Post by Mr. S on Sept 9, 2010 10:14:43 GMT -5
Introduction to Mythology
Teacher: Mr. Sisson
Course Syllabus
Plainwell High School
Course Description
The term “Mythology” is rather obviously defined as “The study of myths.” But what is a myth? Is it merely an “untrue story,” told for entertainment value like a sit-com or an action movie? Are ancient “myths” just crazy tales about tough guys killing monsters with broadswords (like in World of Warcraft?), or beautiful, rich, and narcissistic divine beings who don't care about the fate of the world (if you're unsure about a modern analogy, you apparently don't stand in check out lines at your local grocery store) Is there something more to the literature in myths that has pervaded history, and which happens, unperceived, all around us every day? Is there a connection between ourselves and the ancients? To what does a baseball game compare in ancient mythology? What about a sweet luxury car(?) or a new ipod(??) We will find answers to these questions (and many more) in this class. Other topics covered include ethics, the free will of man, the fickle nature of ancient divine beings, as well as other social and political topics.
The Practical Use of Mythology
Skills acquired by studying mythology can be useful in all areas of life. The main benefits, however, lie in acquiring the ability to think critically and analytically in an organized way about confusing and controversial questions; to react to criticism not with outrage or fear but with a willingness to state the grounds for one’s views and to listen and learn from the views of others, and to recognize ancient, archetypal patterns acted out in the modern world as well as in our own lives.
What Do I Have To Do?
The success of this course depends greatly on the willingness of the student to be mature and open-minded. This means that students must be willing to present their thoughts, ask questions, and listen and learn from their peers.
This class will be an interactive environment in which students come to class prepared to talk, present and challenge each other’s ideas, and feel comfortable expressing their own opinions. If you consider yourself self-motivated and willing to learn and to teach, then this is the class for you.
Materials Required:
Organization is a much needed skill for anyone who plans to be successful, thus, you are required to keep a mythology portfolio, (a.k.a. “notebook”). You will keep this binder in the classroom so that you can add lecture and discussion notes to it throughout the week.
source:
www.shstigers.com/Electives/philosophy_homepage.htm
Grading Policy
Students actively engaged in all discussions, projects, papers, etc., and able to abide by the following criterion shall earn full points for this class.
Academic Standards
Content
What students will know:
Learning Indicators
By the end of the trimester, students will be able to:
Arts and Humanities
9.2 Historical and Cultural
Contexts
Identify, explain and analyze
mythological beliefs as they relate to
works in the arts.
Identify, explain and analyze religious
beliefs as they relate to works in the
arts.
List and describe the major myths and their impact on literature.
List and describe the major sacred texts of
the world’s religions and their impact on
the arts and literature.
9.4 Aesthetic Response
Evaluate an individual's statements about a mythological work and its relationship to one’s own life based on knowledge and experience
Explain the impact of a mythological or
religious writing on the student’s view of
the world.
Historical
8.1 Analysis and Skills
Development
Synthesize and evaluate historical
sources.
Take a position and defend it
Raise questions about situations or
events
Write an essay evaluating a mythological or
religious idea.
Complete a research project using
evidence from primary and secondary
sources to justify a position.
Write a paper comparing and contrasting
two different versions of the same concept
in mythology or religion.
8.4 World History
Evaluate historical documents, material
artifacts and historic sites important to
world history.
Evaluate how continuity and change
throughout history has impacted belief
systems and religions.
List the role myths have played politically,
economically, and socially in the modern
era.
Reading Writing, Speaking,
and Listening
1.2 Reading Critically in All
Content Areas
Read and understand essential content
of informational texts and documents in
all academic areas.
Critique the world view of mythological authors
1.5 Quality of Writing
Write with a sharp, distinct focus.
Write using well-developed content
appropriate for the topic.
Produce a project on a
philosophic or religious idea.
Meet the requirements set forth in the
rubric for each project during each report
period.
1.6 Speaking and Listening
Participate in small and large group
discussions and presentations.
Defend a position and meet the
requirements set forth in the speaking and
presentation rubric for social studies .
Class Rules- Can be found on The Wall.
COURSE MATERIALS
TEXT:
Hamilton, E.. Mythology, Little, Brown and Co., Copyright 1942.
SUPPLEMENTARY Materials: available in classroom, at your favorite library, on-line, etc.
WEBSITES:
You may use whatever recources you can find, however, you will be challenged on the credibility of your sources, so be sure that they are legitimate
STUDENT ASSESSMENT
SAMPLE ESSAY QUESTION
The following is an example of the type of essay question found on each examination.
-Discuss the ways in which myths functioned as literature, science, and religion.
Sample "A" Grade Essay:
As literature, the myths offer complex, engaging, and often amusing entertainment. Even the brutal stories of Oedipus and Orestes became famous plays designed to engage a viewing audience. The scientific aspect of the myths is most visible in those that attempt to explain certain phenomena—the stories of Pyramus and Thisbe (why mulberries are red), Procne and Philomela (why the swallow has no song), and Hercules at Gibraltar (how the Rock of Gibraltar appeared) are classic examples. In a broader sense, the world of the Olympians offered general explanations for the mysteries of the universe. The ground is barren in winter because Demeter is mourning. Lightning occurs when Zeus is angry. More generally, strange, sad and undeservedly bad things happen because it is merely the nature of the gods or the decree of the Fate...
source:http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mythology/study.html#explanation3
Teacher: Mr. Sisson
Course Syllabus
Plainwell High School
Course Description
The term “Mythology” is rather obviously defined as “The study of myths.” But what is a myth? Is it merely an “untrue story,” told for entertainment value like a sit-com or an action movie? Are ancient “myths” just crazy tales about tough guys killing monsters with broadswords (like in World of Warcraft?), or beautiful, rich, and narcissistic divine beings who don't care about the fate of the world (if you're unsure about a modern analogy, you apparently don't stand in check out lines at your local grocery store) Is there something more to the literature in myths that has pervaded history, and which happens, unperceived, all around us every day? Is there a connection between ourselves and the ancients? To what does a baseball game compare in ancient mythology? What about a sweet luxury car(?) or a new ipod(??) We will find answers to these questions (and many more) in this class. Other topics covered include ethics, the free will of man, the fickle nature of ancient divine beings, as well as other social and political topics.
The Practical Use of Mythology
Skills acquired by studying mythology can be useful in all areas of life. The main benefits, however, lie in acquiring the ability to think critically and analytically in an organized way about confusing and controversial questions; to react to criticism not with outrage or fear but with a willingness to state the grounds for one’s views and to listen and learn from the views of others, and to recognize ancient, archetypal patterns acted out in the modern world as well as in our own lives.
What Do I Have To Do?
The success of this course depends greatly on the willingness of the student to be mature and open-minded. This means that students must be willing to present their thoughts, ask questions, and listen and learn from their peers.
This class will be an interactive environment in which students come to class prepared to talk, present and challenge each other’s ideas, and feel comfortable expressing their own opinions. If you consider yourself self-motivated and willing to learn and to teach, then this is the class for you.
Materials Required:
Organization is a much needed skill for anyone who plans to be successful, thus, you are required to keep a mythology portfolio, (a.k.a. “notebook”). You will keep this binder in the classroom so that you can add lecture and discussion notes to it throughout the week.
source:
www.shstigers.com/Electives/philosophy_homepage.htm
Grading Policy
Students actively engaged in all discussions, projects, papers, etc., and able to abide by the following criterion shall earn full points for this class.
Academic Standards
Content
What students will know:
Learning Indicators
By the end of the trimester, students will be able to:
Arts and Humanities
9.2 Historical and Cultural
Contexts
Identify, explain and analyze
mythological beliefs as they relate to
works in the arts.
Identify, explain and analyze religious
beliefs as they relate to works in the
arts.
List and describe the major myths and their impact on literature.
List and describe the major sacred texts of
the world’s religions and their impact on
the arts and literature.
9.4 Aesthetic Response
Evaluate an individual's statements about a mythological work and its relationship to one’s own life based on knowledge and experience
Explain the impact of a mythological or
religious writing on the student’s view of
the world.
Historical
8.1 Analysis and Skills
Development
Synthesize and evaluate historical
sources.
Take a position and defend it
Raise questions about situations or
events
Write an essay evaluating a mythological or
religious idea.
Complete a research project using
evidence from primary and secondary
sources to justify a position.
Write a paper comparing and contrasting
two different versions of the same concept
in mythology or religion.
8.4 World History
Evaluate historical documents, material
artifacts and historic sites important to
world history.
Evaluate how continuity and change
throughout history has impacted belief
systems and religions.
List the role myths have played politically,
economically, and socially in the modern
era.
Reading Writing, Speaking,
and Listening
1.2 Reading Critically in All
Content Areas
Read and understand essential content
of informational texts and documents in
all academic areas.
Critique the world view of mythological authors
1.5 Quality of Writing
Write with a sharp, distinct focus.
Write using well-developed content
appropriate for the topic.
Produce a project on a
philosophic or religious idea.
Meet the requirements set forth in the
rubric for each project during each report
period.
1.6 Speaking and Listening
Participate in small and large group
discussions and presentations.
Defend a position and meet the
requirements set forth in the speaking and
presentation rubric for social studies .
Class Rules- Can be found on The Wall.
COURSE MATERIALS
TEXT:
Hamilton, E.. Mythology, Little, Brown and Co., Copyright 1942.
SUPPLEMENTARY Materials: available in classroom, at your favorite library, on-line, etc.
WEBSITES:
You may use whatever recources you can find, however, you will be challenged on the credibility of your sources, so be sure that they are legitimate
STUDENT ASSESSMENT
SAMPLE ESSAY QUESTION
The following is an example of the type of essay question found on each examination.
-Discuss the ways in which myths functioned as literature, science, and religion.
Sample "A" Grade Essay:
As literature, the myths offer complex, engaging, and often amusing entertainment. Even the brutal stories of Oedipus and Orestes became famous plays designed to engage a viewing audience. The scientific aspect of the myths is most visible in those that attempt to explain certain phenomena—the stories of Pyramus and Thisbe (why mulberries are red), Procne and Philomela (why the swallow has no song), and Hercules at Gibraltar (how the Rock of Gibraltar appeared) are classic examples. In a broader sense, the world of the Olympians offered general explanations for the mysteries of the universe. The ground is barren in winter because Demeter is mourning. Lightning occurs when Zeus is angry. More generally, strange, sad and undeservedly bad things happen because it is merely the nature of the gods or the decree of the Fate...
source:http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/mythology/study.html#explanation3