short key extracts from the primary readings;
3) essay (only in the final exam)
There will also be quizzes to diagnose familiarity with the material, especially the primary
readings.
One paper will be required (3-5 pages), due in class on Sept. 29. Further guidelines about it will
be provided, but the topic will involve Greek ideas about the early years of the universe.
Course grade breakdown:
Paper: 15%
Midterm: 25%
Final exam: 30%
Participation (including quizzes): 30%
V. Other Policies:
1. Attendance and Participation: Attendance in this course is required and a thoughtful and
consistent participation in class discussions is expected. Unexcused absences will adversely
affect your grade so you should let me know in advance if you are unable to attend a class.
Please come to class prepared to speak, having read the assigned readings beforehand, and
preferably with your own notes/summaries/questions at hand. Each class meeting and every
course unit builds upon the previous one, so you should plan to work steadily throughout the
semester to ensure maximum results.
2. Extensions: Paper extensions and incomplete grades are granted only for extraordinary
reasons such as family emergencies and serious illness. To request an extension for these or
other reasons, notify me before the deadline if possible (you may be asked to supply
supporting documentation). Late papers and assignments will be docked in proportion to their
lateness.
3. Academic Honesty: You are expected to be honest in all of your academic work. For all
policies and procedures related to academic integrity, please consult Section 4 of Rights and
Responsibilities handbook (http://www.brandeis.edu/studentlife/srcs/rr/index.html). Instances
of alleged academic dishonesty will be forwarded to the Director of Academic Integrity.
Potential sanctions include failure in the course and/or suspension from the University. If you
have any questions about my expectations, please ask. Citation and research assistance can
also be found at LTS Research Guides (http://guides.library.brandeis.edu/c.php?g=301723).
4. Electronics: Please turn off and stow away your cell phones for the duration of the class. Use
of laptops during class for note-taking or referring to the assigned readings can be helpful to
learning. But if you’re the kind of person who cannot resist the temptation to take a peek at
email or other websites, you should just keep your laptop off and stowed away. Using laptops
during class for non-class related work is disrespectful to me and distracting to other students.
5. Religious Observance: Please review the syllabus to determine if there are any conflicts
between class time and your religious observance. It is your responsibility to inform me of any
conflicts within the first two weeks of the semester. If you miss class due to religious
observance, you will be expected to complete any work missed and you may be required to
submit additional assignments to make up for the missed class time. Missing a class due to
travel plans associated with a particular holiday does not constitute an excused absence.
6. Disability: If you are a student with a documented disability on record at Brandeis University
and wish to have a reasonable accommodation made for you in this class, please see me
immediately.
7. Student Athletes: If you anticipate missing class due to your athletic schedule, you should
provide me with a letter - at the beginning of the semester – from the Athletic Director
verifying your participation in a varsity sport, and containing the schedule for the team. No
accommodation should be expected for practices.
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES
Readings are to be completed by the class meeting under which they are listed.
Unit One: Beginnings
1. Mon., Aug. 31
Introduction to class. Theories of Myth.
2. Wed., Sept. 2
Theories of Myth.
Reading: Graf, Introduction, Chapter 1 (pp. 1-34)
3. Mon., Sept. 7
NO CLASS (Labor Day)
4. Wed., Sept. 9
Theories of Myth. The Early History of the Gods.
Readings: Graf, Chapter 2 (pp. 35-56)
Hesiod, Theogony
Graf, Chapters 3 & 4 (pp. 57-100)
5. Thur., Sept. 10
The Triumph of Zeus.
Reading: Jean-Pierre Vernant, "The Union with Metis & the
Sovereignty of Heaven." (handout)
6. Mon., Sept. 14
NO CLASS (Rosh Hashanah)
7. Wed., Sept. 16
The Early History of Man. Origins and Nature of Greek Religion.
Readings: Hesiod, Works & Days, lines 1-382 (pp. 37-48)
John Gould, "On Making Sense of Greek Religion" (handout)
Unit Two: The Greeks and their Gods
8. Mon., Sept. 21
The Gods and their Royal Couple.
Readings: Tripp, entries on Zeus and Hera
Extracts from the Iliad, Books 1 & 14 (handout)
Quiz 1
9. Wed., Sept. 23
NO CLASS (Yom Kippur)
10. Mon., Sept. 28
NO CLASS (Sukkot)
11. Tue., Sept. 29
Muse-Leader Apollo.
Readings: Tripp, entry on Apollo
Homeric Hymn 3: To Apollo
Graf, Greek Mythology, Ch. 5 (pp. 101-120)
Paper Due
12. Wed., Sept. 30
Demeter and her Daughter.
Readings: Tripp, entry on Demeter
Homeric Hymn 2: To Demeter
13. Mon., Oct. 5
NO CLASS
14. Wed., Oct. 7
Laughter-Loving Aphrodite.
Readings: Tripp, entry on Aphrodite
Homeric Hymn 5: To Aphrodite
Sappho, Hymn to Aphrodite (handout)
15. Mon., Oct. 12
Athena and Hermes: Crafts and Craftiness.
Readings: Tripp, entries on Athena and Hermes
Homeric Hymn 4: To Hermes
Homeric Hymns 11 & 28: To Athena
16. Wed., Oct. 14
Dionysos: The Great Loosener.
Readings: Tripp, entry on Dionysos
Homeric Hymns 7 & 26: To Dionysos
Euripides, Bacchae
17. Mon., Oct. 19
Orpheus and "Orphism." The Dead, Heroes, and Chthonic Gods.
Readings: Tripp, entry on Orpheus
Euripides, Bacchae
Walter Burkert, Greek Religion, Ch. IV (pp. 190-208)
(handout)
Quiz 2
Unit Three: The Dead and the Heroes
18. Wed., Oct. 21
Midterm Examination
19. Mon., Oct. 26
Oedipus: The Great Riddle-Solver.
Reading: Sophocles, Oedipus the King
20. Wed., Oct. 28
A Hero's Curse and Blessing.
Reading: Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus
21. Mon., Nov. 2
Fateful Homecoming.
Reading: Aeschylus, Agamemnon
22. Wed., Nov. 4
A Son’s Vengeance.
Reading: Aeschylus, Libation Bearers
23. Mon., Nov. 9
Hereditary Guilt and Civic Resolution.
Reading: Aeschylus, Eumenides
Unit Four: Heroic Journeys
24. Wed., Nov. 11
Many Unhappy Returns: The Nostoi.
Reading: Tripp, entry on the Trojan War
Homer, Odyssey, Books 1-4
Quiz 3
25. Mon., Nov. 16
Odysseus among the Phaeacians.
Reading: Odyssey, Books 5-8
26. Wed., Nov. 18
Odysseus in Wonderland.
Reading: Odyssey, Books 9-12
27. Mon., Nov. 23
The Hero's Return.
Reading: Odyssey, Books 13-16
28. Wed., Nov. 25
NO CLASS (Thanksgiving)
29. Mon., Nov. 30
The Beggar at the Palace. Revenge upon the Suitors.
Reading: Odyssey, Books 17-24
Quiz 4
30. Wed., Dec. 2
Argonauts’ Journey to Colchis
Reading: Apollonius, Argonautica, Books 1-2
31. Mon., Dec. 7
The Golden Fleece and the Return Home
Reading: Apollonius, Argonautica, Books 3-4
32. Wed., Dec. 9
Greek Myths Criticized, Philosophized, and Played With
Reading: Gorgias, Ecomium of Helen (handout)
Plato, Selected Myths (handout)
Quiz 5