CORE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE WORLD MYTHOLOGY For each of the sections that follow, students may be required to analyze, recall, explain, interpret, apply, or evaluate the particular concepts being taught. INTRODUCTION TO MYTHOLOGY
define and identify the characteristics of myths and epics
identify and explain the literary values of myths focusing on plot, setting, characterization, conflict, crisis, climax, theme, irony, foreshadowing and figures of speech
· predict purposes of myths
· distinguish the different characteristics between creation, fertility and hero myths
· illustrate the components of matriarchal societies past and present · · MIDDLE EASTERN MYTHOLOGY
· · · · · · analyze the cultures of the ancient Middle East
identify the customs of the ancient Babylonians through the literature
analyze the effective use of realistic and fantastic elements in creation myths
identify the role of gods and the life cycle in ancient Egyptian life and literature
recognize the symbolism present in Egyptian myths
distinguish the characteristics of a literary hero FAR EAST AND PACIFIC ISLANDS MYTHOLOGY
analyze the cultures of the ancient Far East and Pacific islands
chart the use and importance of cycles of life as a literary tool in Indian literature
delineate roles of gender in an epic
interpret the symbolism of the serpent in Chinese culture
decipher the heroic qualities of a Chinese literary hero
evaluate the essential parts of an epic according to the characteristics of a myth
compare and contrast the customs of the Polynesian peoples with those of the Indian, Chinese and Japanese peoples
· analyze the use of a trickster · · · · · · · BRITISH ISLES AND NORTHERN EUROPE
· · · · · · analyze the cultures of the British Isles
generate meanings for the use of magic in Celtic myths
analyze a British legend
categorize the use of fertility gods in Irish mythology/literature
analyze the cultures of Northern Europe
decipher the role of humor in Norse mythology
GREECE AND ROME
· · · · · · · · analyze the cultures of Greece and Rome
categorize the use of and the combination of patriarchal and matriarchal standards in Greek life and literature
analyze the use of symbolism in Greek mythology
define the qualities of a Greek hero
apply new vocabulary in oral and written language­arete, hubris, ate and nemesis
analyze the role of parents and children in a Roman myth
evaluate the universal flaws of characters in a Greek myth
distinguish, through literary analysis, the elements of fiction and literary devises AFRICA
· · · · · analyze the cultures/tribes of Africa
identify the elements of an African creation myth
compare and contrast characteristics of different African tribal creation myths
identify the theme of African fertility myth
evaluate the values of an African hero THE AMERICAS
· · · · · · analyze the cultures/tribes of Africa
identify the elements of an African creation myth
compare and contrast characteristics of different African tribal creation myths
identify the theme of African fertility myth
evaluate the values of an African hero
analyze the matriarchal societal values present in a Native American creation myth RESEARCH/LIBRARY
evaluate the quality of reference materials to find valid resources for research
illustrate proper use of parenthetical documentation within a written piece or presentation
· identify appropriate resources for selected topics
· construct an appropriate bibliography/works cited page
· utilize research skills to construct a multi­medial product for review · · Revised September 23, 2004 Reviewed December 2008