syllabus

1. MythologyinArt&Literature
Professor Will Adams · Wadams5@valenciacollege.edu
East Campus – Building 2, Room 305 · Thursdays, 7:00 – 9:45 PM
Course Description
§ Examines world mythology in comparative perspective, analyzes myths with a variety of methods,
and considers the application of mythological ideas and symbols in the humanities.
§ This is a Gordon Rule course in which the student is required to demonstrate college-level writing
skills through multiple writing assignments.
§ A minimum grade of C is required if used to satisfy the Gordon Rule requirement.
§ A minimum grade of C in ENC 1101 or ENC 1101H or IDH 1110 is required to enroll in this
course.
Course Objectives
§ Analyze and demonstrate how mythology is used by various cultures to explain the world
§ Articulate the similarities and differences between ancient mythologies and contemporary culture
§ Interpret what we can learn about a culture by studying its myths, rituals and religions
§ Articulate connections between world mythologies and contemporary culture such as film,
literature, music, or personal life where relevant.
§ Assume an active, questioning, critical stance in working within the classroom community, thus
developing confidence as critical readers and thinkers
§ Demonstrate college level writing skills on all of these through various oral and writing
assignments
Required Text
David A. Leeming’s The World of Myth
Student Evaluation Formula
1. Attendance & Class Participation 30%
§ Attendance is required.
§ Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class meeting, and count as part of the
attendance & participation grade.
§ Please be aware that, under Valencia’s Attendance Policy, there is no such thing as an “excused
absence”.

2. § After 3 missed classes, a student may be withdrawn for non-attendance, at the instructor’s
discretion.
2. In-Class Assignments, Activities, Quizzes & Homework 20%
§ Throughout the term, we will have various in-class assignments & in-class activities.
§ Quizzes may be given to determine student retention of lecture or reading material at any time.
§ Additionally, homework will be assigned to deepen your understanding of in-class discussions.
3. Cultural Event with Reaction Essay 10%
§ You will be required to attend one cultural event during the term and then write a two-page
“reaction” (i.e. non-research) paper describing it. Be sure to answer the following questions: What
did I do and what was it like? What did I think of it? What did I learn?
§ Proof of attendance at said event must be furnished (i.e. ticket stub, program, receipt, etc.).
§ Throughout the term, the instructor may suggest various events to you, but it is ultimately your
own responsibility to find and attend an approved cultural event.
4. Examinations 40%
§ Four long-form examinations will be administered.
§ Examinations will not be cumulative in their subject matter.
§ You will be given a study guide for exams, at the instructor’s discretion.
Grading Scale
100 – 90% = A
89 – 80% = B
79 – 70% = C
69 – 60% = D
59 – 0% = F
Schedule of Class Meetings
CLASS MEETING DATE CLASS AGENDA, ASSIGNMENTS, & DUE DATES
Week 1
Thursday
8/29
Activity: Introduce class
Activity: Distribute & discuss syllabus
Week 2
Thursday
9/5
HURRICANE DORIAN – COLLEGE CLOSED
Week 3
Thursday
9/12
Lecture: Joseph Campbell’s Four Functions of Myth
Lecture: Symbols in Mythology
Week 4
Thursday
9/19
Exam #1 in Class
Week 5
Thursday
9/26
Lecture: The Hero’s Journey & Monomyth
Film: Atlantis: The Lost Empire
In-Class Assignment: Atlantis: The Lost Empire film response
Week 6
Thursday
10/3
Film: Atlantis: The Lost Empire (Cont’d)
In-Class Assignment: Atlantis: The Lost Empire film response
Week 7
Thursday
10/10
Lecture: Mesopotamian Mythology & The Epic of Gilgamesh
Activity: Cuneiform translation contest

3. Week 8
Thursday
10/17
Lecture: Egyptian Mythology, Funerary Practices, & Embalming
Lecture: Greek Mythology
Week 9
Thursday
10/24
Exam #2 in Class
Week 10
Thursday
10/31
Lecture: Homer’s The Odyssey
Film: O, Brother! Where Art Thou?
In-Class Assignment: O, Brother! Where Art Thou? film
response
Week 11
Thursday
11/7
Film: O, Brother! Where Art Thou? (Cont’d)
In-Class Assignment: O, Brother! Where Art Thou? film
response
Week 12
Thursday
11/14
Exam #3 in Class
Week 13
Thursday
11/21
Lecture: Norse Mythology
Lecture: Hawaiian Mythology
Week 14
Thursday
11/28
THANKSGIVING BREAK – NO CLASS
Reading on Canvas: African Mythology
Reading on Canvas: The Three Major World Religions: Part I
Week 15
Thursday
12/5
Lecture: The Three Major World Religions: Part II
Lecture: The Three Major World Religions: Part III
Week 16
Thursday
12/12
Due in Class: Cultural Event Reaction Essay
Exam #4 at 7:45 PM EST in Class
Guidelines for Written Work
§ All written work should be set in Arial 12-
point font, with double spacing and standard
1” page margins.
§ Finally, minimum page totals for any written
assignment require that the written page be
filled in its entirety to count as one page. In
other words, if a written assignment requires
2 pages, but the student only writes 1.5, the
student will not earn all possible points for
the assignment.
Extra Credit Policy
▪ Extra credit may be earned by writing more
than the required number of pages for any
written assignment. Extra credit for additional
written content will be given up to 15% of
the assignment’s total point value (i.e. 15
points for a 100-point assignment).
Late Work Policy
No late work will be accepted – in class,
through email, or through Canvas.
Class Conduct
Be polite and respect both your fellow
classmates and the instructor.
Attendance Policy
§ Students are expected to attend every class,
and attendance will be taken and will count
as a portion of the final grade. After the third
absence, a notice of Excessive Absences may
be issued, and the student may be withdrawn
at the professor’s discretion. It is always the
student’s responsibility to contact the
professor about issues that may lead to
excessive absences.

4. § It is also the student’s responsibility to
arrange to receive class notes or handouts
from missed classes from Canvas or fellow
students.
Academic Honesty
§ Plagiarism is intellectual theft and will not be
tolerated; presentation of the ideas and words
of others as if they are your own work
constitutes plagiarism.
§ The student is expected to perform his or her
own research and present his or her own
thoughts. Direct use of another author’s
words or ideas, as well as paraphrasing must
be cited.
§ Plagiarism in any work will result in a grade
of zero for that assignment.
Technology Use Policy
§ Use of computers in the Business, IT, and
Public Service classrooms at Valencia
College is restricted to those activities
designated by the instructor to enhance the
class materials; any other use is strictly
forbidden.
§ Inappropriate use includes, but is not limited
to:
§ Use of computer to send E-mail or
access Internet sites not specifically
assigned in class.
§ Use of computer for job, internship,
homework or other activities not
assigned in class.
§ Modifying any hardware or software
system configuration or setting.
§ Activities not in accordance with the
Valencia Student Code of Conduct
§ Use of computers in the departmental
open lab is limited to those activities
involved with preparing homework or
coursework in this department and is
subject to the same restriction as
listed above.
§ Computer use is remotely monitored; any
student using computers inappropriately may
be subject to dismissal from class or
banishment from the lab.
Students with Disabilities
§ Students with disabilities who qualify for
academic accommodations must provide a
notification from the Office for Students with
Disabilities (OSD) and discuss specific needs
with the professor, preferably during the first
two weeks of class.
§ The Office for Students with Disabilities
determines accommodations based on
appropriate documentation of disabilities.
Disclaimer
This outline may be altered, at the instructor’s
discretion, during the course of the term; it is the
responsibility of the student to make any
adjustments as announced.