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CLAS230
Classical Mythology
Department of Classics
Monmouth College |
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SCHEDULE OF Topics and Activities
Fall Semester 2010
Classical Mythology:
Star Wars
and the Heroic Journey
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Week |
MONDAY
Weekly Writing Assignments Due |
WEDNESDAY |
FRIDAY
Quiz Day |
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1 |
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Aug. 25
Course Introductions
Star Wars Scene: IV.1 Opening
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Aug. 27
What is myth?
For this class read:
American Heritage Dictionary
definition
Cullen's "Yet Do I Marvel"
On
Myths and Sisyphean Tasks
Hyginus:
#60 (Sisyphus)
Apollodorus
1.9.3 (Sisyphus)
Star Wars, 1-7
Star Wars V.31
"There is No Try."
Powerpoint: What is Myth? with classnotes
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2 |
Aug. 30
Greek Myths in Popular Culture
For this class read:
Mythological Influence on....
Greek Mythology in Popular Culture
House of Tantalus:
Hyginus:
#82-88;
Apollodorus
E.2.1
Stargate: The Torment of Tantalus (begin in Episode 4, minute
4:30 and go to Episode 5, minute 1:00)
Writing Assignment (due next Monday)
Write a 600 word comparison of the use of Greek Mythology
and Star Wars in Popular Culture.
Powerpoint: Greek Mythology in Popular Culture (Tantalus) with
classnotes. |
Sept. 1
Star Wars in Popular Culture
For this class read:
Cultural Impact of Star Wars
"How Star
Wars Shook the World" (be sure to go to the 2nd page)
Powerpoint: Star Wars and Popular Culture
Star Wars Propaganda Posters
Another Star
Wars Rap
Star
Wars A Capella
Star Wars
According to a Three-Year-Old
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Sept. 3
What is a hero? Achilles and Luke
For this class read:
Some Definitions of
"Hero"
Hyginus:
#92, 96 and 107 (Achilles)
Star Wars IV.48 A Hero's Welcome
Star Wars Scene: IV.10 Lars
Family Dinner (start at 4:30)
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3 |
Sept. 6
Folktale Themes
in Greek Myths
For this class read:
Hyginus:
63 (Danae)
Apollodorus
2.4.1-2.4.5
Writing Assignment (due next Monday)
Write a 600 word comparison of the use of folktales themes in Greek Mythology
and Star Wars
Powerpoint:
Perseus |
Sept. 8
Folktale Themes
in Star Wars
For this class read:
Labyrinth and Rescue of the Princess" in Star Wars, pp. 47-56
Star Wars Scenes: IV, 32-34
Rescuing the Princess, Into the Garbage Chute, The Trash Compactor |
Sept. 10
Group Work
Assignment on Star Wars and the Iliad:
Compare the
Star Wars: Lists of Scenes
to the plot of the Iliad (Iliad
Summary /
Summary of
Events). In what ways are the two similar?
How are they different?
Star Wars Scripts:
Phantom
Menace
Attack
of the Clones
Revenge of the Sith
IV, V, VI
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4 |
Sept. 13
Group Reports on Star
Wars and the Iliad
Writing Assignment
(due next Monday)
Compare and contrast a scene from Star Wars and a scene from the
Iliad. |
Sept. 15
Mythology and Epic: Homer
For this class read:
Homer and Epic
(Genre Section)
Also useful:
Chronology /
Trojan War
/
Chronology
of Ancient Sources
/
Odyssey
/
Peter Struck's CLAS200 Webpage at UPenn /
UPenn Myth Dictionary On-Line /
UPenn Visual Dictionary
Powerpoint:
Epic and Homer |
Sept. 17
Mythology and Epic:
Star Wars
For this class read
"the Funeral of Hector"
Hyginus:
106
Iliad
24:692-804
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5 |
Sept. 20
Introduction to the
Individualized Project
Contests in Mythology and
Star Wars
For this class read about the Funeral Games of Patroclus in Homer's
Iliad
23 (or Johnston
or
Butler)
Summary of Funeral Games of Patroclus
Star Wars Scene: I.17 Pod Race
Ben-Hur Chariot
Race
Powerpoint:
Contests in Homer
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Sept. 22
The Divine Machinery in Homer
For this class read:
Greek
Pantheon /
The Pantheon /
The Major Gods /
Genealogical Tables
Apollodorus
1.1.1-1.4.1 (the gods)
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Sept. 24
The Divine Machinery in Star
Wars
Athena Restrains Achilles (Iliad 1.
187-222)
Athena Mentors Telemachus
(Odyssey 1.)
Size
Matters Not
He's Quite Crafty For a Human
They Think I am a
God
Powerpoint:
Divine Machinery in Greek Myth and Star Wars
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6 |
Sept. 27
QUIZ on Folktale Themes and Epic Poetry
For this quiz you should be able to:
1.) recognize the
specific Greek myth depicted in the artwork in these two Powerpoints;
2.) link this myth with specific folktale themes and/or
characteristics of epic
3.) compare this myth with a specific scene in Star Wars.
Perseus
Epic and Homer
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Sept. 29
Group Reports on the Greco-Roman Gods and
Divine Machinery in Star Wars
Presentations:
1. Each group
will report on two Greco-Roman gods and one Star Wars film
2. 5-6
minutes in length
3. written abstract/study sheet e-mailed to
instuctor by 10 AM.
4. Abstract should include at least three
images, one for each god and one for Star Wars.
5. Abstract
should also include a list of important names and terms (with
definitions)
6. This abstract will be projected on the screen in
class and sent to the class by the instructor.
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Oct. 1
The Hero Pattern in Homer and Star Wars;
The Hero's Birth
For this class read
Lord Raglan's
Hero Pattern
Lord Raglan's
Scale
Other Hero Patterns
Apollodorus
2.4.8 (Birth of Heracles)
Livy 1 (Birth of Romulus and Remus)
Birth of Luke Skywalker
Hero Pattern Powerpoint
Writing Assignment:
Illustrate how Anakin or Luke Skywalker fit Lord Raglan's hero
pattern
or
Write a
600 word discussing the role of the divine in Star Wars with
character in Greek mythology
or
Compare "divine machinery"
in Greek Mythology and Star Wars
Mid-course evaluation
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7 |
Oct. 4
Heroes and Heroines in Greek Mythology and Star
Wars
For this class read
The Hero Pattern applied
to Women in Myth, History, and Literature
Hero Cycle of Marie
de Medici
Leia and Lord Raglan
Star Wars pp. 65-67; 158-159
"Penelope to Ulysses" in Ovid's
Heroides
Star Wars Scenes: VI, 11-12 On the Sail Barge and The Sarlacc Pit
Heroines
in Greek Myth and Star Wars
Writing Assignment:
Project
Prospectus (due on Oct. 13th) |
Oct. 6
The Hero Quest in
Mythology and Star Wars
For this class read
The Hero Quest
Stages in the
Heroic Quest
Variations on the Theme of the Heroic Quest
Star
Wars: Magic of Myth
Star Wars pp. 15-46
Star War Scenes: IV/17-18
Torched
Homestead and
Luke's Decision
Hero Quest and
Star Wars (Powerpoint) |
Oct. 8
Mid-Course Evaluation due
Quiz
on Greco-Roman Gods
Mid-course evaluation
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8 |
Oct. 11
FALL BREAK |
Oct. 13
Discussion of Star Wars pp. 15-46
Project
Prospectus
due |
Oct. 15
The Cave and the Sacred Grove
For this class read
Odysseus and the Cyclops: Odyssey IX
The Odyssey in Art
Star Wars, pp. 56-65 ("Into the Belly of the Beast")
Star War Scenes: V.27 "This is No Cave"
Read: Star Wars, pp. 68-75
Star Wars Scene: V.28-29. Jedi Training and Failure at the Cave |
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9 |
Oct. 18
Guest Speaker:
Duncan McPherson MC'98, Classics major and now a
computer game designer
Writing Assignment:
Use features
of the Hero Quest to compare and contrast two characters from Star Wars. |
Oct. 20
MENTORING DAY
NO CLASS
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Oct. 22
The Mythology of Star Wars (video)
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10 |
Oct. 25 Katabasis in Star Wars?
For this class read
Vergil's
Georgics IV.453-528
Homer's
Odyssey 11
Writing Assignment:
Compare katabasis or returns in Mythology and Star Wars.
Star Wars, pp. 106-113
Star Wars Scenes: III.43-47 "Immolation", "The Emperor
Arrives", "Secret Delivery", "Birth and Rebirth" and "Darth Vader
Awakes"
The Hero's Return and Homecomings in Myth and Star Wars
Star Wars, 91-95
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Oct. 27
Joseph
Campbell and
Star Wars
"The Power of
Myth" (video)
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Oct. 29
NO CLASS
Work on Individualized Project. Submit optional progress
report. |
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11 |
Nov. 1
Joseph Campbell
Read:
"Joseph Campbell--A Scholar's Life"
"Joseph
Campbell's Mythic Journey" by Jonathan Young
Joseph Campbell
Writing Assignment:
Use the two films and the readings listed above to respond to Joseph Campbell's interpretation of Star Wars.
Do you agree or disagree? |
Nov. 3
Group report and class discussion on
1.
"Star
Wars: Myth, Legend and Fairy Tales" and
"Move
Over, Odysseus, here comes Luke Skywalker" by Steve Persall
2.
Star
Wars: A Myth for Our Time" by Andrew Gordon
Click here for
sample discussion questions.
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Nov. 5
3.
"An American Mythology: Why Star Wars Still Matters" by
Steven D. Greydanus
4.
"Episode
One--Phantom Menace. Star Wars as Personal Mythology" by
Jonathan Young
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12 |
Nov. 8 5.
Star Wars and Lord
of the Rings
6.
Star Wars vs.
Matrix
Writing Assignment: Write an op-ed piece
responding to one of the essays presented by one of the other
groups. |
Nov. 10
Ancient Theories
of Myth and Star Wars
The Web of Myth
Ways of
Interpreting Myths
Ancient Theories of
Myth with Tantalus
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Nov. 12
Ancient Theories of Myth and Star Wars:
Ancient
Theories of Myth and Star Wars |
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13 |
Nov. 15
Modern Theories of Myth and Star Wars:
Modern Theories of Myth
with Tantalus
(No paper assigned for this week. Work on
Individualized Project) |
Nov. 17
Modern Theories of
Myth and Star Wars
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Nov. 19
QUIZ
Essay Question: Apply at least three ancient and three modern
theories of myth to the myth of Tantalus and to Star Wars. Your
essay should make frequent references to specific aspects of the
myth and the film and draw conclusions about the validity of these
theories of myth. |
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14 |
Nov. 22
George Lucas and Star Wars
Read Star Wars pp. 7-14
"George Lucas
on Joseph Cammpbell"
"George Lucas Interview"
"How did George
Lucas Create Star Wars?
George Lucas bio
"George Lucas in Love"
Mythic Map
of Lucas' Life
Heinrich
Zimmer
(No paper assigned for this week. Work on
Individualized Project) |
Nov. 24
Thanksgiving Break
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Nov. 26
Thanksgiving
Break
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15 |
Nov. 29
The Feel of the Past in Greek
Mythology and Star Wars
Read Star Wars Pp. 160-202
Powerpoint
(No paper assigned for this week. Work
on Individualized Project) |
Dec. 1
Cultural and Historical Influences on Star Wars
Read Star Wars Pp. 123-157
Individualized Project
DUE.
Powerpoint |
Dec. 3
Cultural and Historical Influences on Greek
Myths
Read Star Wars Pp. 123-157
Powerpoint
Myths: 1.) Plutarch on Theseus; 2.)
Herodotus on Europa ; 3.
Thucydides on and the Trojan War;
4.)
Vergil on
Anchises and
Aeneas; 5.)
Vergil on Aeneas and Rome |
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16 |
Dec. 6
Cultural and Historical Influences on Greek
Myths Cont.
Read
Did Theseus Slay the Minotaur?
Hyginus:
40-43
Theseus and Minotaur
Myth and History |
Dec. 8
Quiz: On Material covered Nov. 10 through Dec. 6 |
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Tuesday, Dec. 14
at 8 A.M.
Finals Meeting:
Final Oral
Presentations and course evaluation |