ELL023 MythologyIstinye UniversityDegree Programs English Language and Literature (English)General Information For StudentsDiploma SupplementErasmus Policy StatementNational Qualifications
English Language and Literature (English)

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Bachelor TR-NQF-HE: Level 6 QF-EHEA: First Cycle EQF-LLL: Level 6

Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Code: ELL023
Course Name: Mythology
Semester: Fall
Course Credits:
ECTS
5
Language of instruction: English
Course Condition:
Does the Course Require Work Experience?: No
Type of course: Departmental Elective
Course Level:
Bachelor TR-NQF-HE:6. Master`s Degree QF-EHEA:First Cycle EQF-LLL:6. Master`s Degree
Mode of Delivery: Face to face
Course Coordinator: Dr. Öğr. Üy. HATİCE YURTTAŞ
Course Lecturer(s):
Course Assistants:

Course Objective and Content

Course Objectives: This course aims to develop students’ understanding of the presentation, content, context and interpretation of some of the major Greek and Roman myths. It will
1. offer context for Greek and Roman myths by introducing students to the history and culture of the ancient world
2. familiarize students with the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses, monsters and magical beasts
3. familiarize students with recurring themes in mythology
4. introduce students to Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey
5. introduce students to Greek tragedies
6. introduce students to Roman retellings of Greek myths
7. offer students the opportunity to develop their skills of observation, critical thinking and analysis in relation to written texts
8. help students develop their writing skills
Course Content: Basic knowledge of ancient Greek and Roman mythology, detailed information about their stories and characters, mythology and literature.

Learning Outcomes

The students who have succeeded in this course;
1) To be able to recognize the basic elements of Ancient Greek and Roman mythology.
2) To be able to read literary works in mythological framework.
3) To be able to recognize important events, characters and stories of ancient Greek and Roman mythology.
4) To be able to analyze mythological concepts by using new psychological and sociological theories.
5) To be able to sort the authors (Homer, Sophocles, Aristophanes etc.) and their works together with their characteristics.

Course Flow Plan

Week Subject Related Preparation
1) Introduction What is “myth”? Definition and features. Myth transmission. Introduction to the Greek gods and goddesses.
2) Background and context An overview of the art and history of the Ancient Aegean, from the Bronze Age to the late Hellenistic period, including the Geometric, Archaic, Early Classical, High Classical, Late Classical, Hellenistic and Late Hellenistic periods.
3) 1. Theories of Myth from ancient and “modern” times 2. Becoming a Hero: Odyssey I We begin Homer’s Odyssey. This core text exhibits the complex interactions of gods and provides a laboratory where we can test different theoretical approaches to myth. This week we focus on the youth Telemachus as he comes of age and his father Odysseus as he journeys homeward after the Trojan War. Readings: Homer, Odyssey, books 1-8
4) (Mis)Adventures: Odyssey II We follow Odysseus, “man of twists and turns,” over sea and land. The hero’s journey is fraught with perils, temptations and tests of will that summon all his fortitude and cunning. This part of the Odyssey features monsters, sorceresses and other magical creatures and we follow Odysseus to the Underworld, where he meets departed comrades and relatives. Readings: Homer, Odyssey, books 9-16
5) Identity and Signs: Odyssey III As he approaches Ithaca, a disguised Odysseus needs all his resources to regain his kingdom and his place within his family. Homer’s theme now is recognition and reunion as Odysseus carefully begins to reveal his identity to various members of his household—his servants, his dog, his son, and finally, his wife Penelope—while he schemes against those who have usurped him. Readings: Homer, Odyssey, books 17-24
6) Rage: Iliad I Readings: Homer, Iliad, books 3, 6, 9.
7) Individual meetings
8) Losses: Iliad II Short paper due. Readings: Homer, Iliad, books 11, 16 – 18.
9) The Tide Turns: Iliad III Readings: Homer, Iliad, books 19 – 22, 24
10) Justice and Retribution What is a just action, and what is an unjust one? Who decides? One of the most famous stories of retribution in the ancient world, told in three parts, Aeschylus’ Oresteia trilogy tells the story of Agamemnon’s return home from the Trojan War and his betrayal by those closest to him. This family’s cycle of revenge raises transcendent questions of justice and competing loyalties. Readings: Aeschylus, Oresteia Trilogy: Agamemnon and Eumenides
11) A Lack of Recognition Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex is famous tragedies that concern guilt and identity. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is confident that he can escape an unthinkable fate foretold by an oracle; we watch as he fulfills the very prophecy he is resisting. Readings: Sophocles, Oedipus Rex
12) The Roman Hero Remade Many poets tried to rewrite Homer for their own times. In his epic poem the Aeneid, the Roman poet Virgil reconstitutes a culture that both identifies with and defines itself against previous myths. Readings: Virgil, Aeneid, books 1- 6
13) Conclusion
14) Finals

Sources

Course Notes / Textbooks: Aeschylus. The Oresteia. Translation by Robert Fagles.
Homer. The Iliad. Translation by Robert Fagles.
Homer. The Odyssey. Translation by Robert Fagles.
Virgil. The Aeneid. Translation by Robert Fagles.
References: Aeschylus. The Oresteia. Translation by Robert Fagles.
Homer. The Iliad. Translation by Robert Fagles.
Homer. The Odyssey. Translation by Robert Fagles.
Virgil. The Aeneid. Translation by Robert Fagles.

Course - Program Learning Outcome Relationship

Course Learning Outcomes

1

2

3

4

5

Program Outcomes
1) Uses academic English language skills effectively.
2) Knows the historical and cultural foundations of English Language and its developmental periods in detail. 1 2 1 1
3) Knows the periods of English Literature in detail with its cultural and historical features. 1 2 1 1
4) Evaluates the basic literary genres such as fiction (novel, story), theater and poetry according to their characteristics. 2 2 2 2 2
5) Can apply various analytical concepts and tools in literary theory to literary examples. 3 3 3 3 3
6) Comprehends the modern language and linguistic theories in a comprehensive way.
7) Can evaluate the important literary figures and works in American and world literature together with their cultural and historical features. 3 3 3 3 3
8) Evaluates the history of world civilization from the cultural and historical perspective. 1 1 1 1 1
9) To be able to translate English to Turkish and Turkish to English in different text types.
10) Apply contemporary teaching methods and techniques related to teaching English as a foreign language.
11) Develops course materials related to teaching English as a foreign language.
12) Uses a second foreign language at B1 General Level at least according to the European Language Portfolio criterion.
13) Uses information and communication technologies together with computer software at the basic level of European Computer Driving License.
14) Applies basic research methods and theories of social sciences.
15) Takes responsibilities by adopting fundamental universal values and developing a prudent, respectful, open to communication and learning attitude towards different language, race, gender, religion and social class groups.

Course - Learning Outcome Relationship

No Effect 1 Lowest 2 Average 3 Highest
       
Program Outcomes Level of Contribution
1) Uses academic English language skills effectively. 2
2) Knows the historical and cultural foundations of English Language and its developmental periods in detail. 1
3) Knows the periods of English Literature in detail with its cultural and historical features. 1
4) Evaluates the basic literary genres such as fiction (novel, story), theater and poetry according to their characteristics. 3
5) Can apply various analytical concepts and tools in literary theory to literary examples. 3
6) Comprehends the modern language and linguistic theories in a comprehensive way.
7) Can evaluate the important literary figures and works in American and world literature together with their cultural and historical features. 2
8) Evaluates the history of world civilization from the cultural and historical perspective. 1
9) To be able to translate English to Turkish and Turkish to English in different text types.
10) Apply contemporary teaching methods and techniques related to teaching English as a foreign language.
11) Develops course materials related to teaching English as a foreign language.
12) Uses a second foreign language at B1 General Level at least according to the European Language Portfolio criterion.
13) Uses information and communication technologies together with computer software at the basic level of European Computer Driving License.
14) Applies basic research methods and theories of social sciences.
15) Takes responsibilities by adopting fundamental universal values and developing a prudent, respectful, open to communication and learning attitude towards different language, race, gender, religion and social class groups.

Assessment & Grading

Semester Requirements Number of Activities Level of Contribution
Quizzes 1 % 30
Homework Assignments 1 % 10
Midterms 1 % 30
Final 1 % 30
total % 100
PERCENTAGE OF SEMESTER WORK % 70
PERCENTAGE OF FINAL WORK % 30
total % 100

Workload and ECTS Credit Calculation

Activities Number of Activities Workload
Course Hours 14 42
Study Hours Out of Class 16 73
Homework Assignments 1 6
Midterms 1 2
Final 1 2
Total Workload 125