1. Mythology in Art & Literature
Professor Will Adams · Wadams5@valenciacollege.edu
Osceola Campus – Building 2, Room 232 · Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Research Project Assignment
For your research project topic this term, you will be assigned an artwork that is based on a legend or
myth from Classical mythology. After receiving your artwork, you will be required to create a four-
page, research-based essay.
Structure & Contents
1. Title Page (Unnumbered): Include your name, the title of your paper, the course, and the date
2. First Page
a. Introduction of Essay: Discuss the essential nature of art, myth, or story for human
beings. What is the most important function that they serve? How have those functions
changed over time? How have they stayed the same?
b. Introduction of Artwork: Based on the previous paragraph, how does your artwork fit
into the framework of human history? Who created it? When? Where? From what
materials? Discuss historical context, artist biography, and technical innovations in this
section. (This section may continue to your second page as necessary).
3. Second Page – Third Page
a. What is the story, myth, or legend being depicted in the artwork? Do not simply limit
yourself to the scene being shown in the work – be sure to give background and
context concerning both the characters involved in the scene and the setting in which
the scene takes place.
b. Also discuss the society that created the myth upon which the artwork is based, and
how the story, myth, or legend being shown may or may not be representative of that
society’s ideals, principles, or beliefs.
4. Third Page
a. Identify and discuss in detail the various symbols that artist includes within the artwork
that allow the viewer to obtain a greater understanding of the scene depicted, or its
societal importance; they may take the form of animals, colors, fruits or vegetables,
characters, plants, objects, geographical features, or even people.
b. Be sure to consult texts discussing artistic symbolism when delving into this portion of
your discussion.
5. Fourth Page
a. Identify and illustrate contemporary examples of the artwork’s theme as evidenced in
today’s popular media.
2. b. Explain how the themes and concerns of the Classical world are not terribly different
than those of modern society. You may choose to illustrate this point using examples
from cinema, music, television, or electronic games.
c. Conclusion: Discuss why the information, themes, and symbolism discussed within
your paper are important. Do not introduce any new subjects for discussion and do not
simply summarize your essay for the reader. Instead, let your reader know what he or
she should have learned or understood from having read your work.
6. Works Cited Page (Unnumbered)
Formatting Specifications
§ Your essay should be four full body pages, not including the cover & Works Cited pages
§ The text should be double-spaced, and set in size 12 Arial font
§ The pages should have standard 1 inch margins on all four sides
§ MLA Citation Style must be used to document your sources by:
o Using in-text parenthetical citations
o Including a complete, MLA-formatted Works Cited page at the end of your essay, with all
works cited in-text
§ You must use a minimum of 5 different sources
§ The only sources you may use are books or periodicals from a library, or articles from a library
database
§ The four-page minimum does NOT include either any cover page or the Works Cited page
§ You may turn in one working draft for my feedback via email on Wednesday, November 14th
.
Both your printed essay and your in-class presentation of it will be due as follows:
§ Group 1: Thursday, April 12th
§ Group 2: Tuesday, April 17th
