Syllabi for Dr. Lake

Mythology 2019

MYTHOLOGY

 

Sean Lake

Office: 1-145

Phone Ext. 2054

E-mail: slake4@valenciacollege.edu

Office Hours:

Monday 7:20 – 8:20 and 11:20 – 12:50 and 3:50 – 4:15 pm

Tuesday (Virtual) 9-1 pm

Wednesday 7:20 – 8:20 and 11:20 – 12:50 and 3:50 – 4:15 pm

Thursday (Virtual) 9-1 pm

Friday (Virtual) 9-11

 

Course Schedule and Assignments

Week 1 = ALL WORK DUE BY FRIDAY 8/30 at 11:59PM

 

  1. Read the Epic of Gilgamesh
  2. Write down the first IMAGE that is described to you. What I mean is: tell me what the first THING is that the author spends time describing. Be prepared to quote the text to me and read it to the class.
  3. Start keeping a list of each character. Write down each name IN THE ORDER IT APPEARS. Define each character in one sentence - but don't look up a defintion from some random website. Define the character by their actions as you read. I expect an original definition please.
  4.  Summarize the opening lines. (Determine where you think the "introduction" ends and summarize it briefly in your own words.
  5. What is your definition of hero? Who is the hero of Gilgamesh and explain why? Quote a passage that shows the hero being a hero.
  6. What is the main problem in the epic? Quote a passage that is relevant to support your opinion of what the main problem is.
  7. Devise one question about a passage, a word, a name, or an action in the epic that you did not understand.
  8. Choose one passage to read to the class and explain why you think it is important to the story, and a practical part of the story that can be useful to someone seeking a good life.

 

Week 2  = ALL WORK DUE BY FRIDAY 9/6 at 11:59PM

  1. Finish Gilgamesh under content for Monday.
  2. Announcements
  3. Bring the last assignment to class so we can go over it.
  4. Continue to keep a list of characters from Gilgamesh.
  5. Write down any and all numbers that are mentioned in this text and any others.
  6.  Go to the Library Webpage. Under Databases A-Z, find E-Brary. Under E-Book Central, Search for  Ancient Egyptian Literature : An Anthology. When you find this exact title, go to page 36 OR search for "The Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor". Read this story. Be prepared to explain the plot, name or describe the main characters. This is a short and easy one, but it will come up regularly for the rest of the course.

NOTE: Nothing has to be handed in on Canvas, but class discussions are worth about 20% of your total grade, so do the assignments and bring notes to class so you can participate and contribute detailed comments or specific questions.

 

Week 3 ALL WORK DUE BY FRIDAY 9/13 at 11:59PM

  1. Read Hesiod's Theogony. This and all the assignments are due Wednesday, but please have started them by Monday.
  2. On Canvas, I've created an assignment under Content in Module Three called "Who is the hero of the Theogony and why?". Answer that question writing one paragraph or so explaining why. In your paragraph, quote a passage that helps support your argument.
  3. There are about 10 -12 parts of the Theogony or 10-12 major stories. Come to class prepared to answer EXACTLY how many parts/major stories YOU think there are. Maybe there are only 5 in your opinion, maybe 22 - there is no objective answer, just a well argued opinion based on examples from the text itself.
  4. Know the names of the top 10-15 major characters and be prepared to read your list in class.
  5. Keep track of any numbers mentioned.

 

Week 4 ALL WORK DUE BY FRIDAY 9/20 at 11:59PM

  1.  Read Chapter 2 (skip chapter 1 for now) of the textbook by Taylor. It's on creation myths and even though you have already read the Theogony, you will read a summary of it which is a good review of the major concepts. 
  2. Read The Odyssey Books 1-5 for Wednesday. It's under Module Four and called Odyssey Abridged. Stop when you get to Book Six.
  3. There is a quiz for Books 1-5. Read the Odyssey as you take the quiz, it will make the quiz easy. Or, take notes and take the quiz with your notes.

 

Week 5 ALL WORK DUE BY FRIDAY 9/27 at 11:59PM

  1. Read Odyssey 6-8. That reading is in the previous module, which includes Book 1-9. Take notes on the major characters and the plot b/c there will be 1 more quiz on the Odyssey.
  2. Find one passage that you will quote and read to the class that you think shows the character of Odysseus - a passage that illustrates the type of person he is. Full credit for reading a passage aloud to the class and being able to explain its significance, zero credit for anything else.
  3. Achilles's name means "anger of the people." What does Odysseus's name mean? Find and write down the quotation from our translation and I will give you a suitable bonus (like 2,000 points). This is an ongoing assignment - it may not necessarily be in this week's readings, but look carefully.
  4. Numbers: in particular, there is a number that is a multiple of 12. Maybe not this week, but it's important so keep your eyes open. Try to find it for further honor and glory and maybe some points.
  5. Read Chapter Three of Taylor's Textbook on Flood myths. As you read, write down notes. Expect me to call on you to answer specific questions about the text, and have some comments or questions to ask about the text.

 

Week 6 ALL WORK DUE BY FRIDAY 10/4 at 11:59PM

 

  1. Read Odyssey 10-12. Take notes on the major characters and the plot b/c there will be a quiz on the Odyssey when you are finished the whole thing.
  2. The Cyclops episode is among the most important for this class, so be very detailed in your understanding of this part of the epic.
  3. Last week I asked you to find a passage that you will quote and read to the class that you think shows the character of Odysseus - a passage that illustrates the type of person he is. Full credit for reading a passage aloud to the class and being able to explain its significance, zero credit for anything else. Make sure you bring that passage for Monday.
  4. I also asked you last week to find the meaning of Odysseus's name - in YOUR translation. Find and write down the quotation from our translation.
  5. Numbers: in particular, there is a number that is a multiple of 12. Try to find it for further honor and glory and maybe some points.
  6. Read Chapter 4 of the Textbook. In particular, pay attention to the meaning of the word "archetype," and its use. Write down notes so that you can refer to them during discussion, and ask questions in class.

 

 

Week 7 ALL WORK DUE BY FRIDAY 10/11 at 11:59PM

  1. Read Odyssey 13-24.
  2. Take the 2nd Odyssey quiz on Canvas.
  3. You still need to find the passage that explains Odysseus's name: "Metis" or "no one" is one excellent answer, but there is a more explicit passage that explains his name. Quote it directly from our text - that is an official assignment for a grade.
  4. Numbers: please keep notes ongoing about any numbers in the texts we read.

 

Week 8 ALL WORK DUE BY FRIDAY 10/18 at 11:59PM

 

  1. Everything we read and talk about in class this week, and in weeks 1-7 too, are on the midterm. Short readings this week, but a few written assignments are due. THE MOST IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENT IS YOUR MIDTERM REVIEW. TURN THIS IN UNDER DISCUSSIONS BY FRIDAY MARCH 3rd AT 11:59PM. IT MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS IN THIS ORDER:
  2. All definitions of myth including their source. Number each 1-8 (or however many you have)
  3. All dates with a short explanation of their significance. Number each, starting over with 1.
  4. All figures (meaning fictional and real life people) with a brief description. Number each person, starting over with 1.
  5. All terms with a brief definition. Number each  term, starting over with 1.
  6. Read the text called Trojan Cycle Under Content. Answer the following questions on a Canvas Assignment called "Trojan Cycle." It is located under Content.
  7. name the goddess who prevents the Greeks from sailing to Troy
  8. explain in one sentence why the Greeks are unable to sail to Troy
  9. write down the one word that explains why the goddess won't let them sail.
  10. Read Chapter 1 of the Textbook. This is an introduction to a psycho-analytic approach to myth. We will be going over that as soon as possible, but take notes so you have some background. The topics and people mentioned in that introduction will be important to the class.
  11. Read Eridu-Genesis under Content. Take the quiz on Eridu-Genesis under Content.

 

Week 9 ALL WORK DUE BY FRIDAY 10/25 at 11:59PM

  1. Midterm Review due at 11:59pm on Friday night. Some more information to follow. The Readings for next week ARE NOT on the exam. But, you must still do the readings by Wednesday.
  2. Read the Document called Cataclysms under Content/Primary Sources. Obviously, you already read the first story, so skip that.
  3. Keep a list of the most MAJOR figures in each story. So, you should know the major figures in the Vendidad, the Works and Days by Hesiod, the Timaeus by Plato, the Critias by Plato, the Library of Apollodorus, the Metamorphoses by Ovid, etc.
  4. Keep a list of the numbers used in each story. Again, you need to know the titles and any authors (not every work has an author).

 

Week 10 ALL WORK DUE BY FRIDAY 11/1 at 11:59PM

 

  1. Monday: Read Medea. Do not read the introduction or any other material, just read the play itself. Go to the Valencia Library Website and under Databases, find Ebrary. Search for this title:

Greek Tragedy in New Translations : Medea

by  Euripides

Collier, Michael

Machemer, Georgia

  1. Take the quiz on Medea. But, you must also be prepared to volunteer something in class and answer basic questions about the characters and plot. Take about 2 pages of notes so you can speak intelligently when we talk about the plot and characters.
  2. Wednesday: Read Antigone on e-brary. Search for this title. Please do not waste your precious time and energy reading the introduction. Just read the play. Skip everything else:
  3. Take the quiz on Antigone on Canvas under content.  But, you must also be prepared to volunteer something in class and answer basic questions about the characters and plot. Take about 2 pages of notes so you can speak intelligently when we talk about the plot and characters.

 

Antigone by  Sophocles

Gibbons, Reginald and Segal, Charles

 

Week 11 ALL WORK DUE 11/8 at 11:59PM

 

  1. For Monday and Wednesday. Read the Wedding of Peleus and Thetis under Content/Primary Sources. Please at least start this reading for Monday. It is short, so you should be able to finish it on Monday.
  2. Take the Peleus and Thetis quiz.
  3. For Wednesday: Read the Chapter 5 of the textbook and take notes so you can discuss the stories, main figures, and plots in class.

 

Week 12 ALL WORK DUE 11/15 at 11:59PM

 

  1.  Read Chapters Six and Seven of the textbook. Take notes. You owe me a discussion of Chapters Six and Seven on Wednesday: write down the names, be able to summarize the stories, and be able to point out comparisons between those texts and ones you read before.

     

    Week 13 ALL WORK DUE 11/22 at 11:59PM

     

  1. Read the selections from Hyginus under Primary Sources. This is a review and overview of all the Greek myths from the class and is a great review for the final exam.
  2. Read Chapter 7 on Hermes and the Native American Coyote
  3. Read Chapter 8 on the Hero cycle; Gilgamesh; and Herkakles.
  4. Please come prepared to class with notes on Hyginus and AT LEAST chapter 6 by Wednesday. Finish all of the reading in time for the final exam.
  5. I owe your Burkert's biology, Structuralism, and Frazer notes, the readings you do should help you understand these theories.
  6. At the end of the class, please write down 3 questions you would like to see on the exam. Full credit for good questions. For others:

too specific, not specific enough -1

not relevant or important enough -1

question does not have an accurate answer -1

NO NEW ASSIGNMENT DUE FOR 11/29 = THANKSGIVING BREAK

 

Week 14 ALL WORK DUE 12/6

  1. Finish all Chapters of the textbook
  2. Further reading as determined.

 

Final Exam Schedule available online

 

Humanities Department Attendance Policy

Face to Face Classes

Students are allowed five (5) absences during the semester. (NOTE: The instructor does not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences.) Upon the fifth absence, the student will be notified that a further absence will result in their withdrawal from the course. Upon the sixth absence, the student will automatically be withdrawn from the course by the instructor.  A student will be marked absent if they do not answer when their name is called, if their signature does not appear on the sign-in sheet for that day, or if they miss more than 15 minutes of class by arriving late or leaving early. It is the attendance records of the instructor, not the recollections of the student, which will be consulted for proof of attendance/absences.

 

For severe medical conditions that result in excessive absences, consult the Dean of Students concerning Valencia’s medical withdrawal policy.

 

International students, and students receiving financial aid, should be aware of how a “W” will affect their status.

 

 http://international.valenciacollege.edu/current-students/maintaining-visa-status/

 http://valenciacollege.edu/finaid/satisfactory_progress.cfm

 

Online Classes

Attendance in an online class is based on a student's completion of assignments, quizzes, discussion board postings, and tests. Students who fail to complete six (6) assigned items (whether assignments, discussions, quizzes, or exams,) will receive a warning. Upon the seventh (7) missed assignment, the student will automatically be withdrawn from the course by the instructor.

o  (NOTE: The instructor does not distinguish between excused and unexcused absences.)

o   Upon the sixth missed assignment, the student will be notified that missing one other assignment will result in their withdrawal from the course.

o   For severe medical conditions that result in excessive absences, consult the Dean of Students concerning Valencia’s medical withdrawal policy.

o   International students, and students receiving financial aid, should be aware of how a “W” will affect their status.

 

 http://international.valenciacollege.edu/current-students/maintaining-visa-status/

 http://valenciacollege.edu/finaid/satisfactory_progress.cfm

 

Course Objectives

It is expected that all students will:

  1. acquire knowledge of the cultures of the period by learning facts, methods, themes and concepts; expanding thinking skills through recalling information, interrelating information, analyzing another person’s viewpoint and judging the worth of a viewpoint using appropriate criteria.
  2. expand communication skills through reading challenging material, building vocabulary, expressing what others think in your own words, organizing ideas and presenting them clearly.
  3. experience personal growth and integration through personal interpretation of the material, examining personal ideas and affirming and/or changing thinking, feeling, values and perceptions of diverse human cultures.
  4. expand skills and competencies identified in the VCC outcomes.

 

Required Texts:

Jennifer Taylor An Introduction to Comparative Mythology

Other texts and resources are available through Canvas

 

Course Policies:

Students are required to take full responsibility for their success in the course. You are responsible for taking notes on all material discussed in class, as well as changes in assignments, exam dates, etc.  This includes also knowledge of all of Valencia College’s policies; knowledge of all of this course’s policies; and to be equipped and able to use the internet, submit work through Canvas, and view learning materials through Canvas.

Academic honesty: throughout this course, we will discuss our opinions and insights openly. However, when it comes to assignments, quizzes, exams, papers, or responses, you may not share answers with another classmate. Academic honesty is absolutely maintained in this course. You will receive a Zero for any assignment that is plagiarized, and may receive a failing grade for the course.

Communication with Professor: Valencia faculty and staff communicate with students through Valencia Email and Canvas.  It is your responsibility to check your Valencia Email on a regular time frame.  Failure to check your e-mail account does not excuse you from any notices that may be sent to you.

Use professional standards and etiquette. When communicating with your professors, as in all other professional and academic settings, you should use professional standards and etiquette. Emails should include a greeting and closing and should be respectful in tone.

The Professor is not responsible for any technical issues. These issues should be resolved with the help of the Canvas Help Desk or the Academic Success Center.

Participation and contribution to class discussions are required.

Copyrighted Material: All materials provided online are copyrighted and made available for educational purposes only. Students may not reproduce copyrighted material without permission from the appropriate publisher or author.

Discussion Etiquette: Please refrain from making any disparaging or disrespectful comments to any participant in the course and limit your comments to those which directly relate to the topic of discussion.

Deadlines: All deadlines are 11:59pm of the due date. Work submitted past that time will not be accepted.

Quizzes & Exams: must be completed once they are opened. The settings for this course do not allow you to open a quiz, save your work, and return to finish it. Once opened, you must complete it.

Interrupted Quizzes or Exams: No quiz or exam will be reset after the deadline has expired! Occasionally it happens that the internet server fails, Canvas experiences an error, or computers simply freeze. If this happens while taking a quiz or exam, notify the instructor immediately. If the professor receives your email during office hours before the deadline has expired, she will reset the quiz or exam for you to retake it. It is students’ responsibility to take into account that technical errors do occasionally happen, to take into account the professor’s office hours, and to plan to take their quizzes and exams accordingly.

 

Classroom Behavior: Valencia Community College is dedicated to promoting honorable personal and social conduct. By enrolling at Valencia, a student assumes the responsibility for knowing and abiding by the rules articulated in the Student Code of Conduct (6Hx28:10-03). Students who engage in activities that are disruptive to the learning environment will be sent to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action. The following list, though not exhaustive, includes things which are disruptive to the learning environment: preparing homework for other courses during class, engaging in private conversations with classmates while class is in session, excessive tardiness, leaving and re-entering the classroom while the class is in session. Furthermore, the use of any electronic devices is strictly forbidden (students with OSD documentation are the only exception).

 

***Deactivate all cellular telephones and noise-making electronics before entering the classroom***

***IT IS NOT PERMITTED TO TEXT-MESSAGE DURING CLASS***

 

Academic honesty: All students are expected to be in complete compliance with the college policy on academic honesty as set forth in the college catalog and the student handbook. Cheating on an exam or any degree of plagiarism is zealously punished.

Students with disabilities who qualify for academic accommodations must provide a notification from the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs with the instructor, preferably during the first two weeks of class. The Office for Students wit

Disabilities determines accommodations based on appropriate documentation of disabilities. The East Campus Office is located in Building 5, Room 216.

The instructor reserves for himself the right to amend or alter the syllabus and/or course calendar at any time during the semester. It is the student’s responsibility to stay updated on changes announced in class.

Valencia Policy on Academic Dishonesty: 6Hx28:10-16

All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited at Valencia Community College. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, furnishing false information, forgery, alteration or misuse of documents, misconduct during a testing situation, and misuse of identification with intent to defraud or deceive. All work submitted by students is expected to be the result of the students' individual thoughts, research, and self-expression. Whenever a student uses ideas, wording, or organization from another source, the source shall be appropriately acknowledged. Students shall take special notice that the assignment of course grades is the responsibility of the students' individual professor. When the professor has reason to believe that an act of academic dishonesty has occurred, and before sanctions are imposed, the student shall be given informal notice and an opportunity to be heard by the professor. Any student determined by the professor to have been guilty of engaging in an act of academic dishonesty shall be liable to a range of academic penalties as determined by the professor which may include, but not be limited to, one or more of the following: loss of credit for an assignment, examination, or project; a reduction in the course grade; or a grade of "F" in the course. At the option of the professor, the campus provost may be furnished with written notification of the occurrence and the action taken. If such written notice is given, a copy shall be provided to the student. Students guilty of engaging in a gross or flagrant act of academic dishonesty or repeated instances of academic dishonesty shall also be subject to administrative and/or disciplinary penalties which may include warning, probation, suspension and/or expulsion from the College.

 

Valencia Student Code of Conduct: 6Hx28:10-03

Classroom Behavior:

Valencia Community College is dedicated to promoting honorable personal and social conduct. By enrolling at Valencia, a student assumes the responsibility for knowing and abiding by the rules articulated in the Student Code of Conduct (6Hx28:10-03). The instructor reserves the right to refer students who engage in activities that are disruptive to the learning environment to the Dean of Students for disciplinary action. The following list, though not exhaustive, includes things which are disruptive to the learning environment: Use of any electronic devices including but not restricted to: Cell phones, iPods, and laptop computers (documentation from OSD will be taken into consideration); Preparing homework for other courses during class; Engaging in private conversations with classmates while class is in session; Excessive tardiness; Leaving and re-entering the classroom while the class is in session. In addition, Valencia Community College strives to provide a drug-free learning environment for all those involved in the academic experience. Our policy is as follows: In compliance with the provisions of the Federal Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act of 1989, Valencia College will take such steps as are necessary in order to adopt and implement a program to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by Valencia College students or employees on college premises or as part of any college activity.