Monmouth College, Fall 2003

ISSI402 Classical Mythology and Religion
TH 9:30-10:45, Wallace Hall 114

Instructor | Course description | Texts | Class format | Course Handouts
Goals, requirements, and evaluation | Web access | Schedule

Instructor: Dr. V. Wine (Return to menu)

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 menu)

Texts:

Athanassakis, Apostolos N.The Homeric Hymns
Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press
1977

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; the instructor will keep track of those who volunteer information and opinions. Quizzes, whether announced or not, may not be made up. 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. 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. (Return to menu)

Web access: Readings, web links, this syllabus, and other information are available via the MC website. Access the Department of Classics homepage, Syllabi, Fall 2003; or http://www.tomsienkewicz.com/Courses/Syllabi/2003FallCourses.htm

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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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