English 116 - Mythology in Literature Professor N. Stork Spring 2011 Office Hours: T 1230-1330, T 1500-1600, F 800-900 and by appointment Faculty Office Building 218 nancypstork@gmail.com 408-924-4477 This class is an introduction to Greek, Roman, Norse and Celtic mythology. We will cover the most important and influential of the Western myths that have come downinto the modern world. The book Classical Myth includes Egyptian and other Near Eastern analogues to Western myth, but we will only consider these in passing. We willconsider folk religion, popular piety, ritual practice, politics, theology, allegory andpsychology as aids in understanding the nature of myth. We will also try to understandmyth as distinct from literary forms such as fiction, fantasy, epic, romance, etc. Class will be run as an informal lecture with discussion. The Chaucer texts are available online in Middle English or modern versions. Many of them are available in the NortonAnthology or the Norton Critical Edition of The Canterbury Tales. There will be 2 unannounced reading quizzes, 6 reading responses, an 1800-word paper and, in lieu ofa final exam, a 500-word reaction paper to a simulcast production of Wagner's 19thcentury opera Die Walk�re (The Valkyrie, part of his 4 opera cycle, The Ring of theNibelung.) Late Policy: I will allow assignments to be turned in late or made up only in the case ofgenuine and compelling emergencies beyond the student's control. Please let me know your situation as soon as possible so that we can make alternate arrangements. Plagiarism Policy: All work must be your own. Please ask me if you have any questions or concerns about citing your sources. Cheating or plagiarism will bepunished by a failing grade in the course. Disability Accommodations: If you need accommodations for a disability, please see me to make arrangements. Texts: Barry B. Powell, Classical Myth, 6th edition, Pearson/Prentice Hall. (Earlier editions of this book are very similar and can be used with little difficulty.) Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, ed. Stephen H.A. Shepherd, Norton. The Saga of the Volsungs, trans. Jesse Byock, Penguin (an earlier translation is available on-line if you do not want to purchase the book) Simulcast or Video Students will be required either to attend the Metropolitan Opera Simulcast ofWagner's Die Walk�re at a local movie theater on Saturday, May 14th, beginning at 900AM and running for approximately 5 hours. The simulcast will be presented at SantanaRow, Eastridge Mall, Oakridge, Mall and Cupertino as well as other Bay Area locations. See the Metropolitan Opera website for other locations. I am aware that this date is thesame day as the 100W final exam, and am thus providing an alternate way to see this production, i.e. to view the recorded opera on MLK Library's Opera in Video series (production from the Gran Teatre del Liceu). Grading: Reading Quizzes:! 20% Reading Responses:! 30% Paper:! 30% Die Walk�re Reaction Paper: 20% ! Schedule of Classes: January 28! Introduction. February 4! Classical Myth, Chapters 4, 5 Creation February 11! Classical Myth, Chapters 6, 7, 8 !Olympians February 18! Classical Myth, Chapters 9, 10 Fertility February 25! Classical Myth, Chapter 19, 20 Troy March 4! Classical Myth, Ch. 11 Underworld and Sir Orfeo (available on-line) March 11! Chaucer, Knight's Tale March 18! Chaucer, Wife of Bath's Tale (not Prologue), Merchant's Tale March 25! Morte Darthur, pp. 1-61 Spring Break April 8! Morte Darthur, Sankgreal 462-506 April 15 " Morte Darthur, Lancelot and Guinevere, 580-620 April 22 ! Morte Darthur, Death of Arthur, 646-698 April 29! Saga of the Volsungs May 6! Libretto of Die Walk�re (available on-line) PAPERS DUE May 13 ! No Class Meeting since we will be seeing Die Walk�re tomorrow Final Meeting to discuss Die Walk�re: Thursday, May 19, 800-930 AM Reaction Papers Due May 19.