Magister Yeats
M1.01
Defining "Mythology"
BELL WORK
Class share-out: How would you define mythology?
WE WILL
List and define terms relevant to mythology using a slideshow as a guide.
YOU WILL
Complete the mythology terms quiz (you'll need to join the class on quia.com first)
Fill out the first-day questionnaire.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Share out some of the things you hope to learn from this class!
M1.02
The Etiological Lens
BELL WORK
Journal response: Without looking up any information or using outside sources, write an answer to the question: Why are there seasons?
WE WILL
Share out student answers.
Listen to the myth of Hades and Persephone
Discuss the myth through an etiological perspective.
YOU WILL
Read the myth of Callisto from Ovid's Metamorphoses.
CW: As with many stories about male gods, this story involves rape and sexual assault.
If you'd prefer an alternative assignment, read about the myth of the flood of Jupiter.
In your journal, answer the following questions:
What does Jupiter create in this myth?
What twist does Juno add, thus making Jupiter's creation unique?
If reading the flood of Jupiter:
What reason for the flood is given?
How does this myth both explain a single origin for humanity, but avoids the awkward potential for everyone having the same parents?
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Watch this video explaining the scientific reason for seasons (3:56). Look back at your answer and see how accurate your response was. If you mentioned a common misconception, congrats on sharing a myth!
M1.03
Rationalism and Euhemerus
BELL WORK
Watch the myth of the Cretan minotaur explained through a rationalist lens (TED-ED Video).
WE WILL
Review the story of Callisto and Arcas.
Describe the ancient philosopher Euhemerus and the rationalist perspective.
Compare and contrast rationalism with etiological perspective (slides)
YOU WILL
Watch this summary of the myth of Phaethon. Identify three aspects of natural world and daily life that might have fed into the creation of this myth.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Watch this Crash Course (12:14) giving an overview of mythological lenses.
M1.04
Myth of Ritual
BELL WORK
Read the quote below from the ancient Greek philosopher Xenophanes, who lived around the middle of the 5th century BCE: If cattle or horses or lions had hands and could draw, and could sculpt like men, then the horses would draw their gods like horses, and cattle like cattle; and each they would shape bodies of gods in the likeness, each kind, of their own.” Write a paragraph response describing how the quote above fits into the concepts of rationalism and Euhemerism.
WE WILL
Share out: When was the last time you witnessed a ritual?
Listen to the myth of Prometheus tricking Zeus at the sacrifice.
Discuss the myth through the perspective of sacrificial ritual. (Greek depiction of sacrifice)
YOU WILL
Read this excerpt from the Last Supper, then watch this clip of the ritual of the Eucharist. In your journal, describe how the account found in the book of Luke explains the nature of the ritual performed.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Read the wikipedia about the Rex Nemorensis, a ritual made popular by the mythologist James Frazier.
M1.05
Freudian Myth
BELL WORK
Pre-check: What do you know about Freud?
WE WILL
Define elements of Freudian psychology.
Discuss the myth of Oedipus Rex.
YOU WILL
Read the creation of Venus myth and in a paragraph, describe what taboos you think may be at the focus of this myth. How might this myth serve as an example of psychological sublimation?
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Watch this SciShow episode (5:55) about why Freud is still taught despite the fact we know he was mostly wrong.
M1.06
Jungian Myth
BELL WORK
Review Freudian analysis of the Venus story.
WE WILL
Describe the archetypical characters and events of Jung.
YOU WILL
Read this description of Buddha's four visions. In a paragraph format, identify what possible archetypal characters or events are present within this story. Point out at least four different archetypal elements.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Watch this Crash Course Mythology episode (12:55) giving an overview of Freud and Jung.
M1.07
Structuralism in Theory
BELL WORK
Review psychology in myth.
WE WILL
Discuss the complex form of analysis known as structuralism, focusing on the work of Claude Levi-Strauss.
Discuss the 12 labors of Hercules.
YOU WILL
Complete a 3 sentence exit ticket.
Summarize what we learned in two sentences.
Write one question for us to discuss next time.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Watch this helpful but lengthy breakdown of structuralism (20:31)
M1.08
Structuralism in Practice
BELL WORK
Review questions for yesterday
WE WILL
Review structuralism and focus on Levi-Strauss' diagram.
YOU WILL
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Watch this helpful but length breakdown of structuralism (20:31)
M1.09
The Cultural In-Group
BELL WORK
Fill in the blank: The three things that Americans value most are __, __, and __.
WE WILL
Read Odysseus' escape from the cave of Polyphemus.
Discuss what myth emphasizes about Greek vs non-Greek behavior?
YOU WILL
Watch a description of the entering the underworld Egyptian myth. Then, using this translation of such a papyrus, analyze how this negative confession lays out important elements of Egyptian culture. In your journal, make a list of what ancient Egyptian culture values.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Select one of our other types of myth and analyze the negative confession. What meaning emerges from that type of approach?
M1.10
Cultural Out-Groups
BELL WORK
In your journal, make a list of traditions in your school, your family, and in broader culture.
WE WILL
Discuss the flipside of cultural analysis: the out group.
YOU WILL
Return to the myth of Polyphemus and Odysseus. What traits does Polyphemus show belongs to the out-group? Write a list in your journal.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Read the ancient Roman poet Juvenal's rant against the Greeks. What are his basic complaints about Greeks in Rome?
M1.11
Feminist Analysis
BELL WORK
What are three words you think are most associated with how men act? What are three words you think are associated with how women act?
WE WILL
Summarize how to analyze myth based on the roles of of men and women.
YOU WILL
Read the legend of Mucius Scaevola and Cloelia. In a paragraph, how do these two interrelated myths enforce or diverge from traditional gender roles?
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Watch this TED Ed video explaining the reality of the Greek Amazonians (5:05).
M1.12
Comparative Myth
BELL WORK
What are some common elements you've seen in the myths we've explored?
WE WILL
Review the foundations of comparative mythology theory.
Discuss the various origin myths surrounding the origin of Cupid.
YOU WILL
Read three different variations of the birth of Ganesha. Compare the three versions and identify what information is unique to each version. Make a triple Venn diagram in your journal to denote the differences.
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Read and compare the origins of another goddess of love, Venus.
M1.13 a-b
Mythical Analysis Essay
BELL WORK
(A) A quick review of the different lenses through which myth can be understood.
WE WILL
(A) Go over the rubric for your summative essay for unit 1.
YOU WILL
(A-B) Work on your mythology essay (Due date to be announced)
IF YOU FINISH EARLY
Hand in your essay for teacher feedback, then make revisions/edits.