Myth and Folk
Course Description
*Course and materials adapted from the great Ty Devoe
Welcome to Myth and Folk.
People have always been mythmakers, trying to find explanations to events occurring in the surrounding world. Animals, for example, watch each other die but, as far as we know, they give the matter no further consideration. Yet even the primitive treasures in the graves of Neanderthal tribes demonstrate and attempt to form a counter-narrative to death. Human beings are meaning-seeking creatures. From the very beginning we invented stories that enabled us to place our lives in a larger setting, revealed an underlying pattern, and gave us a sense that, against all the often depressing and chaotic evidence to the contrary, life had meaning and value.
The study of mythology, particularly in its relevance to our daily lives, can yield rich results for the dedicated student. Our approach to mythology and folklore this semester will grant you the opportunity for cultural awareness and self-discovery. It is largely psychology and sociology through mythology. I hope you walk away knowledgeable and enlightened.
With that said, let’s look at the course itself. The principle goal of this course is to give you a working familiarity with the major mythos of the world, particularly the myths of Classical Greece and, to a lesser extent, Rome, mainly through examining primary sources, both literary and visual, with a particular focus on the role of heroes. We will also examine the nature and social function of mythology, studying a number of different ancient and modern theories. Also considered will be legacy of classical mythology in modern art and literature, including popular culture. Students will learn how mythic narrative patterns and symbols function in western culture. We will also delve into Norse, Arthurian, Egyptian, Indian, Native American, and many other cultural stories. Assignments in this course are designed to give you the freedom to explore your own humanity through extensive writing and reading; I hope you will think, reflect, and grow. The essential question that we will continually explore throughout our journey through mythology is: "Is being human something good, bad, tragic, or evil?" Your opinion on this matter may change frequently as you ponder human nature, the human condition, and your own life and role in this world. You will be discussing a great deal with your peers and your currently held beliefs will either be challenged and changed, or your current beliefs will be further solidified. In either case, you will think, reflect, and grapple with issues important to every human being at various stages of life.
Welcome to Myth and Folk.
People have always been mythmakers, trying to find explanations to events occurring in the surrounding world. Animals, for example, watch each other die but, as far as we know, they give the matter no further consideration. Yet even the primitive treasures in the graves of Neanderthal tribes demonstrate and attempt to form a counter-narrative to death. Human beings are meaning-seeking creatures. From the very beginning we invented stories that enabled us to place our lives in a larger setting, revealed an underlying pattern, and gave us a sense that, against all the often depressing and chaotic evidence to the contrary, life had meaning and value.
The study of mythology, particularly in its relevance to our daily lives, can yield rich results for the dedicated student. Our approach to mythology and folklore this semester will grant you the opportunity for cultural awareness and self-discovery. It is largely psychology and sociology through mythology. I hope you walk away knowledgeable and enlightened.
With that said, let’s look at the course itself. The principle goal of this course is to give you a working familiarity with the major mythos of the world, particularly the myths of Classical Greece and, to a lesser extent, Rome, mainly through examining primary sources, both literary and visual, with a particular focus on the role of heroes. We will also examine the nature and social function of mythology, studying a number of different ancient and modern theories. Also considered will be legacy of classical mythology in modern art and literature, including popular culture. Students will learn how mythic narrative patterns and symbols function in western culture. We will also delve into Norse, Arthurian, Egyptian, Indian, Native American, and many other cultural stories. Assignments in this course are designed to give you the freedom to explore your own humanity through extensive writing and reading; I hope you will think, reflect, and grow. The essential question that we will continually explore throughout our journey through mythology is: "Is being human something good, bad, tragic, or evil?" Your opinion on this matter may change frequently as you ponder human nature, the human condition, and your own life and role in this world. You will be discussing a great deal with your peers and your currently held beliefs will either be challenged and changed, or your current beliefs will be further solidified. In either case, you will think, reflect, and grapple with issues important to every human being at various stages of life.
Posts
11/03/15--Class Info
*Read and annotate article on altruism
*Student-led discussion on article and myths--collect myths (Gerda and Frey, Nyneve, Alcetis and Admetus, and Odysseus and Penelope) and article
*new myth tracker and freewrite
HW: 1. Myth Quest 7 due Friday. 2. Position and Power Freewrite due tomorrow.
11/02/15--Class Info
Can you believe it's November already?!
*Myth Quest #7
*Today we shared out the songs you chose for your project and I collected them. We will discuss myths tomorrow.
HW: 1. Myth Quest 7 due Friday. 2. Read and annotate Alcetis and Admetus and Odysseus and Penelope...I will collect this and Gerda and Frey and Nyneve tomorrow.
10/30/15--Class Info
Easy Fun day today---Watched a History Channel video on the history of the myths, folklore, and rituals of Halloween. Handed out the last myths for the Love and Relationships unit.
HW:1. Song assignment due Monday. 2. Read and annotate last myths for Tuesday.
10/29/15--Class Info
*Today we shared out some of your metaphors for extra credit. I really enjoyed hearing all the creative and insightful things you had to say. I look forward to looking at the rest of them. I collected the project.
*We then briefly discussed the article on Freud you got yesterday and I collected it along with the half-page response. We are saving discussion of the myths since we didn't have time today.
HW: 1. Song assignment due Monday. 2. Gerda et. al....read and annotate if you didn't already.
10/28/15--All Your Girlfriends Are the Same
Read and annotate...half page response, collect in class
10/28/15--Class Info
*I have a sub today, but here's the agenda...
*Complete Student Paths survey
*Read and annotate Freud article and write a response of at least half a page...your response should include things such as what you agree/disagree with and why, what you find interesting and why, what questions does this bring up for you, myths that can apply, etc....staple your response to the back of the article. Collected by the sub at the end of the period.
HW: 1. Metaphor assignment due tomorrow (Thursday). 2. Gerda and Frey and Nyneve due tomorrow (Thursday). 3. Song assignment due Monday.
10/27/15--Gerda and Frey and Nyneve's Transformation
Due Thursday
10/27/15--Class Info
*Today we had a student-led discussion on "Zeus and Hera" and "Arthur and Guinevere" and I collected it at the end of the period.
HW: 1. Metaphor project due Thursday. 2. "Gerda and Frey" and "Nyneve" due Thursday. 3. Song project due Monday.
10/26/15--Live Metaphor Assignment
Due Thursday. Image each of the albums you create with this assignment is a collection of songs about love and relationships. Explain the connection in your paragraph response for each album. Each of the 5 albums should look like the sample on this assignment sheet...with the band name and album name on top of the image. Please print in color if you can.
10/26/15--Myth Love song assignment
Due Monday, November 2nd. Extra credit for sharing with the class.
10/26/15--Class Info
*Today I collected any last personal statements that needed to be turned in. Any that are turned in after today, are considered late and will be docked 10% for every day they are late.
*I handed out your Love Song Project--this is due next Monday, November (!) 2nd.
*We began a live metaphor assignment. Remember, in your paragraph explanation for each album, you need to explain how the band name, album title, and album art all work together. You must imagine that the album is a collection of songs about love and relationships. Let your imagination run wild. Have fun!
HW: 1. Metaphor assignment due Thursday. 2. Song Project due Monday. 3. Zeus and Hera, Arthur and Guinevere due tomorrow.