Myth in Human Culture

Dr. Robert Sutton	Office: S511-B
HUM 130	Phone: 362-7133
Fall 2007 E-Mail: robertcsutton@yahoo.com	Office Hrs: MW 9-10:00: 3-3:30 TTH 2-3:00, by appointment
Home Page: http://cfcc.edu/faculty/rsutton/	Mail S202

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course provides an in-depth study of myths and legends.  Topics include the varied sources of myths and their influence on the individual and society within diverse cultural contexts.  Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate a general familiarity with myths and a broad-based understanding of the influence of myths and legends on modern culture. This course has been approved to satisfy the comprehensive Articulation Agreement general education core requirement in humanities/fine arts.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, a student should:

• Be acquainted with some major theories of myth interpretation (e.g., myth in ritualism, structuralism, functionalism, feminist, psychoanalytic, etc.)

• Be able to understand myths of various cultures by reading primary literature

• Have broad perspective on the interaction of myth, religion, and culture
• Have an enhanced understanding of the use of metaphor and symbol
• Be aware of the presence of myth in contemporary society and as a shaper of their lives.

GENERAL EDUCATION COMPETENCIES:

Written Communication	Understanding Social Structure
Oral Communication	Problem Solving
Critical Thinking	Understanding Scientific Concepts & Application
Basic Computer Usage

REQUIRED TEXT:

Little, C. Scott, ed. Mythology: The Illustrated Anthology of World Myth and Storytelling, San Diego, CA:  Thunder Bay Press, 2002.

Thury, Eva M and Devinney, Margaret K. Introduction to Mythology:  Contemporary Approaches to Classical and World Myths, New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2005.

REQUIREMENTS: This course is divided into three sections:

Introduction to Myth and Myths of Creation and Destruction. (7 weeks)

Heroes and Tricksters. (3 weeks)

Ritual and Myth and Myth in Folktales and Literature. (6 weeks)

            For a more detailed outline, please consult the course outline.

After each reading a 1-2 page paper will be due.  These papers combined will count as 1/3 of the course grade.  In addition, after section 1 and 3 a 3-4 page paper will be required.  Detailed instructions for these assignments will be given as their due dates approach.  Each paper will count 1/3 of your final grade.  There will be no late papers accepted. 

The class format will be lecture-discussion.

CAPE FEAR ATTENDANCE POLICY: CFCC policy requires 80% attendance. Thus, a grade of "F" is issued on the 10th hour of absence, no exceptions. It is your responsibility to keep track of your absences.  To encourage attendance I will award 4 points to your final grade now, deduct a point for every class that you are absent.

As a matter of respect for your colleagues, and me you are expected to be in class on time.  Roll will be taken at the beginning of class and if you are not here to respond, you will be marked absent.

GRADING: School wide grade scale is as follows:

           A=100-92(4), B=91-84(3), C=83-76(2), D=75-68(1), F=67(0), WP, WF, I.

No withdrawals will be granted without a face to face consultation with the instructors and it is CFCC policy that, "Students who withdraw after the twelfth week of classes must obtain permission in writing from the course instructor and the Dean of Student Development. Permission will be granted for extenuating circumstances only."

PLAGIARISM STATEMENT: Plagiarism is using as your own the words or ideas of another, whether written or oral.  When you use material from a source, you must quote or paraphrase accurately and properly cite the information.  Failure to do so is considered plagiarism.  Examples of plagiarism include word-for-word copying without correctly indicating that you are quoting, inaccurate quoting and paraphrasing and incomplete or missing documentation.  Purchasing a paper or copying someone else's work and submitting it as your own is also plagiarism.  Any misrepresentation of the source in your writing or speaking would constitute a form of plagiarism. Whether intentional or unintentional, plagiarism is not acceptable.  The Humanities and Fine Arts Department adheres to the CFCC policy on cheating as stated in the Catalog and Student Handbook.

CONTINGENCY PLAN:  If there is an emergency and the instructor or an appropriate substitute does not meet with the class, wait fifteen minutes.  If no instructor shows, the class should sign a roll sheet and designate someone to take it to the Humanities/Fine Arts Department Secretary or Chair. In the event of faculty absences, unless an assignment is given, it is expected that students will use the time studying in the library.

ACCOMMODATION OF SPECIAL NEEDS: Any student who requests classroom accommodations because of a disability must present documentation to verify his/her disability.  This documentation must be furnished to the Disabilities Service Coordinator.  On a confidential basis, the student, disabilities services and the instructor will determine the appropriate accommodations following documentation.  These accommodations will be provided in a manner that is consistent with the objectives, outcomes, and academic standards of the course. Absences must not exceed class attendance policy.

CAMPUS CRUISER:  Every student has an official CFCC-provided email account that is to be used for all email correspondence with your instructors and with the CFCC staff.  Some information (such as TRAC registration info) from CFCC will ONLY be emailed to this address, and not sent through postal mail as in the past, so it is very important that you check this account periodically.  To access this account, please visit the CFCC website www.cfcc.edu and click on the CampusCruiser link at the very top of the page, then follow the directions on the CampusCruiser website to log in.  You will use your log in ID as part of your email address (yourloginID@email.cfcc.edu).  This email account is provided to you as long as you are enrolled in classes (summer will not count), and may be used for personal email as well as academic email.

Disclaimer on First-Day Handouts:  The instructor reserves the right, acting within the policies and procedures of Cape Fear Community College, to make changes in course content or instructional techniques without notice or obligations.

CREDITS, HOURS, PREREQUISITES, COREQUISITES:

Semester Hours Credit: 3
Course hours per week: 3
Prerequisites: Proficiency in reading (minimum ASSET 41

or CPT 80 on Reading OR a grade of “C” or better in ENG 095 or RED 090).
Corequisites: None:

Go to Student Guide to Philosophy or to Course Guide.

Updated 04/12/07