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CSU IP Italy Virtual International Program FALL 2020 CSU IP Italy Virtual International Program FALL 2020 HCL 302 CLASSICAL MYTHOLOGY AND RELIGION Instructor: Prof. Beatrice Fabbri Email: [email protected] Class Schedule: Tuesday 10:30am - 11:30 am (Pacific Standard Time) Thursday: by appointment. Office Hours: Friday, 9:30am-10:30 am (Pacific Standard time) and by appointment Class Location: Online via Zoom “The love of wisdom begins in wonder” (Socrates) COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is designed to provide the students with a basic introduction to Classical Mythology. In this course, the students will read and study the main issues related to Gods/Goddesses, Heroes, Sagas in the Greek world. References to Etruscan, Roman, other Mediterranean Mythologies will be included as points of references. Enriched with the knowledge gleaned from the readings, students will be able to recognize and appreciate the many allusions and echoes from these myths in modern literature, painting, sculpture, music, dance and cinema. Some basic references to the historical background of Greek will enrich the comprehension and assimilation of the meaning of mythology in Western culture. The etymology itself of mythology recalls the exposition of "legendary lore, a telling of mythic legends; a legend, story, (from mythos "myth" + -logy "study). Actually, the Greek word mythos "speech, thought, story, myth, anything delivered by word of mouth," is of unknown origin. Greek Myths are stories about divine beings, generally arranged in a coherent system; they are revered as true and sacred. The etymology of Religion in the ancient world, refers to the latin root religio to be understood as an individual virtue of worship, never as doctrine, practice, or actual source of knowledge. All these issues were dealt with monotheism (Judeo-christian vision) opposed to polytheism (Eastern, Graeco-Roman visions). A thorough understanding of Greek, Middle-Eastern and reference to Roman mythology will enhance your appreciation and deepen our grasp of the world around us. The influence of Greek mythology on western art, music and literature can hardly be exagerated. The discourse on gender issues will play an important role during the course as it’s inside Classical Mythology we find the authentic definition of female and male gender queer/Lgbt identities, roles and stereotypes in contemporary western society. Engaging with ideas, debates, Last updated on Sept. 10, 2020 and challenges of ancient societies offers valuable context and guidance for social concerns that are still with us today. Studying antiquity trains you in skills valuable in any career path or walk of life. CSU GE CATEGORY C4 or C elective GENERAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS You are responsible for the weekly readings, the information given to you in class, on handouts and material uploaded mainly on Canvas . Part of your grade will be determined by regular attendance, participation in class discussions and active engagement in all activities of this course. Make sure to check Canvas on a regular basis for updates, handouts, announcements and all other additional information related to class. REQUIRED TEXTS: Morford-Lenardon, Classical Mythology, Oxford, University Press, 2011 and following editions for this textbook are fine. Hesiod, Theogony & Works and Days, (West, M.L , transl.), London, Oxford World's Classics (Paperback) Ovid, Metamorphoses (Raeburnm D., transl., Feeney, D., ed.), London, Penguin Classics. Sophocles, The Three Theban Plays (Fagles, R. transl., Konx, R. ed.), London, Penguin Classics (Paperback any edition) J.Campbell, The Hero with thousand faces, New York, Harper & Row, 1990 M.Murdock, The Heroine’s journey New York: Springer, 2010. *Most of primary and secondary sources mentioned above (accordingly to copyright laws), will be also uploaded and available on Canvas (links or pdf). **Additional readings, articles, web resources, selected bibliographies will be uploaded on Canvas and/or sent during the semester. Websites: These are very useful websites: Theoi Greek Mythology : https://www.theoi.com/ Internet Classics Archive: http://classics.mit.edu/index.html Perseus Digital Library: https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/ Last updated on Sept. 10, 2020 LEARNING OBJECTIVES Students will learn to: 1. To read and interpret myths and some of the ways they function in societies and cultures. 2. To read and interpret mythic metaphors symbols and analogies. 3. To compare and contrast significant characters, events, symbols, and actions (called motifs) in one story with similar events in another story; 4. To improve analytical, conceptual, connective writing skills; LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the semester students will be able to: 1. Grasp the significance of the main and most important features of Classical Mythology with an emphasis to Greek, Roman and Mediterranean Mythology. 2. Acquire competences know how to make connections, compare and contrast among apparently disparate forms of knowledge related to Classical Myths and basics of Greek Philosophy & Religion (see, Archetypes and Rites and Rituals). GENERAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS • 2 Research or critical papers, 7-10 pages max (including bibliography). They will be based either on issues, themes discussed in class and/or of specific interest (Format paper: Chicago format style). • 2 Oral presentations as following: Mid-term oral presentation based on suggested topic submitted by the Instructor and/or accordingly to specific interest of student. Suggested topics list will be provided in advance by the Instructor. Final Oral presentation based on one or more of three Greek tragedies by Sophocles (Theban cycle) • Weekly written home assignments (see below some specifics). I am willing to offer help and submit supplementary reading suggestions if needed to students majoring in Classics, Literature, Humanities, Social Science, Art Studio, Architecture to develop specific issues related to their field of study for their Oral presentation and/or midterm and final papers. The interdisciplinary approach to the discipline will surely enrich and enlarge knowledge and awareness of the Classical legacy and helps develop an appreciation for cultural difference essential in a global society. * Point 1: Students are asked to choose their topic or to discuss it with the Instructor in advance to due date in order to arrange and discuss the framework of it to enlarge the perspective with further readings and/or bibliography suggested by the Instructor. Schedule an appointment for a meeting on Zoom. The due dates of these papers are marked on the calendar syllabus with a ®. Some specifics on Course Requirements: Last updated on Sept. 10, 2020 • 2 research or critical papers, 7-10 pages max. (including bibliography). Mid-term & Final paper: they will be based either on texts, themes read and discussed in class. In this sense, it is important to attend classes regularly and participate actively in class discussion. Nevertheless, if some of you wish to undertake research outside the suggested topics list but relating to Classical mythology topics and want to investigate more, make an appointment for a Zoom meeting so to brainstorm so that, I could provide suggestions and detailed bibliography if needed. • 2 Oral Presentations: lasts approx. 15 minutes and deals with the historical context of the works read in class. It should be educational and interesting for the other students. You are asked to use visual aid in your presentation, PPT. Simple reading from notes will not be accepted.(oral presentation schedule will be given early during the semester). • Home assignments (2 pag. max): During the semester, students will be evaluated also through weekly home assignments such as: reading questions, commentaries upon texts, parallel/comparison, reviews, quizzes. Home assignments are designed to train your critical reading and writing skills. NOTE: I will be not able to give a passing grade to any student who does not complete ALL THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND HOME ASSIGNMENTS regardless of the percentage value of that assignment or to any student with 5 or more unexcused absences. Grades will be given in ten percentage increments, with students in the top 10% of the course receiving an A, the next 10% receiving a B, and so on. GRADING SCALE Student performance has been outstanding and indicates an exceptional degree A 100-94 of academic achievement in meeting learning outcomes and course requirements A- 93-90 B+ 89-87 Student performance has been at a high level and indicates solid academic B 86-84 achievement in meeting learning outcomes and course requirements B- 83-80 C+ 79-77 Student performance has been adequate and indicates satisfactory academic C 76-74 achievement in meeting learning outcomes and course requirements C- 73-70 D+ 69-67 Student performance has been less than adequate and indicates deficiencies in D 66-64 meeting the learning outcomes and/or course requirements D- 63-60 Student performance has been unacceptable and indicates a failure to meet the F 59-0 learning outcomes and/or course requirements IMPORTANT: Failure to complete all work assigned in the course could result in failure of the class. Attendance: more than two unexcused absences will lower the grade – see below attendance policy for details). Last updated on Sept. 10, 2020 GRADES/ EXAMS Your grade will be determined by the following assignments: 2 Mid-term Oral Presentation and Final Oral Presentation 30% 2 Written Midterm Essay (1)- Final Essay (1): 35% Home assignments: 20% Attendance, extra-curricular activities, class participation:
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