Why do we still read and study the Greek and Roman myths, those stories of gods and heroes from civilizations long past? There are many possible answers to this question, but surely one important answer is that these stories contain, in some sense, truths that are real for all their embodiment in fictions. Teasing out the nature of these truths is difficult, but this much is, I think, supportable: by examining these mythic tales in the context of the culture that produced them we can come closer to an understanding of why and in what ways these myths might retain interest and meaning for us today.

In this course, we will investigate the classical myths, principally the Greek myths, in their cultural context. Specifically, we will first examine the relationship between myth and literature, and then the rather different relationship between myth and art, so as to understand better the nature of the sources for the myths. With that as preparation, we will consider the relationship between myth and ancient Greek religion and cult, which, as we will see, is in some respects rather problematic. Finally, we will look at how myth was treated by the Greeks as "rationalism" grew, that is, how the mythic tradition interacted with the development of logic, philosophy, science, and history in classical Greece. Along the way, we'll look at a number of general theories scholars have proposed for the purpose and function of myth, and at the end of the course we'll take a hard look at the viability of these theories.

Course requirements

You will be expected to know the assigned stories, and to be attentive to the sources from which these stories derive. But this is a college course: you are also expected to think, and to think hard, about the nature of these stories, what the stories seem to tell us, and the questions they raise (questions about the society, about the literature, about the nature of storytelling, about the nature of western thought, about the nature of human thought, and so forth).

We will look at and discuss many things in class which are not in the assigned texts, so attendance is important. I will assume that you have done the readings in advance, and you will find lectures and discussion confusing if you are not prepared. Keep up with the readings!

Written requirements:

1. Three 40-minute exams (see schedule) will give you the chance to demonstrate your recall and comprehension of reading assignments and of the artistic, theoretical, and other materials presented in the classroom. The format will be objective, mostly identification and short answer questions.
   
2. Three directed 3-page essays will give you an opportunity to think through important issues relating to the themes of the course. All essays will undergo a process of (a) peer review, (b) revision. At the end of the class, you will submit the two best essays for formal evaluation by the instructor.
   
3. You will be asked to participate as a peer reviewer for two of your fellow students for each of the three essays. You will not be graded on your review, but a sub-par effort will (a) be redone at the request of author or instructor, and (b) call into question your membership in the human race (since your fellow students will be relying on your help and guidance).

There will also be occasional, very short written material to be shared in class or over the class e-list.

Graded material will have the following significance:

• Exams (3) 40%
• Papers (2 graded) 40%
• Conscientious & timely completion of all assignments 20%

Textbooks (available in the Bucknell University Book Store)

• Barry P. Powell, Classical Myth. (=CM in the course schedule)
• N. K. Sandars, tr. The Epic of Gilgamesh.
• Greek Tragedies, vol. I. (Aeschylus: Agamemnon, Prometheus Bound; Sophocles, Oedipus the King, Antigone; Euripides, Hippolytus.)

For materials beyond the books, we will use the electronic reserve facility. Most of these materials will be assignments late in the course. I'll announce once they are ready.

E-list

You have been automatically enrolled as a subscriber to our class discussion list, CLAS215-01@bucknell.edu. This list will be used for announcements, key terms, occasional short assignments, and any topics you want to bring up to the group.

Office hours, e-mail address

I will be routinely available 2-3 Monday & Wednesday, 12-1 Thursday in my office in 70 Coleman; or contact me to make an appointment (X3522). Sometimes e-mail can be convenient for small problems, questions, comments-- or to make an appointment: write me at wjohnson@bucknell.edu (though I usually can't answer e-mail on weekends).

Religious holidays

The first exam falls at the tail end of (orthodox) Rosh Hashanna, and there may well be other conflicts I'm unaware of. If you need to reschedule an exam on these grounds, that's fine: just let me know in advance.