Description:

This course provides a systematic study of world mythologies, where they appear in literature and art and their survival and metamorphosis in contemporary culture. The course provides several methodological frameworks with which to analyze myths and their relation to history, religion, ritual and art. Through the study and comparison of world mythologies, students are encouraged to evaluate their own perspectives and experiences in the context of human diversity. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor's course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Identify the literary sources of various world myths and set them within a chronological context from 8,000 BCE to present.
2. Identify myths of creation and destruction, in oral, literary and visual forms.
3. Identify heroes and tricksters as expressed in various world mythologies through literature and art.
4. Examine myth's expression through ritual.
5. Use multiple analyses to examine different aspects of the same tale, including the morphology of myth.
6. Identify mythic themes in poetry, literature and modern narrative.
7. Describe the artistic legacy of specific mythologies, such as classical, sumerian, native american, chinese, norse, indian and biblical.

Content Outline & Competencies:

  I. Introduction to World Mythology
     A. Define myth and demonstrate how it is different than other classes
of tales such as legend, superstitions and fairytales.
     B. Identify contemporary approaches to myth according to fields of
study and professions, such as storytellers, artists, filmmakers,
philosophy, science, history, sociology, and psychology.
     C. Identify the historical periods from which each world mythology
developed and describe its development as expressed in literature, art,
history, film and social structures.

 II. Myths of Creation and Destruction
     A. Describe creation and destruction myths as found in writings such
as Hesiod (Greek), Ovid (Roman), Hebrew (Genesis), Mesopotamian (Enuma
Elish), Norse (Prose Edda), Indian (Ramayana) and other world mythology
sources. 
     B. Identify divinities found in creation and destruction myths.
     C. Identify creation/destruction mythic themes in poetry, art and
modern narrative.
     D. Evaluate personal perspective and experiences in the context of
diversity found in world creation/destruction myths.
 
 III. Heroes and Tricksters
      A. Identify heroes, tricksters and narrative structures in world
mythologies, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Ramayana, the Prose Edda,
the Theogony, the Mwindo Epic and other world mythology sources. 
      B. Describe and compare mythic aspects of the hero and trickster as
found in a range of culture’s myths.
      C. Evaluate personal views and experiences of hero and trickster.
 
  IV. Myth’s Expression through Ritual
      A. Define ritual and identify its relationship to art, theatre and
mystery religions.
      B. Identify agricultural and mystery religion rituals described and
expressed cultural mythologies, such as Eleusinian Mysteries, Mysteries of
Isis and Osiris, rituals of Northern Europe, and others.
      C. Identify rituals associated with major schools of myth
interpretation, such as the relationship of dreams to myth.

   V. From Myth to Folktale
      A. Identify the structuralist school of myth interpretation and its
application to folktales, literature, fables and movies.
      B. Define the stages in the hero’s journey and identify the
structure in literature, fables and movies.
      C. Identify the structuralist components in modern literature, tales
and legends such as the Wizard of Oz, Grimm’s fairytales and Daniel
Boone, and compare to structure in ancient story, such as Apuleius’
Cupid and Psyche.
      D. Examine and identify through multiple analyses the morphology of
a myth to folktale to urban legend.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

1.  At least three examinations in either written or objective format:
 40% to 50% of grade.
2.  At least one written assignment where student goes to a local museum
to find examples of art based on a world mythology:  20-30% of grade.
3.  At least one assignment, written or class presentation, where the
student relates literature, art, poetry, music and/or modern narrative to
a world mythology; specifically evaluating the student’s own
perspectives in the context of diversity expressed in world mythology.
20-35% of grade.
4.  Attendance, class participation or other class exercises assigned to
fulfill any of the above course objectives:  10% to 20% of grade.

Grade scale:
90-100% A
80-89%  B
70-79%  C
60-69%  D
Below 59% F

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.