World Mythology

This class will mostly cover the different myths and legends of Greece and Rome, but will also include myths from Scandinavia, the Middle East, and Britain. We will examine the ways in which early cultures perceived the world by their stories, identifying similar symbols and archetypes. We’ll also compare the ancient myths to some of our more modern “myths” such as Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. Ultimately, the study of mythology can lead not only to a better understanding of ancient cultures, but also of ourselves.

Prerequisite: None
½ credit

Units

Introduction to Mythology
1. Summarize the types and classes of myths.
2. Analyze the various theories on the origin of myths.
3. Differentiate between classical and primitive myths.
Classical Gods and Creation Myths
1. Identify the Greek gods and goddesses and their were their functions.
2. Describe the Greek myth of creation.
3. Compare creation stories of Greece with that of Mesopotamians, Hebrews, and Hindus.
4. Summarize the creation of man, the fall, and the bringing of death into the world as seen by the Greeks.
5. Compare and contrast other cultures beliefs about the creation of man, the fall and death.
6. Summarize the lesser Greek gods and goddesses.
Myths That Explain
1. Summarize how Demeter and Dionysus considered mankind's best friends.
2. Analyze the purpose of explanatory myths.
3. Cite some examples of explanatory myths.
4. Create an explanatory or creation myth.
The Faces of Love
1. Summarize the story of Greek mythologies most famous pair of lovers - Cupid and Psyche.
2. Analyze parallels to the Cupid and Psyche myth through a study of other pairs of mythological lovers.
3. Retell in modern times the stories of Greek lovers via an audio-visual presentation.
Affairs of Zeus
1. Analyze the purposes of the various stories of the love affairs of Zeus.
Monsters and the Underworld
1. Analyze reasons for monsters in myth.
2. Visualize the Greek underworld.
3. Compare the underworld myths of the Greeks and Egyptians.
Heroes
1. Explain reasons for hero myths.
2. Explore concept of hero throughout history.
3. Examine Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece as part of the hero tradition.
4. Identify quests in literature and in life.
5. Examine elements of magic in the story of Perseus while evaluating Perseus' heroic qualities.
6. Evaluate the value of an intellectual, compassionate hero as seen in the story of Theseus.
7. Realize societies emphasis on strength through the stories of Hercules.
8. Compare and contrast Jason, Perseus, Theseus, and Hercules.
Trojan War Epics
1. Investigate the facts and mythological beliefs about the Trojan War.
2. Discover that the epic is our chief source of information about the Trojan War.
3. Relate the mythological story of the Trojan War as told in the Iliad.
4. Visualize the adventures of Odysseus after the Trojan War.
5. Understand the influence of Homer on Virgil in his writing of the Aeneid.
6. Trace the ancestry of the Roman people to their Trojan background.
7. Evaluate what each epic reveals of the culture of the people and their heroes.
Norse Gods and Heroes
1. Analyze how climate affected the development of Norse myths.
2. Compare and contrast the key differences between the Norse and the Greek views on life.
3. Analyze the Norse gods and their powers/roles?
4. Summarize the key Norse myths of creation, the purpose of life, and the end times (Ragnarok).
Arthurian Legends
1. Compare and contrast the differences between legend and myth regarding the Arthurian tales.
2. Summarize the major story lines and themes of the legend of King Arthur.
3. Analyze the influence of the Arthurian legend throughout British history.