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EGL 260: Mythology and Literature
Meeting Time and Place: Monday & Wednesday 4:00 – 5:20 in Javits 111
Instructor: Dr. Richard Caputo
Instructor E-Mail: [email protected]
Office Hours and Location: MW 2:00-3:30 and Thurs. 4:00-5:00 in Humanities 1080
Teaching Assistants: There will be several teaching assistants helping with various aspects with the
course. Please consult this course’s Blackboard site for their contact information, office hours and
locations. All have completed this class very, very successfully and are eminently qualified to assist you
in any way!
Course Description: This course will focus on the way mythology has influenced not only literature, but
popular cultural as well. Myths encapsulate some of the hopes and dreams that man has been aspiring to
since a time even before language, as well as the questions and fears he has been wrestling with since
those early days. Because of this, the themes they reflect have been relevant for thousands of years, and
will continue to be for thousands more. They are also the vehicles for archetypes, those fundamental
characters, quests, conflicts and situations that form the building blocks for some of literature’s greatest
works as well as the basis for countless comic book characters, Hollywood films and video games. Our
primary focus will be the journey of the hero, but along the way we will briefly look at some other
archetypal situations and characters as well. To do so, we will examine in detail myths from around the
world, and then explore some works of literature and popular entertainment to see how they have been
shaped and influenced by mythology.
Required Texts: Course materials available at the campus bookstore
Mythology: The Voyage of the Hero, David Adams Leeming
Jason and the Golden Fleece, Apollonius of Rhodes
The Hobbit, J.R.R Tolkien
World Mythology, Donna Rosenberg
Mythology, Edith Hamilton
The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald
Over the course of the semester there will be readings that will be posted on Blackboard. Please make
sure you can access them.
Attendance Policy and Classroom Procedures: Attendance Policy and Classroom Procedures:
While there is no formal attendance policy, if you are not present for class you obviously miss
not only important lecture material, but the frequent quizzes that make up a substantial portion of
your grade. Additionally, DO NOT TEXT MESSAGE OR TALK DURING CLASS. If you do
you will be asked to leave. Finally, please do not arrive late to class as it is disruptive for both
me and the class as a whole.
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The Academic Integrity Code:Do not plagiarize others’ work, have someone else write your papers, or
submit a paper you have written for another course. The consequences, if you are caught, is an F for the
course. This includes reaction papers. All incidents of academic dishonesty will also be forwarded to the
Academic Judiciary for further disciplinary action
Your Grade:
35%, Daily Quizzes and Reaction Papers- There will be a brief, 5-10 question quiz at the beginning of
every class period. These quizzes are not intended to be difficult so I will not be asking you about minor
details and plot points about the day’s reading assignment. Rather, I will be asking you about major
characters and events. Please note that missed quizzes cannot be made up for any reason.
25%- Midterm Exam
25%- Final Exam
15%, Final Paper- The final paper is due on the last day of class. Specific information on the paper will be
posted on Blackboard
A note on participation: In a class of this size it would be unfair and impractical to make class
participation a mandatory percentage of your final grade. However, I very strongly encourage active
and lively discussion of the course material and will frequently ask questions during lecture. The TA’s
and I will certainly notice those students who actively and consistently participate in classroom
discussion and that can only help your final grade. Also, this course will make use of Blackboard’s
discussion forum to augment and continue classroom discussion. Participating and that can also earn
participation extra credit.
TENTATIVE READING AND EXAM SCHEDULE
INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL
Monday, January 27th- Introduction to the Class
Wednesday, January 29th- The Stages of the Hero’s Journey
PART I: THE ORIGINS OF THE HERO’S JOURNEY
Monday, February 3rd and Wednesday, February 5th- THE MIRACULOUS CONCEPTION/BIRTH &
HIDING OF THE CHILD
READINGS: The Voyage of the Hero- Leda and Helen, Maha-Maya and Buddha, , Dughda and Zoroaster,
Siegfried, Kunti and Karna, Changing Woman, Water Jar Boy, Kutoyis, Mary and Jesus (have all read
for Monday’s class)
Monday, February 10th and Wednesday, February 12th -CHILDHOOD, INITIATION & DIVINE SIGNS
AND PREPARATION, MEDITATION, REFUSAL AND WITHDRAWAL
READINGS: The Voyage of the Hero- From Part 3: Krishna, Heracles, Odysseus, King Arthur,
Cuchulainn, Siegfried, David, Buddha, Jesus From Part 4: Buddha, Jesus, Isaac Tens, Wunzh, Percival,
Odysseus and Achilles (have all read or Monday’s class)
Monday, February 17th -TRIAL AND QUEST, PART I
READINGS: Edith Hamilton’s Mythology: Perseus, Theseus, and Atalanta
Wednesday, February 19th- TRIAL AND QUEST, PART II
READINGS: Edith Hamilton’s Mythology: Hercules
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Monday, February 24th -TRIAL AND QUEST, PART III
READINGS: The Epic of Gilgamesh, Chapters 1-4(reading in World Mythology)
Wednesday, February 26th - TRIAL AND QUEST, PART IV
READINGS: The Epic of Gilgamesh, Chapters 5-8
Monday, March 3rd -DEATH AND RESURRECTION
READINGS: Edith Hamilton’s Mythology: Adonis (found under 3 Flower Myths) AND Dionysus or
Bacchus……From World Mythology: Osiris, Isis and Horus…..The Attis Myth (Blackboard)……From
The Voyage of the Hero: Jesus (175)
Wednesday, March 5th - THE DESCENT INTO THE UNDERWORLD, PART I
READINGS:From The Voyage of the Hero: Inanna, Jesus, Orpheus and Eurydice…..From World
Mythology: Demeter and Persephone
Monday, March 10th -THE DESCENT INTO THE UNDERWORLD, PART II
READINGS: From World Mythology: The Odyssey
Wednesday, March 12th- Introduction to Jason and the Argonauts
MARCH 17th and MARCH 19th – SPRING RECESS, NO CLASS
JASON AND THE GOLDEN FLEECE: APPLYING THE HERO’S JOURNEY
Monday, March 24th- Jason and the Golden Fleece, Books I and II
Wednesday, March 26th- Jason and the Golden Fleece, Books III and IV
Monday, March 31st- MIDTERM REVIEW
Wednesday, April 2nd- MIDTERM EXAM
PART II: THE HERO’S JOURNEY IN POPULAR CULTURE
The Hobbit
Monday, April 7th- Introduction to Tolkien and The Hobbit
Wednesday, April 9th-The Hobbit, Chapters 1-4
Monday, April 14th- The Hobbit, Chapters 5-7
Wednesday, April 16th- The Hobbit, Chapters 8-10
Monday, April 21st - The Hobbit, Chapters 11-15
Wednesday, April 23rd - The Hobbit, Chapters 16-19 AND Introduction to The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby
Monday, April 28th - The Great Gatsby, Chapters 1-2
Wednesday, April 30th- The Great Gatsby , Chapters 3-5
Monday, May 5th-The Great Gatsby, Chapters 6-8
Wednesday, May 7th - The Great Gatsby, Chapter 9, FINAL PAPER DUE, FINAL EXAM REVIEW
FINAL EXAM: TUESDAY, MAY 13th FROM 8:00 – 11:30 PM IN OUR USUAL ROOM
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ENGLISH B.A LEARNING OUTCOMES ADDENDUM
1.
Read texts closely with attention to nuances of language, content and form; such texts
include published works and drafts of student writing for the purposes of peer review. (via
quizzes and examinations)
2.
Write focused, organized and convincing analytical essays in clear, standardized English
prose, making use of feedback from teachers and peers (via final paper)
3.
Locate, evaluate, synthesize and incorporate relevant primary and secondary source
materials into thesis-driven, interpretive essays of increasing length and complexity
4.
Understand conventions of literary study, including: familiarity with literary terms,
genres, devices; knowledge of poetic, dramatic, narrative and rhetorical forms; awareness of
literary criticism and theory (via lecture and classroom discussion)
5.
Participate in discussions by listening to others’ perspectives, asking productive questions,
and articulating ideas with nuance and clarity.
6.
Know a broad range of English and American literatures with an understanding of how
texts emerge from, respond to and shape historical and cultural contexts.
7.
Read non-Western literatures with attention to aesthetic traditions particular to these
bodies of literature and awareness of how texts emerge from, respond to and shape historical and
cultural contexts (this course is very heavy with respect to non-Western content)