This document provides information about a Mythology in Art & Literature course taught by Professor Will Adams. The course examines world mythology through various methods and considers how myths influence humanities. Students will analyze how mythology explains different cultures and interpret what cultures can be learned from myths. The course requires attendance, participation, a cultural event evaluation, a research project, and four exams. Grades are based on these assignments and students must meet prerequisites to enroll. The schedule outlines topics like symbols, archetypes, and specific mythologies that will be covered throughout the semester.

1. Mythology in Art & Literature
Professor Will Adams · Wadams5@valenciacollege.edu
Osceola Campus – Building 2, Room 232 · Mondays & Wednesdays, 1:30 – 2:45 PM
“Without a knowledge of mythology much of the elegant literature of our
own language cannot be understood and appreciated.”
- Thomas Bulfinch (1796 – 1867 AD), mythologist
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
around us
 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, 2nd Edition, ISBN 9780199316366
Joseph Campbell’s Myths to Live By, ISBN 9780140194616

2. Student Evaluation Formula
1. Attendance & Class Participation 30%
 Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class meeting, and count as part of the
attendance & participation grade.
 The professor should hear each student’s voice at least once per class meeting.
 Tardiness of more than 15 minutes after the scheduled beginning of class constitutes an
absence.
 Please be aware that, under Valencia’s Attendance Policy, there is no such thing as an
“excused absence”.
2. Cultural Event & Written Evaluation 10%
 You will be required to attend one cultural event during the class’s duration.
 Throughout the class’s duration the instructor may suggest various events to you, but it is
ultimately your own responsibility to find and attend an approved cultural event.
 Proof of attendance at said event must be furnished (i.e. ticket stub, program, etc).
 A two-page “reaction” (i.e. non-research) paper is required. Be sure to answer the following
questions: What did I do? What did I think of it? What did I learn?
3. Research Project 25%
 One 4-page written research project is required.
 Proper MLA style citation should be used for all written assignments.
 Plagiarism = A grade of zero. No exceptions.
 Wikipedia use = A grade of zero. No exceptions.
 All research projects should be stapled by the student.
 A detailed research project description will be distributed at a later date.
4. Examinations 35%
 Four long-form examinations will be administered.
 The format of the exam may vary in each instance.
 Examinations will not be cumulative in their subject matter.
 You will be given a study guide for most 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
Date Task
Monday, January 9 Activity: Introduce class, distribute and discuss syllabus.
Wednesday, January 11 Lecture: Joseph Campbell’s Four Functions of Myth lecture

3. Monday, January 16 NO CLASS - MLK Day
Wednesday, January 18 Lecture: Symbols in Mythology
Monday, January 23 Lecture: Symbols in Mythology, Cont’d
Wednesday, January 25 Lecture: The Hero Monomyth
Monday, January 30 EXAM #1
Read via Blackboard: Mythological Archetypes
Wednesday, February 1 Film: Atlantis: The Lost Empire
Activity: Atlantis film response
Monday, February 6 Film: Atlantis: The Lost Empire, Cont’d
Activity: Atlantis film response
Wednesday, February 8 RESEARCH PROJECTS ASSIGNED & LIBRARY VISIT
Monday, February 13 Lecture: Mesopotamian Mythology & The Epic of
Gilgamesh
Activity: Cuneiform translation contest
Wednesday, February 15 Lecture: Egyptian Mythology
Monday, February 20 NO CLASS - President’s Day
Read via Blackboard: Egyptian Funerary Practices &
Embalming
Homework: Sarcophagus lid homework
Wednesday, February 22 Lecture: Greek Mythology
Monday, February 27 EXAM #2
Wednesday, March 1 Lecture: Dionysus & Greek Theatre
Monday, March 6 Lecture: Homer’s The Odyssey
Wednesday, March 8 Film: O, Brother! Where Art Thou?
In-Class Assignment: O, Brother! Where Art Thou? film
response
Monday, March 13 NO CLASS - Spring Break
Wednesday, March 15 NO CLASS - Spring Break
Monday, March 20 Film: O, Brother! Where Art Thou?, Cont’d
In-Class Assignment: O, Brother! Where Art Thou? film
response
Wednesday, March 22 Lecture: Norse Mythology
Monday, March 27 EXAM #3
Wednesday, March 29 Lecture: African Mythology
Monday, April 3 Lecture: Hawaiian Mythology
Wednesday, April 5 Lecture: Judaism
Monday, April 10 Lecture: Christianity
Wednesday, April 12 Lecture: Islam
Monday, April 17 IMPORTANT: RESEARCH PROJECTS DUE
IMPORTANT: CULTURAL EVENT DUE
Wednesday, April 19 FINAL EXAM – 1:30 PM

4. Guidelines for Written Work
 All written work should be set in Arial 12-point font, with double spacing and standard 1” page
margins.
 Additionally, each written assignment (with the exception of the research project) should begin
with the following header, placed at the top, left side of the first page:
Your First & Last Name
HUM2310 – 1:30 PM
Prof. Will Adams
Assignment Due Date (MM/DD/YYYY)
 The student must staple assignments of more than one page. The instructor will not provide a
stapler for your use.
 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
 Each quiz or test throughout the class’s duration will include one extra credit question equal to
10% of the quiz or test’s total point value (i.e. A five-point extra credit question for a fifty-point
test).
 In addition, extra credit may be earned by writing more than the required number of pages for any
written assignment. Extra credit for extra written work will be given up to a maximum of 15% of
the assignment’s total point value (i.e. A two-page written assignment is usually valued at 20
total points, at ten points per page. If the student writes 2.2 pages, the student will receive 22
points for the assignment, rather than the standard 20).
 No other extra credit opportunities will be available.
Late Work & Make-Up Policy
 No late work will be accepted.
 No work will be accepted via e-mail.
 Quizzes or exams must be taken on, or before, the date assigned – and only with the instructor’s
explicit consent.
 The final exam must be taken on the date published for final exams.
Class Conduct
Be polite and respect both your fellow classmates and the instructor.

5. 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 SECOND absence, a student has missed two full weeks of class; 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.
 It is also the student’s responsibility to arrange to receive class notes or handouts from missed
classes from his or her fellow students; Do not contact the instructor for this information without
contacting your classmates first!
 Please note that there is no such thing as an “Excused Absence” (even with a doctor’s note, death
in the family, etc.) under Valencia’s Attendance Policy.
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.
Computer & Equipment Use
 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.

6.  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.