CLASSICAL CIVILIZATION 303/352: Classical Mythology

The University of Texas, Department of Classics
Unique numbers 28865/29010
Fall, 2001, Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30-11, WCH 1.120
Timothy Moore, WAG 211, 471-5742
Email: timmoore@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu
Office Hours TTh 2-4 and by appointment

Teaching assistants:

Brandy Schnautz, WAG 217, 471-5742
Email: brandyschnautz@hotmail.com
Office hours: TTh 11-12:30 and by appointment

Sonia Sturzer, WAG 117, 471-5742
Email: ssturzer@mail.utexas.edu
Office hours: TTh 11-12:30 and by appointment

Description:

The myths of the Greeks and Romans are not only inherently interesting, but they are an incomparable starting point for the study of Greek and Roman culture, and they have offered numerous images and paradigms to modern poets, artists, and theorists. This course will provide an introduction to the content of the major classical myths, the historical and social background of the myths, the role of the myths in literature and art, and modern ways of interpreting and using myths

Course objectives:

We will seek a greater understanding of three things:
1. "who did what to whom" in the most important myths of the ancient Greeks and Romans.
2. various ways of interpreting how the myths came about, what they mean, and how we can use them in our own lives.
3. the role of the myths in ancient Greek and Roman society, and how those societies helped to determine the nature of the myths.

Texts:

• Barry B. Powell, Classical Mythology (3rd edition).
• Hesiod's Theogony, translated by Richard S. Caldwell.
• Aeschylus: Oresteia, transl. by Peter Meineck.
• Euripides I: Alcestis, The Medea, The Heracleidae, Hippolytus, ed. by David Grene and Richmond Lattimore.
• Sophocles I: Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone, transl. By David Grene, Robert Fitzgerald, and Elizabeth Wyckoff.

Grading:

• CC 303 students: Two hour exams, 30% each; Final, 40%.
• CC 352 students: Two hour exams, 25% each; Final, 35%; Paper (4-6 pages), 15%.

352 students:
The topic of the 4-6 page paper assignment for students enrolled in CC 352 will be assigned in late September. The paper is due the day before Thanksgiving (November 21st). If you are unhappy with the grade you receive on your paper, you may rewrite it, and your final paper grade will be an average of the first paper grade and the rewrite. Only papers handed in on or before November 21st can be rewritten for credit.

Words to the Wise

Consistent attendance and preparation are imperative. Be sure that you read the required reading before class, as lectures will take for granted that you are familiar with the reading.

Please be sure all cell phones are turned off before you come to class.

Scholastic dishonesty
Scholastic dishonesty on any graded assignment will result in a failing grade (Zero), which you may not drop. Scholastic dishonesty includes any kind of cheating; if you are unsure about the exact definition you should consult the appropriate sections of "A Student's Guide to Living in the Heart of Texas" or the General Information Bulletin.

Academic disabilities
The University of Texas at Austin provides upon request appropriate academic accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. For more information, contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 471-6259 or 471-4641.

Missed and Late Work
Missed exams can be made up only in the case of a medical or similar emergency. Note that make-up exams will be more difficult than standard exams.

Schedule

Date	Subject	Readings
August
30	Introduction to Course:
	Some Ways of Interpreting Myth
I. Creation
September
4	Myths of Creation: I	Hesiod, Theogony (Caldwell, pp. 29-83)
6	Myths of Creation: II	Caldwell, "Interpretation: The Psychology of the Succession Myth" (pp. 85-100)
10, 7:00, Jessen Auditorium (Rainey Hall): Readings from Homer's Iliad by Stanley Lombardo
11	Myths of Creation: III	Powell, pp. 94-105 and chap. 5
II. Gods
13	Zeus and Hera	Powell, chapter 6
18	Male Deities	Powell, chapter 7
20	Female Deities: I	Powell, chapter 8
25	Female Deities: II	Euripides, Hippolytus
27	Exam I
October
2	Demeter and Persephone	Powell, chapter 9
4	Dionysus	Powell, chapter 10
9	Hades and the Underworld	Powell, chapter 11
III. Heroes
11	Perseus	Powell, chapter 13
16	Heracles	Powell, chapter 14
18	Theseus and Crete	Powell, chapters 15, 16
23	Jason and Medea: I	Powell, chapter 18
24-26 (Wed.-Friday), 8:00 PM	Midsummer Night's Dream performed by Actors from the London Stage, Scottish Rite Theater, 18th and Lavaca	Tickets ($5.00) available from UTTM at Bass or Erwin Center
27 (Sat.) 7:00 PM	Midsummer Night's Dream performed at Winedale
25	Jason and Medea: II	Euripides, Medea
30	Exam II
November
1	Thebes: I	Powell, chapter 17
6	Thebes: II	Sophocles, Oedipus at Colonus
8	Thebes: III	Sophocles, Antigone
13	Trojan War: I	Powell, chapter 19
15	Trojan War: II	Powell, chapter 20
20	Mycenae: I	Aeschylus, Agamemnon note especially on-line questions on this play
21	352 Papers due, 5:00 PM
22	Thanksgiving
27	Mycenae: II	Aeschylus, Libation Bearers, Furies note especially on-line questions on these plays
29	Odysseus	Powell, chapter 21
December
4	Roman Myth: I	Powell, chapter 22
6	Roman Myth: II	Powell, chapter 22
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 9 AM, GEO 100	Final Exam CC 352 Rewrites Due

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