Week-by-Week Schedule of Themes, Readings, and In-Class Discussions & Activities
Theme: Why adequately defining myth is difficult
Reading: Online essay, “What is Myth?”
Discussion: Defining myth and why myth matters
Working ahead: Begin reading The Epic of Gilgamesh
Theme: What is myth? Themes and motifs in The Epic of Gilgamesh
Reading: Online essay, “What is Myth?” and The Epic of Gilgamesh
Discussion: Who were the Sumerians? Was there an historical Gilgamesh? Is the Epic truly a myth? Important questions and issues raised in the Epic.
Working ahead: Finish reading The Epic of Gilgamesh
Theme: Themes and motifs in The Epic of Gilgamesh
Reading: The Epic of Gilgamesh
Discussion: Who were the Sumerians? Was there an historical Gilgamesh? Is the Epic truly a myth? Important questions and issues raised in the Epic.
Working ahead: Begin reading online essay, “Joseph Campbell Notes”
Theme: Mapping the hero's quest: Joseph Campbell’s “monomyth” scheme for analyzing hero myths
Reading: "Joseph Campbell Notes"
Discussion: The 17 possible stages of the hero's journey.
Working ahead: Begin reading Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 4: Images of the Masculine in Myth”
Theme: Joseph Campbell at the Movies
Reading: “Joseph Campbell Notes”
Activity: We will watch the movie, The Matrix (1999) in class this week. Be prepared to take notes.
Working ahead: Continue reading Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 4: Images of the Masculine in Myth,” especially the Bhagavad-Gita excerpts.
Begin assignment: Analysis of The Matrix using Campbell's monomyth scheme (click here for assignment details); due by email Friday, February 24, no later than 5:00 p.m.
Theme: What is a man “supposed to be?” Masculine archetypes in myth.
Reading: Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 4: Images of the Masculine in Myth,” especially the Bhagavad-Gita excerpts
Discussion: What is a “man” in our society? What do modern views of the masculine have to do with mythic images of the masculine? Vedic religion and the nature of Arjuna’s dilemma in the Bhagavad Gita
Working ahead: Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 4: Images of the Masculine in Myth,” especially “Enki & Ninhursanga,” “Thor's Duel with Hrungnir,” and “Quetzalcoatl Rescues the Precious Bones and Discovers Corn”
Assignment due: Analysis of The Matrix; emailed to me no later than Friday, February 24 by 5:00 p.m.
Theme: Masculine archetypes in myth
Reading: Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 4: Images of the Masculine in Myth,” especially “Enki & Ninhursanga,” “Thor’s Duel with Hrungnir,” and “Quetzalcoatl Rescues the Precious Bones and Discovers Corn”
Discussion: Male potency in myth (Enki); male courage in myth (Quetzalcoatl & Thor); and male aggression in myth (Odin & Thor). The ancient Sumerians—w ho is Enki? The ancient Norse—who is Odin? Who is Thor? The ancient Aztecs—who is Quetzalcoatl?
Working ahead: Begin reading Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 3: Images of the Feminine in Myth,” especially the Fire Goddess."
Begin assignment: The midterm. Due on Friday 9 March, no later than 5:00 p.m.
Theme: What is a woman “supposed to be?” Feminine archetypes in myth
Reading: Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 3: Images of the Feminine in Myth,” especially “The Fire Goddess”
Discussion: What is a woman in our society? Archetypes and images of women in myth.
Working ahead:Finish reading Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 3: Images of the Feminine in Myth,” especially “White Buffalo Calf Woman,” and “On the Origin of the World”
Assignment due: Email me the midterm no later than Friday, 9 March at 5:00 p.m.12
Theme: Feminine archetypes in myth
Reading: Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 3: Images of the Feminine in Myth,” especially “White Buffalo Calf Woman,” and “On the Origin of the World”
Discussion: The Sioux—who is Whope (White Buffalo Calf Woman)? The Gnostics—themes, motifs, and characters in “On the Origin of the World”
Working ahead: Begin reading Inanna: Queen of Heaven and Earth, pp. 3-89 (the four stories, beginning with “Inanna and the Huluppu- Tree” and concluding with the “Descent/Ascent of Inanna”)
Theme: Feminine archetypes in myth/When "God" was a Woman
Reading: Inanna: Queen of Heaven and Earth, 00. 3-89 (the four stories, beginning with “Huluppu- Tree” and concluding with the “Descent/Ascent of Inanna”
Discussion: Inanna as “Everywoman.” Themes, motifs, and context in “Inanna and the Huluppu- Tree,” “Inanna and the God of Wisdom,” “The Marriage of Inanna and Dumuzzi,” and “The Descent/Ascent of Inanna”
Working ahead: Begin reading Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 2: Creation Myths,” especially Hesiod’s Theogony and “Amma and Nummo Prepare the World”
Theme: The kinds and functions of creation myths
Reading: Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 2: Creation Myths,” especially Hesiod’s Theogony and “Amma and Nummo Prepare the World”
Discussion: The basic motifs and functions of creation myths. The ancient Greeks—themes, motifs, and characters in Theogony. The Dogon—themes, motifs, and characters in ‘Amma and Nummo Prepare the World”
Working ahead: Continue reading Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 2: Creation Myths,” especially Genesis and Popul Vu
Theme: The kinds and functions of creation myths
Reading: Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 2: Creation Myths,” especially Genesis and Popul Vu
Discussion: The ancient Hebrews—themes, motifs, and context in Genesis. The ancient Maya—themes and motifs in Popul Vu.
Working ahead: Begin reading Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 5: Tricksters,” especially “Ajapa, Aja the Dog, and the Yams” and “Coyote Man and Saucy Duckfeather”
Theme: The kinds and functions of Trickster myths
Reading: Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 5: Tricksters,” especially “Ajapa, Aja the Dog, and the Yams” and “Coyote Man and Saucy Duckfeather”
Discussion: The differences between animal-form and human-form tricksters; The Yoruba—themes and motifs in “Ajapa, Aja the Dog, and the Yams.” Themes and motifs in “Coyote Man and Saucy Duckfeather”
Working ahead: Continue reading Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 5: Tricksters,” especially “The Treasures of the Gods” and “The Seven Great Deeds of Maui”
Theme: The kinds and functions of Trickster myths
Reading: Myth & Knowing, “Chapter 5: Tricksters,” especially “The Treasures of the Gods” and “The Seven Great Deeds of Maui”
Discussion: The Norse—who is Loki? Themes and motifs in “Treasures of the Gods.” The Polynesians—who is Maui? Themes and motifs in “Seven Great Deeds.”
Begin assignment: Begin composing the Final Exam and Course Evaluation Memo
Theme: Connections among Shamanism, Campbell's Monomyth scheme, and myth-telling
Discussion: What is a shaman? Considering shamanic experience through Campbell's monomyth scheme
Assignments due: Email me the Final Exam and Course Evaluation no later than Friday, 4 May, by 5:00 p.m.