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MythologyELIT 022-01 Mythology and Folklore Summer 2011
Call# 10283-01
Time7:30-9:20 AM; Days: MTWTh; Room: L31
Instructor: Wallis Leslie, 408-864-8999 x3047
lesliewallis@fhda.edu
The Christian story tells us that we are dear to God who has a purpose for our lives. The Humanist story tells us that by learning and working we can help make the world a better place. The Nationalist story tells us that our lives are necessary to preserve the nation and increase its strength. The American success story tells us that our efforts should be spent to achieve social and economic status. Myths show how people living far apart in time and technology have told stories to help themselves understand the human condition—understand the same pain, joy, confusion and wonder that we confront today, but perhaps we explain it by telling different stories. Maxine Hong Kingston in The Woman Warrior reports that her mother told her stories from China: “Whenever she had to warn us about life, my mother told stories...to grow up on. She tested our strength to establish realities. Those in the emigrant generations who could not reassert brute survival died young and far from home.” Myths are also stories that helped people survive. This class will read stories told long ago and stories currently in the making. Perhaps we’ll discover a “hero with a thousand faces,” or perhaps we’ll find our own story. Course readings will include myths from all around the world as well as folk tales, urban legends, and selected critical readings of anthropologists, psychologists, and theoreticians such as Gimbutas, Frazer, Campbell, Jung, and Eliade.
ATTENDANCE: Students are expected to attend class regularly, arriving on time, having read the material and prepared to discuss and write about the assigned readings. Much classroom work is done collaboratively, that is, working in pairs or small groups. The most sought after qualities in the current job market are the ability to find information, to work productively without supervision, and to work within a group. All these traits are fostered in a collaborative classroom. Thus, your punctuality and preparation are essential to your successful performance in this class.
PAPERS: One analytical 4 page essay (1,000 words) exploring the ways the course readings, lectures, and group presentations as well as additional reading and research illuminate your understanding of a myth/folklore topic.
CLASS PARTICIPATION: Active, informed, responsive, and ready answers to questions, keeping up with the reading, daily attendance, and productive participation in group activities will earn top credit here.
QUIZZES: Spot quizzes—no make-ups.
TESTS: There will be a midterm and a final exam consisting of short answer and essay questions covering class work and assigned reading.
INTEGRITY ALERT: Plagiarism (presenting other people's words or ideas as one's own withouth documentation) will not be tolerated in this class.
GRADES: Grades are based on points. Keep a record of the points you have earned as well as the points that are possible to earn for all the class activities so that you will always know your current grade. Points are earned for paper (100), midterm (100), final (200), class participation (50), quizzes (10 each), and class projects (10-20 each). Points are subtracted for a late paper and for excessive absences (you will be marked absent if you arrive late or leave early). Of total possible points, 94-100%= A; 90-93%=A-; 87-89%=B+; 84-86%=B; 80-83%=B-; 77-79%=C+;70-76%=C; 60-69%=D; less than 60% of total possible points = F
REQUIRED TEXTS:
World Mythology, 3RD ed., Donna Rosenberg and The Classic Fairy Tales, edited by Maria Tatar
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