DESCRIPTION
Each week we will discuss a different aspect of Greco-Roman life, history and myth. The assigned reading for each week is to prepare for the following week's discussion. For example, Week 1's reading is to be completed by Week 2. Most weeks the assigned reading will be from the D'Aulaires' text, and I will include additional source material reading that is optional.
At the end of the course, each student will present a retelling of a myth of his or her choice. The method of retelling the myth is open and up to them, and can include such approaches as:
Comic
Art piece
Interpretive dance
Dramatic retelling
Poem
Lego construction
Minecraft storytelling
Over the last two sessions of class, each student will have 10-12 minutes to share their creation with the class, including why they chose that particular myth and how they see the story as still relevant in modern life.
Primary Texts:
D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths by Ingri d'Aulaire and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire
Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan
Secondary Text:
Classical Myth by Barry Powell, Fourth Edition (used is fine)
Additional Texts:
The Iliad by Homer
The Odyssey by Homer
Prerequisites: None
SYLLABUS
Week 1: Introduction; Myth as Metaphor
Week 2: The Greek Origin Story: Gaia and the creation of the world; the war of Zeus and the Titans
Week 3: The Greek Pantheon: Gods
Week 4: The Greek Pantheon: Goddesses
Week 5: The Greek Pantheon: Minor Gods
Week 6: Heroes and Monsters: Orpheus, Perseus, Theseus
Week 7: Heroes and Monsters: Heracles, Oedipus, Jason
Week 8: Heroes and Clever Kings: Midas, Daedalus/Icarus, Sisyphus, Bellerophon
Week 9: The Iliad: War and the Greeks
Week 10: The Odyssey: Odysseus and his Adventures
Week 11: Greek Women’s Stories: Clytemnestra, Cassandra, and Penelope
Week 12: Roman Myth: The Aeneid
Week 13: Roman Myth: Ovid's Metamorphose
Week 14: Soul Becomes Immortal: Apuleius’ Cupid and Psyche
Week 15: Class Presentations
