| 8/29/2025 1:32:29 AM |
| Changed Course |
| CATALOG INFORMATION
|
| Discipline and Nbr:
HUM 8 | Title:
COMPARATIVE MYTHOLOGY |
|
| Full Title:
Comparative Mythology |
| Last Reviewed:8/25/2025 |
| Units | Course Hours per Week | | Nbr of Weeks | Course Hours Total |
| Maximum | 3.00 | Lecture Scheduled | 3.00 | 17.5 max. | Lecture Scheduled | 52.50 |
| Minimum | 3.00 | Lab Scheduled | 0 | 6 min. | Lab Scheduled | 0 |
| | Contact DHR | 0 | | Contact DHR | 0 |
| | Contact Total | 3.00 | | Contact Total | 52.50 |
| |
| | Non-contact DHR | 0 | | Non-contact DHR Total | 0 |
| | Total Out of Class Hours: 105.00 | Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 | |
Title 5 Category:
AA Degree Applicable
Grading:
Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:
00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As:
Formerly:
HUMAN 8
Catalog Description:
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Students will investigate myths representing diverse global cultures; use scholarly theories and methods of interpretation; compare and contrast plot structures, themes, and character types within myths; analyze the creation of modern myths; and trace myth's relationship with language, history, politics, religion, and the arts.
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Recommended Preparation:
Course Eligibility for ENGL C1000 ( or ENGL 1A) OR Course Eligibility for EMLS 10 ( or ESL 10)
Limits on Enrollment:
Schedule of Classes Information
Description:
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Students will investigate myths representing diverse global cultures; use scholarly theories and methods of interpretation; compare and contrast plot structures, themes, and character types within myths; analyze the creation of modern myths; and trace myth's relationship with language, history, politics, religion, and the arts.
(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Course Eligibility for ENGL C1000 ( or ENGL 1A) OR Course Eligibility for EMLS 10 ( or ESL 10)
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
| Associate Degree: | Effective: | Fall 2025
| Inactive: | |
| Area: | E
L3
| Humanities
Arts and Humanities
|
| |
| CSU GE: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
| | C2 | Humanities | Fall 1987 | |
| |
| IGETC: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
| | 3B | Humanities | Fall 1981 | |
| |
| CSU Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 1981 | Inactive: | |
| |
| UC Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 1981 | Inactive: | |
| |
| C-ID: |
Certificate/Major Applicable:
Major Applicable Course
COURSE CONTENT
Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Analyze and critique a myth for its ideological content and values.
2. Trace and explain the evolution of a myth in its variations through time.
3. Identify and critique the mythic elements in contemporary political and religious discourse.
Objectives:
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At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Define "myth" and distinguish it from "fiction," "legend," and "folklore."
2. Apply several different approaches to the study of myth.
3. Compare and contrast the similarities and differences in myths of various cultural origins, including representative examples from at least three of the following cultural areas: Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, Latin America and Pacific Islands.
4. Identify and analyze patterns or themes reflected in myths, whatever their origins.
5. Place the myth in cultural context and establish interconnections with other art forms and cultures.
6. Analyze different versions of a myth and explain its evolutionary trajectory.
7. Explain the relationship of myth and ritual.
8. Explain how myth expresses and reflects humanity's relationship with the natural world.
Topics and Scope
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I. Introduction to Various Approaches to the Study of Mythology
A. Psychological or Jungian
B. Cultural/historical
C. Literary, including connections between myth, legend, folk tale, and fairy tale
D. Religious
II. Discussion and Analysis of Representative Myths and Mythic Themes Within Cultural Contexts from at Least Three of the Following Cultural Areas:
A. Europe
B. Africa
C. Asia
D. North America
E. Latin America
F. Pacific Island and other island cultures
III. Exploration of at Least Three Major Themes in Myth from the List Below:
A. Hero's journey
B. Death, descent to underworld, rebirth
C. Creation
D. Tricksters
E. Apocalyptic scenarios
F. Sex and gender
G. Social formation
H. Ecology and sustainability
I. Nature and culture
J. Other relevant themes
Assignments:
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1. Weekly reading assignments of between 20-50 pages
2. Essays (2-5)
3. Research paper (minimum 1000 words)
4. Exams, essay and/or objective format (2-5)
5. Quizzes (2-7)
6. Additional assignments as determined by the instructor may include
a. Oral presentations
b. Performances
c. Reports on interviews, museum visits, or field trips
d. Portfolios
Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
| Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing. | Writing
30 - 50% |
| Essays, research paper | |
| Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills. | Problem Solving
0 - 0% |
| None | |
| Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams. | Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0% |
| None | |
| Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams. | Exams
40 - 70% |
| Exams and quizzes | |
| Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories. | Other Category
0 - 20% |
| Classroom participation, additional assignments (if assigned) | |
Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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The World of Myth: An Anthology. 4th ed. Leeming, David. Oxford University Press. 2024.
Introduction to Mythology: Contemporary Approaches to Classical and World Mythology. 4th ed. Thury, Eva M. and Devinney, Margaret K. Oxford University Press. 2017. (classic).
Myths from Mesopotamia. Revised. Dalley, Stephanie (translator). Oxford University Press. 2009. (classic).
Popol Vuh: Sacred Book of the Maya: The Great Classic of Central American Spirituality. Christenson, Allen (translator). University of Oklahoma Press. 2007. (classic).
Homeric Hymns. Cashford, Jules (translator) and Richardson, Nicholas (editor, introduction). Penguin. 2003. (classic).
The Poetic Edda. Acker, Paul and Larrington, Carolyne (editors). Routledge. 2002. (classic).
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