Duquesne University Classical Mythology  CLSX 123-61 Fall 2007

S. Miller sarahalisonmiller@gmail.com 6:00-8:40 Wednesday, 548 ColH 412-396-6453

Course Objectives: This course is an introduction to classical mythology through the literature of ancient Greece and Rome . Through readings of selected texts from the 8 th century B.C. to the 1 st century A.D., we will consider how classical myths express the societal values, hopes, fears, and prejudices of the cultures that produced them. After examining some modern theories about the meaning of myth and the relationship between myth and literature, we will explore what classical mythology communicates about the creation of the universe, divine and human interaction, heroism, erotic love, gender differences, violence, and death. Particular attention will be given to the representation of male heroism in accounts of the Trojan War, and to the representation of women in tragic and epic literature.

No prerequisites exist for the course.

Textboooks: Click the links to view/order the textbooks

• Homers' The Iliad, translated by Robert Fagles, Penguin Classics, NY, 1998, ISBN: 0-14-027536-3
• Aristophanes' Lysistrata, translated by Sarah Ruden. Hackett, 2003 ISBN: 0-87220-604-1
• Euripides' Medea, translated by Michael Collier. Oxford University Press, 2006, ISBN: 0-19-514565-8
• Grene, Greek Tragedies, V.1. University of Chicago Press , 2 nd edition 1992, ISBN: 0-2-2630790-9
• Hesiods' Poems of Hesiod, Introduction by R. M. Frazer, University of Oklahoma Press, May 1983. ISBN: 0-8061-1846-6
• Ovids' Metamorphoses, translated by Melville. Oxford University Press, 1998. ISBN: 0-19-283472-X
• Virgils' Aeneid, translated by Robert Fitzgerald. Knopf Publishing Group (Vingage) June 1990. ISBN: 0-679-72952-6

Final Exam: The final examination will be held in the regularly assigned classroom and accordingly to the final exam schedule published in the Schedule of Classes Fall 2007catalog. According to that schedule, the final for Clsx 123-61 will be on Monday, December 17, 2007 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Departmental Policies:

• Academic Integrity: Each student's grade should reflect only that student's achievement. Thus cheating, plagiarism, assisting or allowing someone else to violate academic honesty are each grounds for receiving a grade of "F" for the course. The Department of Classics adheres to the University policy for Academic Integrity found in the current Student Handbook.  For a complete copy of the Student Handbook, go to www.duq.edu/frontpages/main/handbook.html.
• Office Hours: The professor is available Mondays from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. in 406 College Hall.
• Attendance: Missed classes may number no more than twice the credits per semester (including excused absences). Excessive absence may result in automatic failure.
• Make ups: A student may not take makeup quizzes or tests without previously submitting to the instructor a written official, verifiable excuse.
• Final Grades: A(4.0), B(3.0), C(2.0), D(1.0) or F(0). There will be no plus/minus grades assigned for final grades.
• Physical Limitations: Any student who feels that, due to physical disabilities, psychological disabilities, or learning disabilities, special assistance may be required to complete the course successfully MUST both a) be registered with the Duquesne University Office of Special Student Services for the disability, and b) inform the instructor by the third hour of the class meeting. Disabilities which are not substantiated by the Duquesne University Office of Special Student Services or which are made known later than the third hour of class meeting may render ineffectual the provision of assistance required to complete the course successfully.

No class: Monday, September 3, 2007 (Holiday: Labor Day); Thursday, November 1, 2007 (Holy Day: All Saints Day); Monday—Friday, November 19 —23, 2007 (Holiday: Thanksgiving)

Note:  TUESDAY, December 11, 2007 classes meet according to THURSDAY class schedule.

Final Examinations: Wednesday - Tuesday, December 12—18, 2007

Commencement: Thursday, December 20, 2007