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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "CL 260-2"
COURSE NAME: "Classical Mythology"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2024
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Massimo Betello
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
By appointment in person or on Microsoft Teams
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course examines the principal myths of Classical Greece and Rome, with some reference to their evolution from earlier local and Mediterranean legends, deities and religions. The importance of these myths in the literature and art of the Western World will be discussed.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is designed to allow students to become acquainted with the main myths of the Greco-Roman tradition, and as such it is structured to be a survey of the legends, sagas, goddesses, gods, heroes and heroines that were familiar to the Greeks and the Romans. In fact, it is not possible to understand the Classical word without a good knowledge of Classical myths: they were part of religion, often used in literature, art, politics, and entertainment. Our major sources are written stories, but ancient artworks are also important as they are the physical representation of how these mythological events were pictured in the minds of old. Consequently, Greek & Roman vases, sculptures, mosaics, and frescoes will be used to contextualize some of the legends.
This course will also discuss how Classical mythology is alive in the modern culture: graphic novels, movies, books, and Las Vegas.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
With a successful conclusion of this course, the students will be able to:
· name the main characters of Classical mythology
· describe the origins stories of the main gods and heroes
· summarize the main Greek and Roman sagas
· appraise the connections and differences between Greek and Roman myths
· compare and contrast Greek and Roman gods
· discuss the two-way relationship between myth and art (mainly visual art)
· argue about the “mechanisms” at work in the creation of mythologies (ancient and modern)
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Classical Mythology | Morford Mark and others | Oxford University Press | 9780190067243 | | Purchase ONLY through Perusall (see link on Moodle) | Ebook | | Perusall.com |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Art and Myth in ancient Greece | Carpenter | Thames and Hudson | 0500202362 | N 7760.C27 | Chosen sections will be available as scans on Moodle. |
| Images of myths in Classical Antiquity | Woodford | Cambridge University Press | 0521788099 | N 7760.W66 | Chosen sections will be available as scans on Moodle. |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Reading and comments | All the readings that are part of this assessment method must be accessed from Moodle through Perusall links. Perusall.com is the online platform where the readings are to be done, and no other ways are accepted for these assignments. Students are expected to comment on each reading using the Perusall platform. | 5 |
| Tests (online) | These short tests are intended to foster a regular study and allow the students to get ready for the major exams. Questions will test both factual knowledge (events, date, people etc.), and the comprehension of fundamental concepts. They will be administered online roughly every two weeks, not during class time. | 15 |
| Midterm exam | The topics tested will be those of the first half of the semester.
It will be made up by two parts:
• one testing the student’s factual knowledge (events, gods, heros, people etc) using identifications, multiple choices, true-false, etc.;
• the other testing the student’s understanding and knowledge of the concepts explained in class using open questions, essays etc. | 30 |
| Final exam | The topics tested will be those of the second half of the semester only. The final exam is not cumulative.
The format will follow that of the midterm exam.
| 30 |
| Final paper | In the final paper the student is expected to provide an analysis of a mythological story. In its simplest form it can be a compare and contrast paper of two mythological (or mythologically inspired) topics (e.g. Perseus VS Percy Jackson, Neptune VS Poseidon, Apollo VS Dionysus). | 15 |
| Class Participation | Participation will be evaluated at every class. | 5 |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
A 94 - 100
A- 90 - 93.99
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
B+ 87 - 89.99
B 84 - 86.99
B- 80 – 83.99
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
C+ 77 – 79.99
C 74 - 76.99
C- 70 – 73.99
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
D+ 67 - 69.99
D 60 – 66.99
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
F 59.99 >
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance will be taken at every class.
Up to 5 free absences are allowed in this course without consequences. More than 5 free absences--regardless of the reason (that is, missing more than 20% of the course)--will have you fail the course.
No justification for any regular absence is allowed in this course: 5 absences are enough to cover any regular event.
Only extended medical emergencies and other extraordinary events are justified absences. No other reason count as a justified absence: finger-print appointments, sickness, trips, etc. are not justified.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Week and day
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Topic
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Assignments for the day
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Class number
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01 week
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Introduction to the course
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Syllabus, assignments, textbooks, expected commitment.
Overview of the topics that will be studied.
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1
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01 week
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Historical background of Greek Mythology (part 1)
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Morford chapter 2
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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2
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02 week
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Historical background of Greek Mythology (part 2 )
Definition of Classical Mythology and its sources.
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Morford chapter 2
Morford chapter 1
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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3
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02 week
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Myths of creation
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Morford chapter 3
Woodford; Note on Terminology; Part one “Introduction”
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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4
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03 week
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Zeus’ rise to power
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Morford chapter 4 – Titanomachy, Gigantomachy, Creation of Mortals.
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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5
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03 week
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The Twelve Olympian gods
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Morford chapter 5 – Zeus and Hera
See also Moodle for other assignments.
TEST 01
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6
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04 week
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The Nature of the Gods in Greek Religions.
The gods and monsters of the sea
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· SELECTION Morford chapter 6- Greek Religion (only from “The Nature of Greek Religion” to the end of the chapter).
· Morford chapter 7 – Poseidon and sea deities
Woodford Part 2 “Making myths Recognizable”
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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7
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04 week
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Athena
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Morford chapter 8 - Athena
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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8
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05 Week
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Aphrodite
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Morford chapter 9 – Aphrodite and Eros
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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9
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05 week
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Artemis
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Morford chapter 10 - Artemis
See also Moodle for other assignments.
TEST 02
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10
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06 week
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Apollo
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Morford chapter 11 - Apollo
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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11
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06 week
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Hermes
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Morford chapter 12 - Hermes
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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12
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07 week
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MIDTERM
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13 |
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07 week
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Dionysus and his merry companions
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Morford chapter 13 - Dyonisus
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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14
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08 week
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The Theban saga (1/2)
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Morford chapter 17 – The Theban Saga
See also Moodle for other assignments
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15
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08 week
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The Theban saga (2/2)
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Morford chapter 17 – The Theban Saga
See also Moodle for other assignments.
By 11:59 PM of Sunday at the end of this week, you must have submitted the title and topic of your FINAL PAPER
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16
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09 week
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The Mycenaean saga
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Morford chapter 18 – The Mycenaean Sag
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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17
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09 week
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The Iliad (1/2)
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Morford chapter 19 – The Trojan Saga (part 01)
Carpenter CH 9 The Trojan war
Suggested: Hinds “The Iliad”
See also Moodle for other assignments.
TEST 03
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18
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10 week
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The Iliad (2/2)
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Morford chapter 19 – The Trojan Saga (Part 02)
Carpenter CH 9 The Trojan war
Suggested: Hinds “The Iliad”
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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19
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10 Week
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The Odyssey
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Morford chapter 20 – The Odyssey (part 01)
Carpenter CH 10 The aftermath of the War
Suggested: Hinds “The Odyssey”
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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20
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11 week
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The Odyssey
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Morford chapter 20 – The Odyssey (part 02)
Carpenter CH 10 The aftermath of the War
Suggested: Hinds “The Odyssey”
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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21
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11 week
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Perseus
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Morford chapter 21 - Perseus
See also Moodle for other assignments.
TEST 04
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22
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12 week
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Heracles (part 1)
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Morford chapter 22 – Heracles (part 01)
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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23
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12 week
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Heracles (part 2)
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Morford chapter 22 – Heracles (Part 02)
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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24
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13 Week
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Theseus and the minotaur
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Morford chapter 23 - Theseus
See also Moodle for other assignments.
Submit your paper by 11:59 PM of today
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25
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13 Week
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Greek mythology in the Roman world
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Morford chapter 25 – Greek mythology in the Roman world
See also Moodle for other assignments.
TEST 05
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26
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14 week
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Roman mythology (part 1)
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Morford chapter 26 – Roman Mythology and Saga (part 01)
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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27
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14 week
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Roman mythology (part 2)
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Morford chapter 26 – Roman Mythology and Saga (Part 02)
See also Moodle for other assignments.
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28
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FINAL EXAM (TBA)
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