LIT 229 Mythic Archaeology Project Paper Guidelines and Rubri.docx

LIT 229: Mythic Archaeology Project Paper Guidelines and
Rubric
Overview
Far from being abstract ideas or stories, myths are responsible
for our decisions and actions. The Mythic Archaeology Project
is an opportunity for you to apply your analytical and
interpretive skills to your own life. In this project, you will drill
down through a decision in your life to uncover its mythological
foundation.
How do we do that? Well, consider the process used in
archaeology. Archaeologists work in what are called “tells.”
Tells are vertical exposures of the many horizontal layers of a
city or encampment. Rather than explore one layer at a time,
archaeologists dig down through many layers of a site to see a
historical cross-section. Using the metaphor of the “tell,” we
can examine how a myth has influenced your own life. Instead
of exposing a cross-section of time, you will be seeing a cross-
section of the function of myth from the deeper layers of culture
to your own personal story. Here are the layers and tasks you
will work through in your own process:
Layer
Task
“GPS” Decision Points
Choose three moments in which you had to make a decision that
altered the course of your life. The moments can also be smaller
decisions, such as a book you chose to read, a film you chose to
watch, or a relationship you chose to cultivate.
Examples: marriage, children, job, education, relationships,

death
Description
Describe the moments and the decision(s) you made in
objective, not subjective, terms including relevant details.
Examples:
· “I applied for a job across the country that would require me
to learn new skills in a new place. I had never before changed
my environment so drastically . . .”
· “I decided to go back to school to complete my degree.”
· “I bought Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance because
I have been intending to read it for years and decided now was
the time . . .”
Beliefs and Assumptions
List the beliefs and/or assumptions that were in place when you
made your decision. Again, you should be as objective as
possible here, foregoing emotional descriptions for more
concrete rationales. Imagine you are giving testimony in a
lawsuit, and provide only the facts as you see them. Examples:
· “I believed that my job was not fulfilling to me any longer and
that if I continued in it, I would become even unhappier.
Moving across the country was a challenge that I felt I had to
face . . .”
· “I believed that an education would help me make more money
and perhaps make me a better person . . .”
· “I assumed that the book would change my life . . .”
Origin in Culture
As you can see, we are continuing to drill down into your
decision, and this is your chance to describe the next layer.
Connect the beliefs and assumptions you have listed with their
cultural origin. The question here involves outside influences on
your decision and the sources of those influences. Cultural
sources might be things such as religion, academia, popular
culture, or family. Cultural origin, in these examples, might

then be a religious leader, an academic writer, a critic, or a
parent, respectively. Examples:
· “I heard a sermon about changing one thing in our lives this
year that would both challenge and inspire us . . .” (the sermon-
giver as the cultural origin)
· “I read several articles and websites, especially the one at
SNHU.edu, that said that an educational credential would
improve my professional standing and in turn my self-esteem . .
.” (articles and websites as cultural origin)
· “People who read and reviewed the book indicated that it was
one of those books that you could not read and be the same
afterwards . . .” (book reviewers as cultural origin)
Origin in Myth
Now we move to the next layer and ask what texts or stories
contain those outside influences from the previous layer. Cite
relevant passages from a myth, mythology, story, or text that
depict those beliefs and assumptions, explain how the text
applies to your decision, and reflect upon this exercise. You
were likely not aware of these texts or perhaps even the outside
influences; this exercise is about making you aware. This could
be the most difficult stage of the exercise. Examples:
· “Genesis 4:12: When you work the ground, it will no longer
yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the
earth. Work, then, is a product of a curse and produces a sense
of alienation. This sense of alienation leads understandably to
wandering, that is, to seeking better and more fulfilling work . .
.”
· “This is the Horatio Alger story from the nineteenth century.
Horatio Alger wrote a number of rags-to-riches stories that have
served as a mythology for the American Dream. We could even
go back further to the myth of the Puritans who drew upon
theologian John Calvin and other Protestant thinkers to
understand work as an element of salvation. This idea
eventually developed into the Protestant work ethic . . .”

· “The mythological content of Zen is quite rich. In addition to
calling up one of Plato’s interlocutors as an alternate name for
the narrator, the book reflects the notion of the solitary hero
traveling to reach some kind of home, only in Zen the
landscapes are all philosophical, and the hero, unlike Odysseus,
never does find home. I now see I was drawn to the book for
those very reasons: I feel lost and want to find my way home,
but all my travels are in my mind . . .”
Format
You will strategically organize your paper to put together a
highly effective response to your tasks and present:
A Compelling Introduction
This introduction will identify your key “tell” moments.
An Organized Body
Follow through on each of your key “tells” in detail. Start with
the first “GPS” moment and provide the description, your
beliefs, and assumptions relative to this moment, then ground
your moment in the origins of the myth and culture. After
covering your first moment, transition to your second key GPS
moment until you have covered all three “tells” within the body
of your paper. The body of your paper should flow logically,
with highly effective examples reflecting your own insights.
Avoid summarizing, since it can lead to superficiality. The
examples and facts from the myths, texts, or passages will
support your statements, and the significance of each insight
will be fully explained. The body will also include at least one
example for a myth, text, or passage to support each GPS
moment and insight in the form of highly relevant quotations
and concise paraphrasing.
A Powerful Conclusion

Finally, write a conclusion where you reflect upon all three of
your tells and their mythological foundation. Articulate what
you learned about the specific tells, the general function of
mythology in your decisions, and from the exercise itself.
Review the grading rubric below to identify all aspects of the
proficiencies that differentiate a distinguished paper.
For more information about viewing feedback for TurnItIn
assignments, please review this tutorial.
Rubric
Your paper should be a minimum of 4–5 pages (not including
cover page or resources) and properly cited with a minimum of
three resources and follow these formatting rules: double
spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins,
and citations in MLA format.
Critical Elements
Exemplary
Proficient
Needs Improvement
Not Evident
Value
GPS Decision Points
Identifies all three decision points (GPS), defining key terms in
introduction; smoothly transitions into the body of paper setting
the stage for your mythic journey
(23-25)
Identifies all three decision points (GPS), defining most key
terms in introduction with effective transition into body of
paper to set the stage for your mythic journey
(20-22)
Identifies all three decision points (GPS) in introduction, but
requires additional clarification or definition of key terms

throughout paper to illustrate importance in your life and set the
stage for your mythic journey
(18-19)
Does not identify all three decision points (GPS) and/or their
importance in your life to set the stage for your mythic journey
(0-17)
25
Origin in Culture
(Beliefs and Assumptions)
Effectively explains and interprets all three decision points,
fully grounding all examples with clear explanation of their
related origin in culture
(23-25)
Explains and interprets all three decision points using examples
and facts that ground all three decision points in their related
origin in culture
(20-22)
Offers interpretation of the examples and facts but with gaps
that require additional explanation to fully ground all three
“tells” in their related origin in culture
(18-19)
Body of paper requires additional organization and/or further
examples and details to meaningfully ground most of the “tells”
in their related origin in culture
(0-17)
25
Origin in Myth

Effectively supports interpretation of decision points with clear
explanation and detailed relevant examples of their related
origin in myth
(23-25)
Supports interpretation of all three decisions points with
explanation and relevant examples of their related origin in
myth
(20-22)
Supports interpretation of all decision points with explanation
and examples of their related origin in myth,
but with gaps that require additional explanation or more
relevant examples of their related origin in myth
(18-19)
Requires additional or more effective examples and details to
meaningfully support decision points related origin in myth
(0-17)
25
Organization
Body of paper flows logically with smooth transitions, effective
body paragraphs and strong conclusion which support the
decision points and their implication in your life
(14-15)
Body of paper flows logically with effective body paragraphs
and clear conclusion that support the decision points and their
implication in your life
(12-13)
Body of paper flows with introduction, body paragraphs, and
conclusion, but with gaps in transition that require additional

organization to clearly present the decision points and their
(11)
Body of paper requires additional organization and effective
relevant content to clearly present the decisions points and their
(0-10)
15
Mechanics
Almost no errors related to citation and grammar
(9-10)
Minor errors related to citation and grammar
(8)
Some errors related to citation and grammar
(7)
Major errors related to citation and grammar; does not include
minimum required resources
(0-6)
10
Earned Total
Comments:
100%
LIT 229: Mythic Archaeology Project Paper Guidelines and
Rubric

Overview
Far from being abstract ideas or stories, myths are responsible
for our decisions and actions. The Mythic Archaeology Project
is an opportunity for you to apply your analytical and
interpretive skills to your own life. In this project, you will drill
down through a decision in your life to uncover its mythological
foundation.
How do we do that? Well, consider the process used in
archaeology. Archaeologists work in what are called “tells.”
Tells are vertical exposures of the many horizontal layers of a
city or encampment. Rather than explore one layer at a time,
archaeologists dig down through many layers of a site to see a
historical cross-section. Using the metaphor of the “tell,” we
can examine how a myth has influenced your own life. Instead
of exposing a cross-section of time, you will be seeing a cross-
section of the function of myth from the deeper layers of culture
to your own personal story. Here are the layers and tasks you
will work through in your own process:
Layer
Task
“GPS” Decision Points
Choose three moments in which you had to make a decision that
altered the course of your life. The moments can also be smaller
decisions, such as a book you chose to read, a film you chose to
watch, or a relationship you chose to cultivate.
Examples: marriage, children, job, education, relationships,
death
Description
Describe the moments and the decision(s) you made in
objective, not subjective, terms including relevant details.
Examples:

· “I applied for a job across the country that would require me
to learn new skills in a new place. I had never before changed
my environment so drastically . . .”
· “I decided to go back to school to complete my degree.”
· “I bought Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance because
I have been intending to read it for years and decided now was
the time . . .”
Beliefs and Assumptions
List the beliefs and/or assumptions that were in place when you
made your decision. Again, you should be as objective as
possible here, foregoing emotional descriptions for more
concrete rationales. Imagine you are giving testimony in a
lawsuit, and provide only the facts as you see them. Examples:
· “I believed that my job was not fulfilling to me any longer and
that if I continued in it, I would become even unhappier.
Moving across the country was a challenge that I felt I had to
face . . .”
· “I believed that an education would help me make more money
and perhaps make me a better person . . .”
· “I assumed that the book would change my life . . .”
Origin in Culture
As you can see, we are continuing to drill down into your
decision, and this is your chance to describe the next layer.
Connect the beliefs and assumptions you have listed with their
cultural origin. The question here involves outside influences on
your decision and the sources of those influences. Cultural
sources might be things such as religion, academia, popular
culture, or family. Cultural origin, in these examples, might
then be a religious leader, an academic writer, a critic, or a
parent, respectively. Examples:
· “I heard a sermon about changing one thing in our lives this
year that would both challenge and inspire us . . .” (the sermon-
giver as the cultural origin)
· “I read several articles and websites, especially the one at

SNHU.edu, that said that an educational credential would
improve my professional standing and in turn my self-esteem . .
.” (articles and websites as cultural origin)
· “People who read and reviewed the book indicated that it was
one of those books that you could not read and be the same
afterwards . . .” (book reviewers as cultural origin)
Origin in Myth
Now we move to the next layer and ask what texts or stories
contain those outside influences from the previous layer. Cite
relevant passages from a myth, mythology, story, or text that
depict those beliefs and assumptions, explain how the text
applies to your decision, and reflect upon this exercise. You
were likely not aware of these texts or perhaps even the outside
influences; this exercise is about making you aware. This could
be the most difficult stage of the exercise. Examples:
· “Genesis 4:12: When you work the ground, it will no longer
yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the
earth. Work, then, is a product of a curse and produces a sense
of alienation. This sense of alienation leads understandably to
wandering, that is, to seeking better and more fulfilling work . .
.”
· “This is the Horatio Alger story from the nineteenth century.
Horatio Alger wrote a number of rags-to-riches stories that have
served as a mythology for the American Dream. We could even
go back further to the myth of the Puritans who drew upon
theologian John Calvin and other Protestant thinkers to
understand work as an element of salvation. This idea
eventually developed into the Protestant work ethic . . .”
· “The mythological content of Zen is quite rich. In addition to
calling up one of Plato’s interlocutors as an alternate name for
the narrator, the book reflects the notion of the solitary hero
traveling to reach some kind of home, only in Zen the
landscapes are all philosophical, and the hero, unlike Odysseus,
never does find home. I now see I was drawn to the book for
those very reasons: I feel lost and want to find my way home,

but all my travels are in my mind . . .”
Format
You will strategically organize your paper to put together a
highly effective response to your tasks and present:
A Compelling Introduction
This introduction will identify your key “tell” moments.
An Organized Body
Follow through on each of your key “tells” in detail. Start with
the first “GPS” moment and provide the description, your
beliefs, and assumptions relative to this moment, then ground
your moment in the origins of the myth and culture. After
covering your first moment, transition to your second key GPS
moment until you have covered all three “tells” within the body
of your paper. The body of your paper should flow logically,
with highly effective examples reflecting your own insights.
Avoid summarizing, since it can lead to superficiality. The
examples and facts from the myths, texts, or passages will
support your statements, and the significance of each insight
will be fully explained. The body will also include at least one
example for a myth, text, or passage to support each GPS
moment and insight in the form of highly relevant quotations
and concise paraphrasing.
A Powerful Conclusion
Finally, write a conclusion where you reflect upon all three of
your tells and their mythological foundation. Articulate what
you learned about the specific tells, the general function of
mythology in your decisions, and from the exercise itself.
Review the grading rubric below to identify all aspects of the
proficiencies that differentiate a distinguished paper.

For more information about viewing feedback for TurnItIn
assignments, please review this tutorial.
Rubric
Your paper should be a minimum of 4–5 pages (not including
cover page or resources) and properly cited with a minimum of
three resources and follow these formatting rules: double
spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins,
and citations in MLA format.
Critical Elements
Exemplary
Proficient
Needs Improvement
Not Evident
Value
GPS Decision Points
Identifies all three decision points (GPS), defining key terms in
introduction; smoothly transitions into the body of paper setting
the stage for your mythic journey
(23-25)
Identifies all three decision points (GPS), defining most key
terms in introduction with effective transition into body of
paper to set the stage for your mythic journey
(20-22)
Identifies all three decision points (GPS) in introduction, but
requires additional clarification or definition of key terms
throughout paper to illustrate importance in your life and set the
stage for your mythic journey
(18-19)
Does not identify all three decision points (GPS) and/or their
importance in your life to set the stage for your mythic journey

(0-17)
25
Origin in Culture
Effectively explains and interprets all three decision points,
fully grounding all examples with clear explanation of their
related origin in culture
(23-25)
Explains and interprets all three decision points using examples
and facts that ground all three decision points in their related
origin in culture
(20-22)
Offers interpretation of the examples and facts but with gaps
that require additional explanation to fully ground all three
“tells” in their related origin in culture
(18-19)
Body of paper requires additional organization and/or further
examples and details to meaningfully ground most of the “tells”
in their related origin in culture
(0-17)
25
Origin in Myth
Effectively supports interpretation of decision points with clear
explanation and detailed relevant examples of their related
origin in myth
(23-25)
Supports interpretation of all three decisions points with
explanation and relevant examples of their related origin in

myth
(20-22)
Supports interpretation of all decision points with explanation
and examples of their related origin in myth,
but with gaps that require additional explanation or more
relevant examples of their related origin in myth
(18-19)
Requires additional or more effective examples and details to
meaningfully support decision points related origin in myth
(0-17)
25
Organization
Body of paper flows logically with smooth transitions, effective
body paragraphs and strong conclusion which support the
decision points and their implication in your life
(14-15)
Body of paper flows logically with effective body paragraphs
and clear conclusion that support the decision points and their
(12-13)
Body of paper flows with introduction, body paragraphs, and
conclusion, but with gaps in transition that require additional
organization to clearly present the decision points and their
(11)
Body of paper requires additional organization and effective
relevant content to clearly present the decisions points and their

(0-10)
15
Mechanics
Almost no errors related to citation and grammar
(9-10)
Minor errors related to citation and grammar
(8)
Some errors related to citation and grammar
(7)
Major errors related to citation and grammar; does not include
minimum required resources
(0-6)
10
Earned Total
Comments:
100%

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