Mythology Curriculum Mrs. Patricia Rhoads

Skills: Reading comprehension; verbal discussion, writing, analysis, synthesis and evaluation of reading materials; making connections between ancient beliefs, customs and literature to those in modern life; and demonstration of parallels to the structure and themes of myths of diverse cultures.

Purpose: To study the literary heritage of people from ancient times around the world; to read and interpret myths and some of the ways they function in societies and cultures; to read and interpret mythic metaphors symbols, and analogies; to compare and contrast significant characters, events, symbols, and actions (called motifs) in one story with similar events in another story; to evaluate archetypal mythological stories and figures as they appear in a variety of the world’s cultures; to describe and discuss the cultures that produced the myths; to improve analytical, conceptual, connective writing skills; to discover what these stories have to do with our lives today.

Description: Semester I offers an introduction to the myths of the Greeks and Romans. Semester II concentrates on myths from Norse, Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Native American, African, and various other cultures. These courses will include, but is not limited to, myths about creation, deities/supernatural beings, love and romance, epic heroism (Perseus, Theseus, Herakles, Iliad, Odyssey, etc.), and tragedies (Agamemnon, Oedipus Rex, Medea, etc.). This course will also focus on word origins, concentrating on vocabulary from Latin and Greek root. Important Note: Once a student completes either, or both, semesters; he or she is ineligible to take the courses again. The courses are not sequenced so it does not matter which one you choose to take first.

Essential Questions • Why study mythology? • What are the common patterns and motifs found in myths? • How do different cultures explain the beginning of the world, the origin of man, or natural phenomenon? How is it explained that each continues to function? • How do different peoples explain how man was created? • What are the similarities and differences in creation myths from around the world? • What unique cultural traits are revealed in myths?

Acquired Knowledge

• Myths from all cultures contain common patterns and motifs. • The purpose of myths is to explain, inform, and amuse. • Cultures create stories to interpret their origins. • Differences in creation myths reflect the uniqueness of the geographic location of each culture.

Acquired Skills

• Identify the structure and purpose of selected myths • Explain the similarities between myths from different geographic locations • Form theories about myths from discussions • Present findings through a variety of ways: projects, oral presentations, artwork, written responses • Create an original creation myth that is reflective of a particular culture and is consistent with its environment

Major Assessments

• Class discussions • Tests • Original myths • Projects • Videos

Accommodations and Modifications

• • Printed notes • Additional time to complete assignments, tests and projects • Adjust questions on an assignment or assessment to meet the diverse needs of • learners (i.e. short answer vs. essay; multiple choice with fewer options; questions that require recall vs. those that require analysis, etc.) • • Have students work collaboratively

Common Core State Standards:

Please visit the following site for the 143-page listing and explanation of the Common Core Standards for Mythology: http://www.centerforlearning.org/PDF/standards/mythology-common-core-standards-3955.pdf

Semesters I and II: Greek and Roman

• Pantheons, including names, realms, symbols • Deity myths • The Titans and Twelve Great Olympians • The Lesser Gods of Olympus • The Gods of the Waters • The Underworld • Creation myths • Two Great Gods of the Earth • Flower myths (Narcissus, Hyacinth, Adonis) • Love myths (Cupid and Psyche, Pryamus and Thisbe, Orpheus and Eurydice, Ceyx and Alcyone, Pygmalion and Galatea, and Baucis and Philemon) • The Hero’s journey (Jason and the Argonauts, Perseus, Theseus, Hercules, Atalanta) • Sinners (Oedipus, Phaethon, Pegasus and Bellerophon, Daedalus, Midas, The Danaids, Glaucus and Sylla, Arachne) • Minor myths (if time permits) • Selections of The Iliad and The Odyssey • Roman contributions (months, weekdays, solar system and numerals) • Romulus and Remus

FINAL EXAM: Create-A-Myth essay and artwork

Text: Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, by Edith Hamilton; various mythology resource books.

Semesters III and IV: World Mythology

• Pantheons, including names, realms, symbols • Deity myths • Creation myths for each culture • Underworld • Popular myths • Plays (“The Building of the Wall”) • Epics (“Gilgamesh,” “The Kotan Utani,” and “The Ramayana”)

Mythologies:

• Norse • Celtic • Egyptian • Babylonian • Hittite • Sumerian • Japanese • Chines • Aztec • Mayan • Hindu • Others as time and class interest permit

FINAL EXAM: Creation myth slideshow

Texts: World Mythology, An Anthology of the Great Myths and Epics by Donna Rosenberg, third edition; Myths and Legends by Vic Parker; and Parallel Myths by J.F. Bierlein, as well as various other sources.

NOTE: Films will be used to supplement reading material and will not be used to replace reading in this course.