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Duquesne University

Classical Mythology 

CLSX 123-01

Spring 2008

Dr. Stephen Newmyer
newmyer@duq.edu

12:00 - 12:50 MWF

447 ColH

412-396-6145


Course Objectives: Classical Mythology 123 is a systematic introduction to the mythic tales of Greece and Rome, beginning with an examination of some modern theories on the meaning of myth and the reasons why men mythologize. Lectures will discuss the Greek myths of the creation of the universe and will point out connections between Greek myths and Near Eastern creation myths; then the establishment of the Olympian gods and their possible origins in Near Eastern divinities will be treated in detail. Close attention will then be given to the concept of the hero in Greek mythic thinking, with particular attention given to the Trojan War as a heroic tale. Lectures will be supplemented by slide presentations illustrating the use of classical myths in art from antiquity to the present. No prerequisites exist for the course, and no prior knowledge of Greek, Latin or mythology is presupposed.

Textbooks: (Click on textbook title for link to publisher.)

Requirements: Students will be expected to keep up with all assigned readings and to be able to discuss them in class. The material of the course will be divided into ten units. There will be hour exams after Units I-III, IV-VI, and VII-X. Exams will be based both on lecture material and the textbook and primary source readings. Quizzes on ancient texts read in class may be given at any time. No makeups are allowed on exams or quizzes.  In addition, each student will be asked to prepare a short play or scene of a play dealing with some mythological topic or study studied in class.  Some of these may be performed orally.

Reading Assignments and Topics to be Covered:

  1. Myth: Some Theories and the Sources of Greek Myth Morford, pp. 3-30.
  2. The Greek Creation Myths and their Relationship to Near Eastern Myths, Morford, pp.55-75; Hesiod, Theogony (entire)
  3. The Rise of Zeus and Challenges to his Power
    1. Prometheus: Morford, pp. 86-102; Aeschylus, Prometheus Bound (entire)
    2. The Titanomachy and Gigantomachy: Morford, pp. 78-83.

      Exam (Units I-III)

  4. The Olympian Gods
    1. Zeus: Morford, pp. 115-120.
    2. Hera: Morford, pp. 116-118
    3. Poseidon: Morford, pp. 154-164
    4. Demeter: Morford, pp. 327-346
    5. Hestia: Morford, pp. 113-115
    6. Apollo: Morford, pp. 238-268
    7. Artemis: Morford, pp. 210-236; Euripides, Hippolytus (entire)
    8. Athena: Morford, pp. 165-177
    9. Ares: Morford, pp. 128-130
    10. Hephaestus: Morford, pp. 123-128
    11. Aphrodite: Morford, pp. 179-208
    12. Hermes: Morford, pp. 272-289
  5. The Underworld: Morford, pp. 349-374
  6. Dionysus and Orpheus : Morford, pp. 292-323; 377-385; Euripides, Bacchae (entire).
  7. Exam (Units IV-VI)

  8. The Greek Hero Tales
    1. Perseus: Morford, pp. 547-563
    2. Bellerophon: Morford, pp. 560-563
    3. Heracles: Morford, pp. 564-590
    4. Oedipus: Morford, pp. 406-421; Sophocles: Oedipus the King
    5. The Argonauts: Morford, pp. 621-648
    6. Theseus: Morford, pp. 600-614
  9. The Trojan War: Morford, pp. 466-513
  10. The Homecomings: Morford, pp. 522-544
  11. Aeneas and the Founding of Rome: Morford, pp. 683-693

Final Exam: The final exam will be held in the regularly assigned classroom according to the University final exam schedule. According to that schedule, the final exam will be on Monday, April 28, 2008 from 8:45 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

Departmental Policies:

No class: Monday, January 21, 2008 (Holiday: Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday); Monday—Monday, March 17 —24, 2008 (Spring Break/Easter Break). Wednesday, April 23, 2008 is a Reading Day.

Note: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 classes meet according to the Monday class schedule. Final examinations: Thursday —Wednesday, April 24—30, 2008. University Commencement: Friday, May 2, 2008. Diploma Ceremonies: Saturday, May 3, 2008

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Last Revision: 06-Dec-2007
URL: http://www.classics.duq.edu/Spring/clssx123_sn.html