| In Class |
For Next Class |
An Introduction: What is a God?
What is Myth? What is
Religion? |
Jan.
17
Course Introductions
Time and Place
One
Person's Religion
What is your definition of
"god"?
What is a god?
Jason
Silva's "What is god?"
Catholic Definition of God
Jewish God /
Jewish Definition of God
God in Islam /
Islamic Concept of God
Hindu God /
Hindu Concept of God
Six Personality Traits of God
What
Does God Need with a Starship?
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Watch this 24-minute lecture by
James O'Donnell
and in a two page
essay, compare the view of deity described by O'Donnell to
your own. At the end of your paper, add a two- or
three-sentence summary of this comparison to share with the
class. |
Jan. 19
Discussion of Concepts of
Deity
Characteristics of Greek
Deity
Greek Gods
/
Zeus (Jupiter)
Myth vs. Religion
Zeus and Religion:
Cleanthes' Hymn to Zeus
/ Olympia
|
As you read these essays on myth and religion
Andrew Neuendorf /
Allen F. Alford,
compare the views
expressed to your own. Summarize this
comparison in a 100-word paragraph. |
Jan. 24
Discussion of
Neuendorf and Alford essays
Ancient Theories of
Myth (Zeus)
On
Myths and Sisyphean Tasks and
"The
Web of Myth" |
Take notes while you watch the
Story
of Zeus (History Channel). Then use the notes you took
on the film to compose five discussion questions you would
like the class to address. Submit both your notes and your
questions at the next class.
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Jan. 26
and Jan. 31
Discussion about Zeus
Modern Theories
of Myth (Zeus) |
Jan. 26: In a two-page essay discuss at
least two theories of myth which you
think best apply to Zeus
Jan. 31:
Use the chart provided to track the Multifunctionalism of
Zeus
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Feb. 2
Greek Pantheon /
The Pantheon
/
The Major Gods /
Genealogical Tables /
Parthenon Frieze
The Pantheon
/ The Major Gods
/
12 Olympian Gods
/
Genealogy of the Gods
Outline of Hesiod's Theogony
Structure of Hesiod's Theogony
(focus on Uranus and Gaia, Cronos and Rhea) /
Peter Struck's Notes
Powerpoint Intro to
Theogony
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In groups of three, prepare a visual
introduction and presentation on a Classical deity. Each
member of the group will prepare a Powerpoint presentation on two
images of the deity found in
The Olympian
Gods: Images and Texts.
(You are also free to use images from other sources.) The group will
provide basic information about the deity, briefly tell the
myths depicted in the images, compare the images and
make some general observations about the deity based upon
these comparisons. In its presentation the group should
refer to at least two theories (ancient or modern) of myth,
Each presentation should end with one meaty question
intended to generate class discussion. This presentation will be at least
ten
minutes long but no longer than fifteen minutes.
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Feb. 7
A survey
of
gods and goddesses
Powerpoints: Aphrodite /
Apollo /
Ares / Artemis /
Athena /
Demeter /
Dionysus /
Hera / Hermes
/ Poseidon
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Write
a two-page paper comparing your deity to one of the other
deities presented by another group. As
an addendum to this paper add a paragraph describinhg your
group's working dynamic. (Did the group work well together?
Did everyone pull their fair share?)
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Feb. 9
Reports Cont. |
Read Hesiod's
Theogony
and answer these study questions
to hand in:
Hesiod's
Theogony Study Questions
|
Feb. 14
Cupid
Reading Hesiod's Theogony.
Discussion Questions
|
Use
the discussion questions on Hesiod to write a two-page
response paper to the
Theogony. What do you
find attractive in Hesiod's view of creation? What do you
find more questionable?
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Feb. 16
Video:
Gods
and Goddesses
Fill in the blanks on the assignment
sheet provided while you watch the video.
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Watch the rest of the
Gods
and Goddesses video. Filll in the rest of the worksheet.
Then make a list of the ways that the video shows the Greek
gods interacting with human beings. How would you describe
this interaction?
|
Feb. 21
Discussion of the
Gods and
Goddesses video.
Discussion
of Theogony questions.
Matriarchy vs. Patriarchy
Venus of Willendorf
About
Pandora
Principal Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses (inc.
Mother Goddess)
|
Read
Hong. Yurie. "Playing Zeus: Reproductive Technology
and Lessons from Hesiod" and write three
questions you have as a result of your reading. |
Feb.
23
Artifact ID: What diety is it? What it is made of? What was
it used for? When was it made? Where was it made?
Reproductive Technology and Hesiod
Gods and Mortal Women
Zeus and Europa (in
Ovid's Metamorphoses)
|
Read the
myth of
Apollo and Daphne in Ovid's Metamorphoses
and answer these
Reading Questions.
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Feb. 27
Fox Classics
Lecture: 7:30 P.M. in Pattee Auditorium
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Feb. 28
Apolllo and Daphne (in
Ovid's Metamorphoses)
Goddesses
and Mortal Men
Artemis and Actaeon
(in
Ovid's Metamorphoses)
Actaeon /
Actaeon
Zeus and Danae /
Athena and Perseus (in
Ovid's Metamorphoses)
Danae
|
Write a review of the
Gods and
Goddesses video for students who might take this course
in the future. Include in your review, which must be at least
750 words in length (i.e., at least three full pages in 12 point
font, double-spaced), a detailed summary of the video, a critique of
its content, and a statement about ways in which this video
complemented (fit in with) the other material in this course.
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Mar. 2
Athena in the Odyssey
Athena and Heracles
Course Evaluations
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Write a
five-page essay in which you compare your view of deity at
the beginning of this course with your view at the end of
the course. Be sure to include significant discussion of a
variety of gods and goddesses of ancient Greece and their
myths. Include discussion of theories of myth, the
Theogony, and the interaction between gods and mortals. |
Mar 3
Final Essay due by email. |
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