Classical Studies 200
Comparative Literature 200

Classical Mythology

University of Pennsylvania
Spring 1996


Contents

General Information

Calendar

Schedule

Grading

Directory of Online Resources


General Information

Instructor:
Joseph Farrell, Department of Classical Studies and Program in Comparative Literature and Literary Theory
Office hours: M 2 - 4 Wms 708 and by appointment

TAs:
Kellee Barnard, Ancient History Graduate Group
Daniel Beale, Classical Studies Graduate Group
William (Brad) Hafford, Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranean World Graduate Group
Kristin Holland, Classical Studies Graduate Group
Catherine Keane, Classical Studies Graduate Group
Julia Shear, Art and Archaeology of the Mediterranean World Graduate Group

Time and place of class meetings:
  • Lectures: Monday and Wednesday, 11 - 12, Leidy Lab, Room 10
  • Recitations:
    • Thursday
    • Friday

    Books:
    NB: The following titles haave been ordered and are available in the Pennsylvania Book Center at 38th and Walnut. Online versions of some titles are available, and in such cases hotlinks have been provided on this syllabus. You are welcome to use these or any other online editions of the texts we will be reading instead of purchasing the printed editions. Be advised, however, that the available online versions differ, often substantially, from the printed trade editions.

  • Grading

    Your grade will be determined by how well you perform on each of: Each of these components is worth 20% of your grade.

    Schedule of: first paper due date; midterm hour exam; second paper due date


    Calendar

    January February March April May
    MWTh/FMWTh/FMWTh/FMWTh/FMWTh/F
         1/2  1134/5 1 
       578/9467/881011/12   
    151718/19121415/16111314/15151718/19   
    222425/26192122/23182021/22222425/26   
    2931 262829252728/2929     

    Schedule

    Part 1: The Greek Myths in Context

    (Weeks 1 - 5, January 15 - February 16)

    Week 1: Introduction

    Week 2: Myth in Greek Literature, Art, and Cult

    Week 3: Myth, Society, and the Individual

    Week 4: Myth and Rationalism

    Week 5: Syncretism and the Idea of Universal History


    Part 2: The Roman Appropriation of Greek Mythology

    (Weeks 6 - 8, February 19 - March 8)

    Week 6: Rome in the Hellenistic World

    Week 7:

    Week 8


    Spring break

    (Week 9, March 11 - 15)

    Part 3: Pagan Myths in Christian Europe

    (Weeks 10 - 12, March 18 - April 5)

    Week 10: Why Did the Greek Myths Survive?

    Week 11: Classical Mythology in Renaissance Humanism

    Week 12: The Modern Idea of Antiquity


    Part 4: The Greek Myths in Modern Thought

    (Weeks 13 - 15, April 8 - 26)

    Week 13: The "Transcendent Significance" of Myth

    Week 14: Anthropological Approaches to Mythology

    Week 15: The Greek Myths in 20th Century Culture


    Reading days

    Monday, April 29 - Wednesday, May 1

    Final Examination

    Friday, May 3, 11 am - 1 pm (location TBA)