Fall 2001
| Instructor: | Rand Johnson, PhD |
| Office: | 510 Sprau Tower |
| Hours: | Tuesdays, noon - 2pm, and by appointment |
| Phone: | 387-3013 |
| Email: | rand.johnson@wmich.edu |
Course Objectives:
- to become familiar with several myths in their Greek and Roman versions, and with the qualities of prominent gods and heroes.
- to see how myths reflect values of the individuals and societies who created them.
The above objectives are ambitious enough in themselves. But working with stories which for centuries have shaped the thinking of pipe-fitters as well as poets, you also will see connections between these ancient accounts and your own experience. It is only through a careful, reflective reading of the stories that you will be able to see these connections. To encourage you in this kind of reading I have adopted the following expectations:
Expectations:
There is no textbook for the course. The reading assignments consist of ancient versions of the myths, which are vivid and--to most readers--far more interesting than the summaries and excerpts found in a textbook. Daily assignments are not long, but you will be expected to become familiar with the literature--the plot of stories, the traits of the main characters. To gain this level of familiarity it may be necessary to read the stories two or three times. The lectures will be much easier to follow if you have read the assignments ahead of time.
Books:
- Hesiod, Theogony and Works & Days, translated by Stanley Lombardo
- Homer, Iliad, translated by Robert Fagles
- Homeric Hymns, translated by Charles Boer
- Ovid, Metamorphoses, translated by Mary Innes
A word on translations. Because of their popularity, these texts appear in many other translations; you may even have some on your bookshelves at home. For ease of reference in class lectures and discussions, papers and exams, I encourage you to purchase or otherwise get a hold of the versions listed above.
Online Resources:
Notes and study questions for the weekly reading assignments are available on a website at the following URL:
http://unix.cc.wmich.edu/johnsorh/MythYou can view and print these materials at any of several computer centers across campus.
Grading:
Daily Quizzes 20% Hesiod Test 20% Iliad Test 20% Paper 20% Final Exam 20% Quizzes will be given at the beginning of each class and are intended to test basic knowledge of the reading assignment for that meeting. Quizzes are scored pass/no pass, with a letter-grade assigned at the end of term based on the percentage of quizzes passed (90% and above = A, 86% to 89% = BA, etc.). There will be no make-up quizzes. Students will be allowed to miss three quizzes without penalty. A fourth missed quiz will result in a fail for the course, or incomplete if warranted. A five-page paper will be assigned based on your reading and class discussions (see "Guidelines for Papers"). An essay exam will be given during the regularly scheduled final examination period for this class. Check the syllabus now for the schedule of assignments and tests to make sure that other obligations (for instance, a rescheduled exam for another class, holiday travel plans) do not prevent you from meeting these requirements.
Go to: SYLLABUS | 1st Page
Send comments to: Prof. Johnson
Revised: 28 August 2001