Course Description

This course is designed for students who want to learn the important origin of western culture in Greek and Roman myths. While working on specific works all the way through the course, students will become familiar with the allusions that are derived from classical myths through the lectures and viewing artistic masterpieces. Students will get a general overview of the connections between the Greek and Roman myths. In addition, students will be encouraged to become actively involved in their literary comments and criticisms. Students’ thoughts and input are important in this course. They have to form ideas before reading a selection, identify key ideas as they read, write and finally, discuss and reflect critically on the contents introduced in the course.

Course Objectives

In this course, it is expected that students will 1. know the great gods and goddesses in Greek and Roman myths. 2. know the creation and the heroes in Greek and Roman myths. 3. become familiar with the stories, the allusions that are relevant to Greek and Roman myths 4. have a better understanding of western culture. 5. be able to employ the allusions and idioms related to classical myths 6. be able to interpret the literary works according to context with an in-depth understanding and critical awareness. 7. develop critical thinking and discussion skills through pre-reading, while-reading, post-reading activities and watching movies and videos.

Course  Contents

This course provides training in reading and learning the literary works originated from Greek and Roman myths. Emphasis is placed on the skills on the needs peculiar to scholarly pursuits for appreciating and evaluating literary works. Students will be given exposure to a range of selected readings. They will also be expected to participate actively by completing assignments, as well as by taking part in group discussions and oral presentations on specific issues and themes.

Required Textbook

 1. Dodd, B.A. (1991). Stories from Homer. Taipei: Bookman Books. 2. Fox, R. L. (2008). Travelling heroes: Greeks and their myths in the epic age of Homer. Allen Lane. 3. Graf, F. (1996). Greek mythology: An introduction. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press. 4. Green, M. (2005). Wonder tales from Greece. Taipei: Bookman Books. 5. Hamilton, E. (1999). Mythology. New York: Warner Books. 6. Lawall, S.N. (2005). The Norton Anthology of Western Literature. W W Norton & Company Inc. 7. Powell, B. (2004). Homer. Malden, Mass.: Blackwell. 8. Sophocles (1990). Antigone (Translated by Richard Emil Braun).Oxford: Oxford University Press. 9. Sophocles (2010). Oedipus the King. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. 10. William, M. (2006). Iliad and the Odyssey. Walker Books. 11. Zimmerman, J. E. (1996). Dictionary of classical mythology. Taipei: Bookman Books.

Grading