This document provides an overview of a mythology in art and literature course taught by Professor Will Adams. The course examines world mythologies through a comparative lens and considers how myths are applied in humanities. Students will analyze myths using various methods, articulate similarities and differences between ancient and modern cultures, and demonstrate college-level writing skills through assignments. The course involves lectures, films, exams, a research project, and cultural event attendance. Students will be evaluated based on attendance, assignments, exams, a research project, and cultural event paper. The syllabus outlines course objectives, requirements, policies, and schedule.

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
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
Student Evaluation Formula
1. Attendance & Class Participation 35%
§ 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. § In-class activities, homework assignments, and in-class assignments also count toward this
portion of your final grade.
§ Pop, short-form pop quizzes may be administered throughout the course of the class.
§ The format that the quizzes come in may vary from quiz to quiz.
2. Cultural Event & Written Evaluation 15%
§ You will be required to attend one cultural event during the class’s duration.
§ Instructions: This is a two-page, double-spaced “reaction” (i.e. non-research) reaction paper.
Be sure to answer the following questions:
o What did I do? What did I think of it? What did I learn?
Proof of attendance at said event must be furnished (i.e. ticket stub, program, etc.). 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.
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 25%
§ 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
CLASS MEETING DATE CLASS MEETING TASKS
Tuesday, January 9 Activity: Introduce class
Activity: Distribute & discuss syllabus
Thursday, January 11 Lecture: Joseph Campbell’s Four Functions of Myth lecture
Tuesday, January 16 NO CLASS – MLK Holiday
Thursday, January 18 Lecture: Symbols in Mythology
Tuesday, January 23 Lecture: The Hero’s Journey & Monomyth
Thursday, January 25 Lecture: Symbols in Mythology, Cont’d
Tuesday, January 30 Exam #1 – In Testing Center or Via Blackboard
Thursday, February 1 Film: Atlantis: The Lost Empire

3. In-Class Assignment: Atlantis: The Lost Empire film response
Tuesday, February 6 Film: Atlantis: The Lost Empire (Cont’d)
In-Class Assignment: Atlantis: The Lost Empire film response
(Cont’d)
Thursday, February 8 RESEARCH PROJECT ASSIGNED & LIBRARY VISIT – Group 1
Tuesday, February 13 RESEARCH PROJECT ASSIGNED & LIBRARY VISIT – Group 2
Thursday, February 15 Lecture: Mesopotamian Mythology & The Epic of Gilgamesh
Activity: Cuneiform translation contest
Tuesday, February 20 Lecture: Egyptian Mythology, Funerary Practices, & Embalming
Thursday, February 22 Lecture: Greek Mythology
Tuesday, February 27 Exam #2 – In Testing Center or Via Blackboard
Thursday, March 1 Lecture: Homer’s The Odyssey
Tuesday, March 6 Film: O, Brother! Where Art Thou?
In-Class Assignment: O, Brother! Where Art Thou? film
response
Thursday, March 8 Film: O, Brother! Where Art Thou? (Cont’d)
In-Class Assignment: O, Brother! Where Art Thou? film
response (Cont’d)
Tuesday, March 13 NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK!
Thursday, March 15 NO CLASS – SPRING BREAK!
Tuesday, March 20 Exam #3 – In Testing Center or Via Blackboard
Thursday, March 22 Lecture: Norse Mythology
Tuesday, March 27 Lecture: African Mythology
Thursday, March 29 Lecture: Hawaiian Mythology
Activity: Tiki mask building
Tuesday, April 3 Lecture: The Three Major World Religions: Part I
Thursday, April 5 Lecture: The Three Major World Religions: Part II
Tuesday, April 10 Lecture: The Three Major World Religions: Part III
Thursday, April 12 RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS – Group 1
Tuesday, April 17 RESEARCH PROJECT PRESENTATIONS – Group 2
Thursday, April 19 CULTURAL EVENT DUE
IMPORTANT: FINAL EXAM – 11:30 AM – In Testing Center or
Via Blackboard
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

4. § 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 or accepted electronically.
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 fourth 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 Blackboard 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.

5. § 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.