HUM 321 Myth
Myths and myth cycles have had a deep and pervasive influence on literature and culture, and thus on everyday life. This course examines the nature of myth and the modes of belief that have sustained it within various traditions. Students will study myths and their expression in literature and cultural artifacts (such as art, drama, music, film, and games) from ancient to modern times, as well as theories of interpretation. The selection will draw from a global frame, including Greek, Roman, Mesopotamian, Celtic, Germanic, U.S. American myth traditions, as well as other world traditions, such as, but not limited to African, Indian, Chinese, and Mesoamerican traditions.
Prerequisites
4 Undergraduate credits
Effective July 8, 1998 to present
Meets graduation requirements for
Learning outcomes
General
- Analyze modern allusions to myth in art, literature, film, architecture, and pop culture
- Explain the historical and cultural contexts of selected myth traditions
- Compare myths across multiple traditions
- Describe the interdisciplinary connections between mythology and relevant disciplines as history, geography, archeology, religion, philosophy, psychology, sociology, cultural anthropology, biology and environmental studies.
- Interpret selected myth traditions including their characters, themes, settings, plots, allegorical relationships to history, and general cultural relevance
- Apply major contemporary theories used to explain and analyze myths, such as comparative, psychological, socio-cultural, structuralist, and feminist perspective.
Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
Goal 6: The Humanities and Fine Arts
- Demonstrate awareness of the scope and variety of works in the arts and humanities.
- Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within a historical and social context.
- Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.
- Engage in the creative process or interpretive performance.
- Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.