Spring 2023 Greek Myth CSULB Department of Classics

CSULB Classics Program Classics 101 Spring 2023 Greek Mythology GE, 3 Units C2, Humanities: Literature, Philosophy, and Languages other than English Tuesday and Thursdays: 11:00-12:15 PM DESN Room 112 Instructor: Dr. Diana Librandi Black-figured amphora representing the Judgment of Paris https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/246723 Welcome to Classics 101! This is an introductory course to Greek mythology, its heroes, monsters, gods, and sagas. Mythology is the study of myth. But what is a myth? What makes myths different from other stories? Why did ancient Greek poets recite and write down episodes from the myth? Why did artists paint and sculpt mythical scenes? What can myths tell us about ancient Greek society and culture? These are some of the questions we will consider throughout the semester. We will familiarize ourselves with prominent myths from ancient Greece (while occasionally looking at other ancient civilizations) and some of the methodologies used by scholars to interpret them. From the adventures of the Homeric heroes to the cursed house of Oedipus, from the saga of Orestes to the labors of Heracles, ancient myths invite us to 1

reflect on what it means to be a human being not only in antiquity but also in modern times. Through a close scrutiny of ancient texts, artifacts, and modern scholarship on Greek myth, we will gain insights into ancient Greek ideas about life, death, love and sexuality, family, power, and religion while bringing them into conversation with contemporary issues. Learning Goals Upon completion of this class, students will be able to ● identify mythical characters and draw connections between stories, themes, and issues associated with them ● examine the relevance of ancient myths for contemporary issues related to the human existence ● recognize significant scholarly approaches to the interpretation of myth ● compare and contrast literary texts and material evidence from different time periods ● reinforce critical thinking and skills to select and organize information from literary and philosophical texts ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prerequisites and Advice for Success in this Class The informal prerequisites for success are a willingness to learn, to get out of one’s comfort zone, and to reach out to me if you need help or support in your learning process. At CSULB, in GE Foundation courses, "you will develop and improve fundamental academic skills that are critical to success in college" and "provide you with the basic essential skills of a college-educated person including written communication and oral communication in the English language, critical thinking, and mathematics/quantitative reasoning." Deadline Extensions and Special Accommodations (BMAC): Each student can use a one-time 48-hour extension for one discussion post OR for the short paper, no questions asked. You are required to notify me via email about your intention to use the one-time extension. It is your right to have further extensions for documented needs. Students who require special accommodations for lectures, exams, and assignments should contact BMAC staff as soon as possible. BMAC staff will work with students to identify a reasonable accommodation. For more information visit https://web.csulb.edu/divisions/students/dss/ Below you will find a few pieces of advice to succeed in this class. (Are you completing these tasks/trying these learning strategies with some consistency? Check-list below!) Attend and/or watch lectures. Take notes on the slides posted in advance . If you miss class, catch up with the readings, watch lecture recordings, and reach out to me via email or during office hours. We can go over key points/unclear concepts again. Ask questions about anything which is unclear/you want to know more about. My expertise is a resource for you and I am here to help you learn. Consider disorientation and oversights as an opportunity to learn. Be patient with your learning process. Reach out to me if you feel you’re missing something about concepts, assignments, readings. Familiarize yourself with BeachBoard, check News items, and the readings posted. 2

you can check it out for 3 hours at a time; password for checkout: myth101 ● Aeschylus, Oresteia , new trans. by C. Collard, Oxford World’s Classics, 2009. Oxford UP link: here ISBN: 978-0199537815 AVAILABLE ON RESERVE AT THE LIBRARY: Reserve (Reference) - 3 hours PA 3827.A7 C58 2002 Optional Textbooks: Helen Morales, Classical Mythology , A Very Short Introduction , Oxford 2007 Barry Powell, Classical Myth , 9th edition, Oxford 2021 You can use these textbooks to build on lecture material. They both present clear indexes that allow you to find topics easily. Trigger Warnings and Guidelines for Inclusive Discussion In our meetings we aim to create a judgment-free environment, where we strive to never make assumptions about gender, race, gender pronouns, sexual orientation, and life experiences. Because the class will represent a diversity of individual beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences, every member of this class must show respect for every other member of this class. We all have a responsibility not to be offensive to each other, or to participate in, or condone harassment or discrimination of any kind. It is important to be aware that our readings can be graphic and our discussion of sensitive topics such as death, violence, and trauma may be triggering. I encourage you to discuss with me potential modifications to the course material in accordance with your particular sensitivities. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Course Grading Standards Percent Range Letter Grade Description 90-100% A Excellent: Exceeds standard (receives A) within course requirements; produces superior written work; perfect attendance, scores 90+% and over on quizzes, midterms and finals; participates regularly in class discussions and activities. 89-80% B Good with Growth Potential: Exceeds standard (receives A and B) in course requirements; almost-perfect attendance, scores minimum of 80+% on quizzes, midterms and finals; produces written work requiring minimal editing and re-writes; participates regularly in class discussions and activities. 79-70% C Satisfactory with Growth Encouraged: Approaches standard (receives mostly B and C) in most course requirements; attends class regularly, scores minimum of 70+% on quizzes, midterms and finals; produces written work requiring editing and re-writes; participates occasionally in class discussions and activities. 65-70% D Barely Passing: Well below standard (receives mostly C and D) in most course requirements; attends class less-than regularly, scores minimum of 69% on quizzes, midterms and finals; produces written work requiring extensive editing and re-writes; participates rarely in class discussions and activities. 64% and Below F Unsatisfactory: Seriously below standard (receives mostly D and F) in most course requirements; attends class less-than regularly, scores less than 60% on quizzes, midterms and finals; 4

produces written work requiring extensive editing and re-writes; never or rarely participates in class discussions and activities. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Course Grade Breakdown Attendance and Participation : Your punctual attendance and consistent participation is essential for your success in this class. I strongly encourage you to ask questions and to comment on the material we engage with: raise your hand and chime in. Lectures, slides, and in-class discussion will be fundamental tools for your studying. I will post slides on BeachBoard/Content. While I will not keep track of your attendance. However, your attendance and participation is essential to succeed in this class. Assignments, Tests, Exams Please note that unsubmitted assignments will receive 0 points. A 0 has a strong impact on your overall grade. Please make your calculations, plan wisely, and strategize accordingly. % Due Date Weekly Quizzes Under Quizzes on BeachBoard every Friday until 11:59 pm, there will be a quiz on the material covered in that week (both Tuesday and Thursday) with 15 multiple choice, true/false, multiple select questions. The quiz will last 15 minutes and there will be two attempts. The quizzes with two lowest grades will be dropped at the end of the semester. Therefore, no make-up quizzes will be offered. The quizzes are NOT open-note or open-book. Please comply with CSULB code of conduct and academic integrity. FAQs: How will quizzes be graded? What will the quizzes be about? See FAQs section below. 15 % Every Friday with some exceptions. Please check the weekly schedule below and mark your calendar. Reflection Posts and Discussion Questions 2 Reflection Posts (300 words minimum) : In the posts you will comment on a question, short passage, or an image. You should consider these posts as an opportunity to practice for the short paper you will submit later in the course. 2 Discussion Questions (50 words minimum) : Your discussion questions will be based on the readings assigned for that week. You may want to consider the task of formulating your own questions as an opportunity to pivot our discussion towards an issue, text, or artifact you believe is thought-provoking. FAQ: How will reflection posts and discussion questions be graded? See FAQs section below. 20 % Please check the weekly schedule below for due dates and mark your calendar. Short Paper (1000-1250 words) Detailed instructions to complete this assignment and grading rubric will be available on Beachboard. The Writing Center offers tutoring services to help students improve their writing! Make an 20 % 5

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 1: Myth, ancient and modern definitions ● Monday, January 23: General introduction to the course Myths, legends, folktales: definitions and features ● Wednesday, January 25: Comparative Mythology ● Friday, January 27: Quiz 0 on the Syllabus: you can take the quiz as many times as you want until you get 15 out of 15. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 2: Mortality vs. Immortality ● Monday, January 30 Readings: Introduction to and Hesiod’s Theogony (online PDF) ● Wednesday, February 1 Readings: Hesiod’s Works and Days (online PDF) ● Friday, February 3: Quiz 1 (covers the material of Week 1 and Week 2) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 3: Monsters vs. Heracles ● Monday, February 6: Reflection Post #1 Due, 11:59 PM Theogony Monsters Review: Prometheus, Typhoeus, Giants and Titans Readings: D. Felton, Rejecting and Embracing the Monstrous in Ancient Greece ; Typhoeus (from Theogony ) ● Wednesday, February 8 Heracles, its Labors, the Underworld Readings: Euripides’ Heracles Stesichorus, Geryoneis ● Friday, February 10: Quiz 2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 4 Homeric Heroes: the Iliad ● Monday, February 13 Definition of Heroes and Heroic Cults; The Rage of Achilles Readings: Introduction to the Iliad , Iliad Book 1 and Book 18 ● Wednesday, February 15 Paris, Helen, and Aphrodite 7

Readings: Iliad Book 3 and Book 6 ● Friday, February 17: Quiz 3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 5 Homeric Heroes: the Odyssey ● Monday, February 20 Odysseus, the Odyssey and Beyond Readings: Introduction to the Odyssey; Odyssey Books 9 and 12 ● Wednesday, February 22 Young Heroes: Telemachus and the Telemachus Complex Readings: Odyssey Books 1 and 4 ● Friday, February 24: Quiz 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 6 Know Yourself: Oedipus and the Oedipodean Family ● Monday, February 27: Discussion Question #1 Due, 11:59 PM Oedipus without the Complex Readings: fragments from the Theban cycle; Sophocles, Oedipus the King ; (first half of the play in Fagles trans., Sophocles, The Three Theban Plays ) ● Wednesday, March 1 Freud & Oedipus: Psychoanalytic Interpretations of Myth Readings: Sophocles, Oedipus the King (second half) ● Friday, March 3: Quiz 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 7 Enemy Brothers ● Monday, March 6 The Curses of Oedipus; Eteocles and Polynices Readings: Aeschylus’s Seven against Thebes (first half) ● Wednesday, March 8 The Enemy Brothers: Polis/Genos Readings: Aeschylus’s Seven against Thebes (second half) ● Friday, March 10: Quiz 6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 8 Midterm Week ● Monday, March 13 Midterm Review ● Wednesday, March 15 Midterm Exam: Bring a Greenbook (available at CSULB store) and your notes 8

● Friday, April 21: Quiz 9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 13: The Oresteia : Revenge and Justice (Part II) ● Monday, April 24 Avenging the Father: Orestes Readings: Libation Bearers ● Wednesday, April 26 After Revenge, Justice? Readings: Eumenides ● Friday, April 28: Quiz 10 —---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Week 14 Myths, Philosophy, Allegory ● Monday, May 1 Discussion Question #2 Due, 11:59 PM Plato’s Myths: Tripartite Soul, Myth of Er, Atlantis Readings: Selections from Plato’s Republic ● Wednesday, May 3 Myth and the Contemporary World: Antigone Rising Final Exam Review ● Friday, May 5: Quiz 11 Friday, May 5 11:59 PM Turning point deadline: it is time to catch up with reflection posts and discussion questions if you skipped them. After today no late submissions will be accepted and you will receive a 0 for unsubmitted reflection posts and discussion questions. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Final Exam: Bring a Green Book and 10 pages of notes. CSULB Policies and Resources. Please Read Carefully! Withdrawal Policy Students are held responsible for completion of every course in which they register or for withdrawing during the first two weeks of classes from courses which they do not intend to complete. Application for withdrawal from the University or from a class must be officially filed by the student at Enrollment Services whether the student has ever attended the class or not; otherwise, the student will receive a grade of "U" (unauthorized incomplete) in the course. Application for withdrawal is made at the Enrollment Services. (See also the California State University policy on "Return of Fees.") Withdrawal during the final three weeks of instruction : Withdrawal during the final three weeks of instruction is not permitted except in cases such as accident or serious illness where the circumstances causing the withdrawal are clearly beyond the student's control and the assignment of an Incomplete is not practical. Ordinarily, withdrawal in this category will involve total withdrawal from the campus except 10

that a Credit / No Credit grade or an Incomplete may be assigned for courses in which sufficient work has been completed to permit an evaluation to be made. Requests for permission to withdraw under these circumstances must be made in writing on forms available in Enrollment Services. The requests and approvals will state the reasons for the withdrawal. These requests must be approved by the instructor, department chairperson and dean of the school. Copies of such approvals are kept on file in Enrollment Services. Please read more at https://www.csulb.edu/student-records/dropping- and-withdrawing Academic Integrity Students are expected to abide by the academic integrity policy which outlines what constitutes cheating and plagiarism, what procedures will be used for alleged violations, what actions will be imposed, and what the procedures are available for appealing the actions taken. The policy summarizes faculty actions, including those which may lead to the assignment of a failing grade for a course, and for a variety of administrative actions, which may lead to dismissal from the University. The CSULB Policy on Academic Integrity (21-01) is available from the Academic Senate website. Student Resources This handout provides helpful information on centers and organizations whose goal is the success of CSULB students. Please take advantage of the opportunities they offer https://www.csulb.edu/sites/default/files/groups/ student-affairs/2021_dsa_departmentprograms_h andout_textonly_ada.pdf CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) If you are in a crisis, reach out for help! It is NOT a sign of weakness to seek help from healthcare professionals. Please visit https://www.csulb.edu/student-affairs/counseling -and-psychological-services Dream Success Center Undocumented students are welcome in this class. If you are undocumented and need assistance with successfully completing courses or a degree at CSULB, the staff of the Dream Success Center can help you with advising, campus services, legal immigration support, and other university resources. Visit the Dream Success Center in the Student Success Center, room 290, contact them at (562) 985-5869 or via email at dream@csulb.edu. For more information, please visit https://csulb.edu/dream. Note: For all students addressing undocumented immigration as a category of analysis in class, do not use the word "illegal(s)" in a discussion. The term "illegal(s)" promotes a culture of intolerance and violence toward foreign nationals and undocumented immigrants. A more accurate and non-offensive term is "undocumented immigrant(s)." The use of this language signifies respect to the population addressed and reflects our campus's most basic values of diversity and civility in academic discourse Basic Needs If you are having trouble affording enough food to eat, do not have a safe and reliable place to sleep, and/or experiencing an emergency or crisis, then the Basic Needs Program is here to help. The Basic Needs Program provides emergency services and resources for students. To learn more about the program, visit https://www.csulb.edu/student-affairs/basic-need s/basic-needs-services . To apply for emergency services such as meal assistance program, emergency grant, or emergency housing, complete the information at this link: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?CSU LongBeach&layout_id=2 . The Basic Needs Program recognizes that not having your basic 11

● What is considered fair game? Everything covered in the week in which the quiz will take place, i.e. both the material covered on Tuesday and Thursday. Quiz 1 is an exception because it will focus on the material covered both in Week 1 and Week 2. ● How should I study for the quiz? Study lecture slides, the notes you took during lecture, and complete the readings. Select the most important information on the basis of the slides and the lectures. ● Do I have to memorize everything? No. The slides and the lectures guide you to select the most important concepts and notions you have to learn FAQ: What are the grading criteria for reflection posts and discussion questions? A: 95 Your post is on point, submitted by the deadline, and meets or exceeds the word count requirement. B: 85 Your post is on point, submitted by the deadline, but it is below the word count requirement. C: 75 Your post is on point but is submitted after the deadline. Later submissions are accepted until our last day of class, 11:59 PM. If you submit your post late, you are required to notify me via email so that I can input your grade. Your notification allows me to keep track of your posts without the risk of overlooking them and assigning a 0. F/0 points: Your post is not submitted. 13