ENGL 2055 - Mythology

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3 Lab 0
Course Description: This college literature course intended for all students examines mythology as concept and literary genre, analyzes and explores works of mythology from diverse cultures and global locations, and relates myths to modern cultures and perennial questions about origins, meaning, and morality.
MnTC Goals
6 Humanities/Fine Arts, 8 Global Perspective

Prerequisite(s): Course placement into college-level English and Reading OR completion of ENGL 0950  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of RDNG 0940  with a grade of C or higher and qualifying English Placement Exam OR completion of RDNG 0950  with a grade of C or higher and ENGL 0090  with a grade of C or higher OR completion of ESOL 0051  with a grade of C or higher and ESOL 0052  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: ENGL 1020   with a grade of C or higher OR ENGL 1021  with a grade of C or higher.

Major Content

1. Definitions of mythology and its relationships to other genres like legends, fairy tales, folklore, popular culture, and fine arts/literature  

2. Power dynamics of affixing the label “Myth” to a text 

3.  Types of mythology such as creation or destruction stories, hero and trickster tales, or rituals 

4. Literary analysis of myths

5. Comparison of individual and communal values conveyed by myths from diverse cultures 

6. World mythology’s influence on contemporary art, ideas, or cultural identities 

7. World mythology’s contributions to discussions of humanity’s place and purpose  

1. elucidate what qualifies as myth, who decides, and what messages the label communicates about belief, authenticity, and cultural status.

2. illustrate the scope and variety of world mythologies.

3. analyze literary elements of myths. 

4. respond critically to myths as expressions of individual and communal values within an historical context. 

5. identify political and cultural elements of myths that influence societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions. 

6. acknowledge cultural, social, religious, or linguistic differences between mythological readings.  

7. articulate an informed personal reaction to works in mythology. 

8. discern how mythological texts address the roles and responsibilities world citizens share for a common global future. 

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