Topic outline

  • Course Introduction

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    Myths are humanity’s earliest imaginative attempts to explain the universe, its creation, and its working.  The study of the mythology of a particular culture reveals the way of life and thought of that culture. During this course we will explore the mythologies of several cultures as we look for common threads that help us to understand that all humans have similar worries, hopes, and questions, regardless of when and where they live(d). We will learn that the similarities show us just how connected the human race is, the differences will help us to see the unique qualities of the cultures we study, and we'll find that, surprisingly, myths have more social significance and impact on our modern societies than we could have imagined!

  • Unit 3: Gods as Teachers and Losing Innocence

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    Overview: In this unit, we'll focus on the skills and lessons taught to the humans by their creators and the events that take place which cause humans to fall from innocence into knowledge, the growing up process that is a natural part of human existence.

    Unit Calendar: 11 class periods + additional project work time

    Standards:
    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.1 Reading Standard: Key Ideas.  Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.
    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.2 Reading Standards: Key Ideas. Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.
    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.4 Reading Standard: Craft.  Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including multiple meanings.
    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.1 Writing Standards:  Text types.  Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of topics or texts using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.6 Writing Standards: Production.   Use technology, including the internet, to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to ongoing feedback.
    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1 Speaking and Listening: Comprehension/Collaboration. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions with diverse partners. 
    CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.4 Speaking and Listening: Presentation of Knowledge.  Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning.  

    Essential Questions:
    1.) What was the purpose of telling particular god-teacher or loss of innocence stories? What was the intention for the audience?
    2.) Which common elements from the notes are present in each story? 
    3.) What can we tell about particular societies from the elements/details present in their stories?
    4.) What are the implications of finding commonalities in a variety of god-teacher/loss of innocence stories? How do these ancient stories relate to modern day explanatory or loss of innocence stories?