AN INTRODUCTION TO MYTH OVERVIEW An Introduction to Myth is a one-semester Language Arts elective course for eleventh and twelfth grade

students with average and above reading skills, and meets requirements for one Language Arts credit. The course examines the nature of myths, *some aspects of familiar myth systems, and the importance of myth in history as well as in contemporary society. The course addresses Language Arts goals A, B, C, D, E, and G. Prerequisite: 11th or 12th grade standing.

*A myth is a dramatic story widely known by the people of a society and often repeated. The stories often involve extraordinary beings or creatures with superhuman powers. The stories usually confirm the institutions, beliefs and customs of the society that tells them or attempt to explain how something began or some other mystery of the universe. (Ralph Patai and Robert Graves, Hebrew Myths) Adopted by the Renton School Board June 25, 1981

AN INTRODUCTION TO MYTH MAJOR COURSE GOALS 1. 2. 3. To explain the origin and need for myths universally. To introduce and/or review some of the major characters and stories from mythology. To become aware of how successive societies have used mythology and how the modern age continues to construct myths. 4. To investigate the universal similarities of myths.

AN INTRODUCTION TO MYTH SCOPE

I. II. Major myth collections-stories and characters Major mythical (archetypal) themes found in literature The list should be considered informative, rather than restrictive. Also, some themes may be handled collectively as a class; others may serve as independent projects A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. L. M. III. IV. The hero's quest for his rightful kingdom The fall from innocence Fertility; cycles of nature; the human year The paradox of human duality (good-evil; love-hate; emotion-reason; etc.) The creation and the golden age World cataclysms or universal annihilation The God-Teacher Metamorphosis The reach beyond the limits of the finite and mortal world Fulfilling a destiny (the quest to do something that a person must do, whether he wants to or not) The failed quest The romance hero (the larger-than-life hero's journey and battle) The quest for identity ("Who am I?")

The universality of myths A. B. Lateral: One myth traced through several myth systems (creation; the flood, etc.) Horizontal: One archetypal theme seen through myths of different time periods

V. VI.

Modern American mythology A. B. The mythology of the American West The American Mono-myth 1. A community living at peace is threatened by evil 2. Normal institutions fail to combat the evil 3. A selfless superhero emerges and restores peace and defeats evil 4. The superhero then fades back into obscurity Mythology of advertising and the television set

C.

AN INTRODUCTION TO MYTH OBJECTIVES

The intent of instruction is that students will be able to: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. discover that myths deal with truths of the mind, of our inner selves, even while they might be inaccurate as history or science. (1) identify the primary personalities of classical and Norse mythology. (2) know the primary stories of several myth collections.(2) identify major mythical (archetypal) themes in literature, film and television. (3) demonstrate how the concept of hero has evolved. (3) identify the influence of content and characters of mythology on literature and other art forms and how it enriches the art form. (3) recognize and use allusions and word derivations from characters, situations, and places of mythology. (3) understand the omnipresence of myth and the vitality of myth today. trace the archetypal quest by citing similarities in two myths of different time periods (e.g. Odysseus and Sir Gawain or Arthur or Herlihy's Midnight Cowboy). (4) infer the values of a culture through evidence from its mythology. (3) Write a narrative, dialogue, scenario, or poem which contains an element or elements of archetypal characters, images, or patterns, given a minimal outline from a scene or event from contemporary life. (1)

10. 11.

AN INTRODUCTION TO MYTH INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Basic Materials Mythology, Edith Hamilton; New American Library (Mentor), 1969 Introduction to Myth, Peter R. Stillman; Hayden Book Company, Inc., 1977

Supplementary Materials
Myth, Mind and Moment, Edmund J. Farrell, et al.; Scott Foresman and Company, 1976 Myth and Meaning, James G. Head and Linda MacLea; McDougal, Littell and Company, 1976 Man, the Myth-Maker, W.T. Jewkes and Northrop Frye; Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 1973 The Perilous Jorney, W.T. Jewkes and Northrop Frye; Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc., 1973 The American West on Film: Myth and Reality, Richard A. Maynard; Hayden Book Company, Inc., 1974 The Myth of the Fall: Literature of Innocence and Experience, F. Parvin; Sharpless Hayden Book Company, Inc. 1974 Symbol and Myth in Modern Literature, F. Parvin Sharpless; Hayden Book Company, Inc., 1976 Myths and Legends:Mirrors of Mankind (sound slide set), Center for the Humanities Mythology Today, Jeffrey Schrank (sound filmstrips); The Learning Seed Company, 1979

AN INTRODUCTION TO MYTH EVALUATION

Evaluation will measure growth in basic knowledge, application of techniques and critical thinking as listed in the objectives. Means of evaluation may include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Participation in large group and small group discussion Homework assignments Quizzes on assigned reading Examinations Written reports on selected readings Projects reflecting readings.