Instructor: John C. Goshert
Office: Education Building 010-117
Hours: MWF 2:00-3:30
Contact: e-mail jcgoshert@hotmail.com / phone (801) 764-6288

Leeming, David.  The World of Myth.  Oxford UP, 1990.
Freud Sigmund.  Civilization and Its Discontents.  Norton, 1989.
Conrad, Joseph.  Heart of Darkness.  Penguin, 1999.
DeLillo, Don.  Libra.  Penguin, 1991.

Additional reading assignments will be available through course reserves

This section of Myths and Legends is divided into three parts: “Classical Mythologies,” “Mythology and Modernity,” and “Competing Mythologies.”  We will spend approximately the first third of the semester surveying the mythological traditions of various cultures, tracing what David Leeming identifies as universal mythic themes: of origins, heroic people, and of special places.  Next, we will look at one major work of short fiction and a major philosophical work from the turn of the century in order to consider the ways in which modern Europeans begin to reexamine their mythological traditions.  Finally, we close the course with works of historical criticism and historical fiction in order to examine the competition of mythologies—indeed, the ways in which “truth” achieves a mythic status—in contemporary America.

Class periods will be spent discussing the reading assigned for the day, exploring contexts and developing the strategies for becoming informed respondents to the texts.  Therefore, in order to get the full benefit of the course, you must come to class each day prepared to participate in these goals.  Attendance and participation will factor into your final grade.

Short response/reaction papers will be due each week.  These papers will be about two pages in length and will address any topics you find significant in the reading.  Because you will certainly become inspired to respond by class discussions, lectures, student presentations, these papers will not be difficult if you follow the above advice.  See previous course sites for sample response papers.

Each student will make a brief presentation of research on any aspect of myth.  Presentations can be made either by individuals or by panels of no more than three people.  A sign up sheet will go around in the second week of class, so think about a day or topic in which you may be interested.

There will be a take home midterm.

If you have a disability that may impair your ability to successfully complete the course, contact Accessibility Services (BU 145).  They will help coordinate any necessary services.

   Part I: Classical Mythologies

August

23 Course Introduction

28 Leeming: 3-63
30 Leeming: 64-89

September

4 Hurston: “Zombies” chapter from Tell My Horse (reserve)
    begin film The Seventh Seal (100 min)
6 complete The Seventh Seal

11 Leeming: 90-122
13 Leeming: 123-74

18 Leeming: 214-55
20 Leeming: 255-311

25 Leeming: 312-48
27 no class

    Part II: Mythology and Modernity

October

2 Freud: ch. 1-3
4 Freud: ch. 4-5

9 Freud: ch. 6-7
11 complete Freud

16 Conrad: Heart of Darkness (ch. 1-2)
18 complete Conrad

23 Film: Apocalypse Now (150 min)
25 complete Apocalypse Now

30 Midterm preparation

November

1 Take home Midterm assigned (Due Tuesday 6 November)

    Part III: Competing Mythologies

6 Barthes: “The World of Wrestling”
8  Barthes and the Languages of Myth

13 Chin: “Come All Ye . . .” (1-52)
15 complete Chin

20 Reed: chapter 52 [History of Osiris cult] from Mumbo Jumbo (reserve)
22 no class

27 Discussion: the directions of mythology
29 DeLillo, Libra: “In the Bronx” – “In Atsugi”

20 DeLillo: “20 May” – “2 July”
22 DeLillo: “In Minsk” – “In Dallas”

27 DeLillo: “6 September” – “25 September”
29 DeLillo: “In Mexico City” – “In Dallas”

December

4 complete Libra
6 Conclusion