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Catalog Description Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL C1000 Hours: 54 lecture Description: The major elements of western mythology, its history and development as part of the human experience and its influence on art, literature and politics. (CSU, UC) Course Student Learning Outcomes CSLO #1: Identify and describe diverse cultural values and artifacts related to mythology. CSLO #2: Analyze and evaluate diverse cultural values and artifacts related to mythology. CSLO #3: Compare and contrast selected values and artifacts relevant to mythology within and/or across cultures and eras. CSLO #4: Communicate effectively orally or in writing on topic relevant to mythology. Effective Term Fall 2025 Course Type Credit - Degree-applicable Contact Hours 54 Outside of Class Hours 108 Total Student Learning Hours 162 Course Objectives Students will, through oral and written work: 1. Discuss and evaluate the ways in which the themes and patterns of myths provide insights into human experience; 2. Analyze and chart the ways in which cultural circumstances and values are reflected in myths; 3. Discuss and describe the relationship between myths and their cultural and historical settings as found in Classical, Hebrew, Norse, Babylonian and Sumerian, and Egyptian mythological systems; 4. Compare and contrast mythological Gods, heroes, adventures and creation stories from Classical, Hebrew, Norse, Babylonian and Sumerian, and Egyptian mythological systems; 5. Describe the historical background in which myths were created and analyze why these myths originated and succeeded in their specific historical and cultural climates; 6. Communicate analyses, interpretations and critiques about myths and mythology; 7. Identify and analyze the social, political and cultural influences on the development of mythology from the various aforementioned historical/cultural systems; 8. Identify and analyze the effects of mythological systems on social, political and cultural systems of the various aforementioned systems; 9. Describe and discuss the influence of myth on art and literature; 10. Describe and evaluate the influence of myth on historical as well as present day politics. General Education Information Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability AA/AS - Literature & Language CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval) CSUGE - C2 Humanities Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval) IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval) IGETC - 3B Humanities Articulation Information CSU Transferable UC Transferable Methods of Evaluation Classroom Discussions Example: After learning about the various and their cultural and historical settings in Norse mythology, students will be prompted to analyze the various themes found in "The Voluspo" from the Poetic Edda. Based on these discussions, students will write a short paragraph identifying which part of the story is most appealing in terms of providing provide insights into the human experienc. Submitted paragraphs will be evaluated by whether they include relevant concepts and coherent reasoning. Essay Examinations Example: In a short essay, students will compare and contrast three elements from the myth of Pandora with the story of Adam and Eve. Use examples and passages from relevant primary texts to help explain and support your ideas Objective Examinations Example: A. Students will take a multiple-choice examination that identifies various elements within particular myths. For example: In Sumerian mythology, who is the god/goddess of wisdom, magic and incantations who resides in the ocean under the earth? (A) Ea/Enki; (B) Ereshkigal; (C) Astarte; (D) Anu. Projects Example: Create a poster board that presents compares and contrasts mythological Gods, heroes, adventures and creation stories from Classical, Hebrew, Norse, Babylonian and Sumerian, and Egyptian mythological systems. Repeatable No Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Lecture: Using a slide-presentation for an on-ground lecture, the instructor will present the various examples of mythological heroes. Through an interactive discussion, students will be asked to compare and contrast ancient Greek mythological heroes with individual found in the Hebrew Bible. Distance Learning Students will watch a video of the instructor explaining the historical context in which myths were created. In a discussion board assignment, students will describe the connection between particular myths and their historical context, and explain why these myths originated and succeeded in their specific historical context. Typical Out of Class Assignments Reading Assignments 1. Read Hesiod's account of the myth of Pandora ("Theogony" lines 560-612; "Works and Days" lines 60 - 105), and be prepared to discuss how Hesiod characterizes the feminine. 2. Read Read the chapter "The Voluspo" from the Poetic Edda and be prepared to discuss the themes of creation, conflict, and destruction within it. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Write a three page paper comparing and contrasting the story of Pandora with the story of Adam and Eve. 2. Pick a myth and analyze it from the points of view of various scholarly disciplines (you may not pick Oedipus Rex). 3. Read the story of Abraham's Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22), then read Soren Kierkegaard's "Fear and Trembling". Write a one page paper summarizing Kierkegaard's arguments, and a one page analysis of his argument: Do you agree with his analysis? Why or why not? Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) Required Materials Myth and Knowing: An Introduction to World Mythology Author: Scott A. Leonard, Michael McClure Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages Publication Date: 2003 Text Edition: Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: The Iliad (Homer) Author: Stephen Mitchell Publisher: Atria Books Publication Date: 2012 Text Edition: 1st, Reprint Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Theogony and Works and Days (Hesiod) Author: M.L. West Publisher: Oxford World's Classics Publication Date: 2009 Text Edition: Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: The World of Myth: An Anthology Author: David A. Leeming Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication Date: 2018 Text Edition: 3rd Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Classical Mythology: Images & Insights Author: Stephen Harris and Gloria Platzner Publisher: McGraw-Hill Publication Date: 2011 Text Edition: 6th Classic Textbook?: OER Link: OER: Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.

The study of Humanities offers an approach which integrates the arts, literature, history, music, philosophy and other disciplines. The program focuses on the culture of human civilization from classic antiquity through the Middle Ages and Renaissance to the Modern Era. The objective of the Humanities is to give a sense of wholeness to human experience.