CLAS C205 (V234)
IUPUI
Summer Session I,
1995
Dr. Robert F. Sutton, Jr.
Associate Professor of Classical Studies
Cavanaugh 501B, 274-2497 (records message)
Summer hours: after class or by appointment
Secretary: Cavanaugh 502C, 274-0062
A survey of classical myth that introduces the major figures and cycles of classical myth through masterpieces of ancient art and literature. Students learn the tales and characters of classical myth and how they are presented in art and literature. They also gain an understanding of myth as a narrative form and its place in society, and actively participate in the mythmaking process.
These required texts are available in the Cavanaugh Bookstore. Other translations may be used.
Morford, M. & R. J. Lenardon, Classical Mythology (ed. 5, Longman
1995)
Carpenter, T. H., Art & Myth in Ancient Greece (Thames & Hudson
1991)
Euripides, Ten Plays, trans. Hadas (for Bacchants,
Medea)
Homer, Odyssey, trans. Lattimore
Ovid, Metamorphoses, trans. Humphries.
Students should also consult Perseus, a multi-media program available on Macintosh computers in the Multi-media Language Resource Center (CA 319) and via server at many locations on campus. Perseus contains translations of basic mythological authors (including Hesiod, Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Pindar, and Apollodorus), an atlas, and hundreds of mythological illustrations, with several indexes and searching tools.
Regular attendance at class and participation in discussion are required. Lectures will present material not easily available from other sources. Frequent absences (more than 10% of the classes) will be noted and will adversely affect grades. Good discussion is possible only if all present have done the reading and are prepared to discuss it. Copies of the reading should be brought to discussions for ready reference.
Seven percent of the Final Grade will be awarded for participation in small group discussions scheduled on the days papers and other assignments are due and covering the same reading. Each student will belong permanently to a group that will discuss questions on the reading distributed in advance. Each member will take a turn as scribe to prepare a summary of the group's discussion that will be collected at the end of class for grading. One percent of the grade will be awarded for attending each of five sessions (one absence permitted), and up to two percent for serving as scribe. Latecomers (after 10 minutes) will receive half credit.
Eight percent of the Final Grade will be awarded for performing a few short assignments on Perseus., culminating in a longer exercise due at the start of class on June 8. Details will be announced later.
Each student will write two brief creative writing exercises, one in each half of the course, from the six possibilities listed in the syllabus. Each will be worth 20% of the Final Grade. Papers should be two to three pages long (typed double-space), and are due at the start of class on the day for which they are assigned. Because of the choice of dates, there will be no substitutions, extensions, or late submissions. In lieu of the second paper only, students may submit creations in another medium (video tape, painting, sculpture, song, etc.) or write a short research paper (3-5 pages long), preferably taking advantage of the resources in Perseus. All such irregular submissions MUST be approved in advance by the instructor, and are due either on the appropriate day for the topic or (for research topics) on June 15.
Papers will be graded primarily for content, though the quality of writing can have a positive or negative effect. Your aim is to demonstrate understanding of the myth and characters involved, particularly as they are treated by authors or artists we have studied. Anyone with a recognized writing problem should contact the Writing Center early (CA 427; 274-2049).
A midterm examination, worth 20% of the Final Grade, will be given at the start of class on June 1. The final exam, worth 25%, is scheduled during the last class meeting on June 20. Both will cover assigned reading and material presented in class; they may include fill-in-the-blank questions, slide identifications, short answer, and essay questions. Makeup exams will be offered only for a valid reason presented in advance (an exam or work in another course is not a valid reason).
Final Grades will be assigned on a ten-point scale (A=90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69) according to the following formula:
Class Discussions: 7%
Perseus Projects: 8
2 Papers (@ 20%): 40
Midterm: 20
Final: 25
Special circumstances may justify deviation from a strict numerical determination of the grade, including a high quality of class participation and steady improvement. Plagiarism (presenting another's work as your own) and other forms of dishonesty will be treated severely; as a minimum students may expect a zero in the assignment concerned, and may risk failing the class.
Honors can be arranged with the IUPUI Honors Program (ES 2126, 274-2660).
Assignments and dates are subject to change with prior notice. Assignments should be read before class on the day assigned. Perseus, is available in the MLRC (CA 319) and hopefully via server at Macintosh clusters.
M & L = Morford & Lenardon.
* denotes required Discussion
1. May 11. Introduction to mythology and to Perseus
M & L, Introduction; Carpenter, Ch. 1;Perseus Zeus & Hera path.
2. May 16. Origins and the Pre-Olympian Gods
M & L, Chs. 4, 1, 2; Carpenter, figs. 94-99, 114-119; Ovid, I, pp. 3-7, 12-16.
Written response to Perseus Zeus & Hera path
3. *May 18. Discussion: Prometheus & Pandora
Paper 1: Prometheus, Uranus, and Cronus discuss Zeus and the new gods
Lecture: Olympians I (Zeus, Hera, Athena, Poseidon, Ares, Hephaistos, Aphrodite)
M & L, Chs. 3, 5-7; Ovid I, pp. 20-27 (Io), VIII, pp. 200-204 (Baucis & Philemon), VI, pp 129-133 (Arachne); Carpenter, figs. 54-65, 66-68, 81-86, 88, 98, 100-101; Perseus on Olympia and images of gods.
4. May 23. Olympians II (Apollo, Artemis, & Hermes)
M & L, Chs. 8-10; Ovid, , III, pp 61-64 (Actaeon), VI, pp 133-139 (Niobe); Carpenter, figs. 45-47, 69-75, 102-104, 130-133, 76-80, ; Perseus on images of the gods and Delphi.
5. *May 25. Discussion: Demeter & Persephone
Paper 2: Demeter & Persephone visit Eleusis after Demophoon has grown
M & L, Ch. 12; Ovid VIII, pp 204-208 (Erysichthon); Carpenter, figs. 41-44, 105-106, 121, 134; Perseus on Eleusis.
Lecture: Dionysos & Tragedy
6. *May 30. Discussion: Euripides, Bacchants
Paper 3: Conversation between Semele, Pentheus & Cadmus in Hades.
M & L, Ch. 11, 13-14; Carpenter, figs. 48-53, 107-110, 120-129, 139-144; Euripides, Bacchants (in Ten Plays)
Lecture: Lands of the Dead; Orpheus. Review
(May 30: Last day to withdraw with automatic W)
7. June 1. MIDTERM EXAMINATION. Come on time.
June 1. Lecture: Heroes & Heroism; Trojan War
M & L, pp. 315-16.
8. *June 6. Discussion: Odyssey
Paper 4: Calypso and Circe visit Penelope after Odysseus' death
M & L Chs. 17, 16; Carpenter, Ch. 9-10, figs. 350-356, ; Odyssey, I, V, IX-XII, XIX, XXIII
Lecture: Perseus, Bellerophon, Meleager & Atalanta; Herakles I
(June 6: last day to withdraw)
9. *June 8. Discussion: Herakles
Lecture: Theseus, Argonauts
M & L, Ch. 19-21, pp 496-504; Carpenter, Ch. 5-7, figs. 284-5; Ovid, VIII, pp 187-198 (Dedalus; Calydonian Boar), X, pp 252-257 (Atalanta & Hippomenes). Perseus: to be announced
10. *June 13. Discussion: Euripides, Medea
Paper 5: Jason and Medea at Jolcus
Lecture: Thebes
M & L, Ch. 22, 15; Carpenter, Ch. 8, figs 260-70; Euripides, Medea.
11. June 15. Roman and Italic Myth; Review
Paper 6: Polyphemus, Narcissus, & Vertumnus discuss the nature of love
M & L, Ch. 24, pp. 556-563; Carpenter, figs. 260-70; Ovid III-IV (for Cadmus, Echo & Narcissus, Pyramis & Thisbe), XIII from p. 326-XV.
12. June 20. FINAL EXAMINATION. Come on time