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ISSI402 Classical Mythology and Religion
Spring, 2006
TH 12:30-1:45,
Wallace Hall 115
Instructor | Course description |
Texts | Class format | Course Handouts
Goals, requirements, and evaluation |
Web access | Schedule
Instructor: Dr. V. Wine (Return to
menu); office: WH 115A; office hours: MTWHF 9-9:15
and by appointment or happenstance.
Course
description: This course fulfills the senior-level Issues and
Ideas component of the Monmouth College General Education requirement
for graduation. It is a liberal arts course without prerequisites, designed
for all students, whatever their majors may be. The Monmouth College
catalogue gives the following description of Issues and Ideas
courses:
[These courses] address issues and ideas that
any responsible citizen must confront. These are courses which draw upon
the maturity and intellectual flexibility of students in their senior year.
They engage the student with problems and ideas that directly address the
conditions and well-being of life.
These courses include, but are not limited
to, issues and ideas such as the continuing presence of war; what we
understand a just society to be; the question of personal identity and the
self; or responsible relationships with the natural world.
These courses incorporate the perspectives of
various viewpoints since they deal with questions that transcend immediate
professional and intellectual vantages. They elicit a
recognition of and a critical response to shared and continuing
human concerns.
Classical Mythology and Religion uses
the myths and religions of the ancient Greeks and Romans as a framework for
discussing issues of religion and spirituality in the modern world. The
course challenges students to reflect upon and to develop their feelings
about how spirituality and deity factor in their lives and how humanity
fits into the "grand scheme of things." Classical
Mythology and Religion starts from the premise that one people's
religion is another people's myths and considers the relationship between
religion and mythology. The issues and ideas addressed in this course
include the following:
What is religion and religious truth?
What is the role of deity in human life?
What is the place of a human being in the world?
Course readings, class discussions and
lectures will provide background on the relationship between religion and
mythology in the ancient world, especially among the Greeks and Romans.
Students will be expected to use this material in order to reflect upon
their own religious beliefs and world views. (Return to
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Texts:
Athanassakis, Apostolos N. The Homeric Hymns
Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press
2004
Burkert,
Walter.
Ancient Mystery Cults
Cambridge: Harvard University Press
1987
Meyer,
Marvin W.
The Ancient Mysteries
Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press
1986
Nagle,
Betty Rose.
Ovid's Fasti. Roman Holidays
Bloomington: Indiana University Press
1995
Note:
You are also expected to have ready access to a Bible. Click
here for an electronic version.
(Return to menu)
Class
format: The emphasis of this class is discussion of the assigned
readings in terms of one's own religious beliefs and world view.
Willingness of class members to read and reflect upon assigned readings in
advance and to express their opinions in class is essential to the success
of each class. It is expected that everyone attend class regularly, read
the assignments carefully, and come to class prepared to discuss them. (Return to menu)
Goals,
requirements, and evaluation: The final grade will comprise Class
Participation and Quizzes (30%), Personal Statements (30%), Individualized
Project (30%), Group Presentation (5%), and Other (5%). Daily participation
in class discussions and readiness when called upon is expected;
volunteering information and opinions contributes to participation points.
Quizzes, whether announced or not, may not be made up, and other make-up
work is not discussed if the student has more than four absences. Grading
scale: A 100-90, B 89-76, C 75-61, D 60-50.
Personal
statements will be assigned approximately each week on class discussion and
course reading. At least 600 words (two full typed pages) in length, these
statements are informal, short, non-research essays on discussion topics.
They are not just summaries of what was said or what was read. They should
go beyond mere recording of events to include personal analysis and
commentary. Emphasis will be on (1) integration of the student's own ideas
and thoughts with the subject matter of the course and on (2) coherent and
logical expression of these ideas, including clear and grammatical writing.
In these statements you will briefly summarize the main points, offer your
own opinion and thoughts about the topics raised, and support your
statement with specific data. Submission of the work on time earns the
student one point. Additional points will be earned for following content
and stylistic requirements and for personal analysis and commentary.
The
individualized project and group presentation are described on the website.
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Web access: Readings, web links, this syllabus, and other
information are available via the MC website. Access the Department of
Classics homepage, Syllabi, Spring 2006; or http://department.monm.edu/classics/Courses/Syllabi/2006SpringCourses.htm
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SCHEDULE
OF ACTIVITIES
Schedule:
The following schedule outlines discussion topics, reading assignments, and
due dates for assignments, It may be changed as necessary, and the student
is responsible for making note of any changes announced in class.
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