CF3111/CLAS 2311 Myth and Thought in the Ancient World ARHS1351 Visual Cultures Myth and Thought in the Ancient World Humans naturally tell stories to explain the world in both its natural and man-made aspects. Often these stories are communicated via the word, written or spoken. But just as often artists present legends, myths, and sacred history in visual form. This class will focus on Greek and Roman myths including the Trojan War, the Foundation of Rome, and the Heroic Journeys of Hercules, Theseus, and Jason. We will explore the interaction between text and image, as well as the ways in which the visual representation of myth impacted daily life and religious experience in places as varied as a Pompeian dining room and the Roman Forum. Much of the course content will be derived from scenes on objects we will visit in Italian museums and sites that form part of the program itinerary. Instructor Robert E. Vander Poppen Associate Professor of Classical Art and Archaeology Department of Art and Art History, Rollins College 331 934-4442 rvanderpeppe@mail.smu.edu Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of the course students will demonstrate proficiency in the following areas: Develop proficiency in the use of discipline specific vocabulary to read and discuss images and literary works. Command a working knowledge of Classical Mythology and its social and cultural uses. Understand the way that issues of genre and medium impact the choices of authors and artists of ancient myths.
General Education Requirement Fulfillment This course meets the following curricular requirements: H1, CA1, KNW Historical Contexts 1 Students will be able to identify key events, actors, and evidence within a defined historical period. Students will be able to summarize major changes that took place within a defined historical period. Culture and Aesthetics 1 Students will be able to identify and/or employ the methods, techniques, or languages of a particular art form, creative endeavor, innovation, or craft and describe how those inform the creation, performance or analysis of creative work. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of concepts fundamental to creativity through explanation, analysis, performance, or creation. Ways of Knowing Students will be able to demonstrate a knowledge of more than one disciplinary practice. Students will be able to explain how bringing more than one practice to an examination of the course topic contributes to knowing about that topic. Textbooks* Buxton, R. 2004. The Complete World of Greek Mythology. New York: Thames & Hudson. Woodford, S. 2002. Images of Myth in Classical Antiquity. Cambridge: Cambridge University *Both textbooks are available through Amazon.com. Amazon often has a ton of cheap used copies that may be more economical than what you will find elsewhere.
Grading Pass/Fail is not allowed. Honors credit can be petitioned in advance. Students will be expected to complete the reading listed on the syllabus before the corresponding discussion. Each class period will feature general readings for the class and supplementary readings that individual students will be asked to present to the group and use to lead the discussion. Discussion is an opportunity to practice the key learning outcomes of presenting and defending a position orally, as well as a laboratory for experimentation with ideas. Grades will be determined on the basis of participation in class discussions, a midterm, a series of short papers and a final exam. All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date listed on the syllabus. Late assignments will not be accepted unless an extension is arranged with the instructor ahead of time. I rarely deny an extension to students who ask for one due to legitimate circumstances that interfere with the ability to complete an assignment. 5% Quiz 20% Attendance and Participation 20% Midterm Exam 20% Practical Exercises 15% Papers 20% Final Exam Attendance Policy In the high intensity environment of a Study Abroad program where each class session is vitally important, regular attendance is mandatory. Any student missing more than one (1) class period will not pass the class. Academic Honesty and Misconduct You are bound by the Honor Code and the SMU Student Code of Conduct. For complete details, see: http://www.smu.edu/studentlife/pcl_01_toc.asp Disability Accommodations Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first be registered with Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS) to verify the disability and to establish eligibility for accommodations. Students may call 214-768-1470 or visit http://www.smu.edu/alec/dass to begin the process. Once registered, students should then schedule an appointment with the professor to make appropriate arrangements. Religious Observance Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their professors in writing at the beginning of the semester, and should discuss with them, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence. (See University Policy No. 1.9.)
Pre-Arrival May 25 Introduction to the Gods and Goddesses of the Greek and Roman World Buxton, R. 2004. The Greek Gods and Goddesses. In The Complete World of Greek Mythology, 66-87. New York: Thames & Hudson. Kalinski, K. 2013. Survival and Revival. In Greek Myth and Western Art: The Presence of the Past, 26-93. Cambridge, Cambridge University Woodford, S. 2002. Making Myths Recognizable. In Images of Myth in Classical Antiquity, 15-27. Cambridge: Cambridge University Watch Blackboard Introductory Video on Gods, Goddesses and Chronology Listen to Origins of Rome Podcast (BB) BLACKBOARD QUIZ DUE: IDENTIFICATION AND ICONOGRAPHY OF GREEK AND ROMAN GODS, CHRONOLOGY May 29 May 30 May 31 June 1 Course Intro: What is a Myth and How do We Read It? (BB) Clark, M. 2012. The Knife Did It. In Exploring Greek Myth, 1-14. West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. Pompeii Field Trip I: Naples Archaeological Museum and Pompeii Buried in the Shadow of Vesuvius Podcast Pompeii to Rome: Field Trip II Myth and Roman Daily Life: The Macellum and the House of the Menander (BB) Clarke, J. 1991. Space and Ritual in Domus, Villa, and Insula, In The Houses of Roman Italy, 1-29. Berkeley: University of California (BB) Barringer, J. 1994. The Mythological Paintings in the Pompeii Macellum. Classical Antiquity 13(2): 149-166. Rome: Sport and Spectacle Podcast (On Bus from Pompeii to Rome) Ancient Rome Field Trip II Aeneas, Romulus and Remus, and the Foundation of Rome Review Origins of Rome Podcast (BB) Livy, Ab Urbe Condita 1 (BB) Virgil, Aeneid 2, 8 Practical Exercise #1: The Origins of Rome Google Maps Project
June 2 (2:00-3:15) Ancient Interactions with Myths: Public and Private Review (BB) Junker, K. 2012. Types of Monument and Field of Function. In Interpreting Images of Greek Myths, 96-119. Cambridge: Cambridge University (3:30-4:30) Form, Space, and Genre in Representing Myths Woodford, S. 2002. Creating Compositions. In Images of Myth in Classical Antiquity, 86-102. Cambridge: Cambridge University Practical Exercise #2: Fitting Myth into Vases and Architecture June 3 (9:00-10:15) Text vs. Image, and Illustration vs. Representation Woodford, S. 2002. Introduction: Myths and Images. In Images of Myth in Classical Antiquity, 1-27. Cambridge: Cambridge University Practical Exercise #3: Making the Case for the White Rabbit (10:30-11:30) Greek and Roman Cosmology: The Structure of the Universe Buxton, R. 2004. The Greek Gods and Goddesses. In The Complete World of Greek Mythology, 42-53. New York: Thames & Hudson. (BB) Homer, Iliad 18.533-705 Practical Exercise #4: The Shield of Achilles June 5 (4:00-5:00) Field Trip: Etruscan Necropolis of the Crocefisso del Tufo June 6 (2:00-4:30) Finding the Gods in Orvieto: Claudio Faina Museum Review: Buxton, R. 2004. The Greek Gods and Goddesses. In The Complete World of Greek Mythology, 66-87. New York: Thames & Hudson. Review: Greek Gods, Goddesses, and Chronology Videos Practical Exercise #5: Identifying the gods
June 7 (9:00-10:15) Transferring Words into Images: Synoptic Representation vs. the Snapshot Technique Woodford, S. 2002. Transferring Words into Images. In Images of Myth in Classical Antiquity, 28-56. Cambridge: Cambridge University Practical Exercise #6: Putting Words into an Image (10:30-11:30) Building Images for the Iconographically Literate Woodford, S. 2002. Building Images. In Images of Myth in Classical Antiquity, 57-85. Cambridge: Cambridge University June 8 Siena: Field Trip The Legacy of Rome (BB) Nevola, F. 2008. Humanists, Antiquarians, and the Built Fabric. In Siena: Constructing the Renaissance City. New Haven: Yale University (Optional) (BB) Valerius Maximus (Selections on the Palazzo Civico) Presentation #2: Roman Mythological Paintings as Civic Exempla June 9 (9:00-10:00) Defining the Hero: Perseus and the Gorgon Buxton, R. 2004. Perseus. In The Complete World of Greek Mythology, 102-106. New York: Thames & Hudson. (BB) Carpenter, T.H. 1991. Perseus and Bellerophon. Art and Myth in Ancient Greece, 103-117. New York: Thames and Hudson. (10:15-11:30) Herakles: A Hero for all Greece and Rome Buxton, R. 2004. Herakles. In The Complete World of Greek Mythology, 114-124. New York: Thames & Hudson. Boardman Optional Add Podcast on Sixth and 5 th Century Greece
June 10 (9:00-10:15) Myth and Politics: Theseus and the Dawn of Democracy in Athens Buxton, R. 2004. Theseus and the Heroic Athenian Past. In The Complete World of Greek Mythology, 124-130. New York: Thames & Hudson. Woodford, S. 2002. History in Myth and Art. In Images of Myths in Classical Antiquity, 141-154. Cambridge: Cambridge University Paper #1 Myth and Contemporary Politicians June 13 (3:00-5:00) Midterm Exam June 14 (9:00-10:15) Introduction to the Trojan War Buxton, R. 2004. The Trojan War. In The Complete World of Greek Mythology, 130-148. New York: Thames & Hudson. (10:30-11:30) Greek Myth and the Symposium June 16 (2:00-3:15) The Francoise Vase: Microcosm of Myth (BB) Boardman, J. 1974. Kleitias, Saiana Cup Painters, and Others. In Athenian Black Figure Vases, 14-31. New York: Thames and Hudson. (Review) Practical Exercise #10: Myth and the Greek Wine Ceremony (3:30-5:00) The Trojan War: Initial Causes (BB) Euripides, Iphigenia at Aulis In Class Debate Female Virtue in a Male World June 17 June 20 Florence: Field Trip: Galleria degli Uffizi and Piazza della Signoria Medici Myths: La Primavera and David vs. Goliath Paper #2 Venice Field Trip I (BB) Listen to Origins of Venice Podcast (BB) Sweeney, N.M. 2014. Foundation Myths in Ancient Societies: Dialogues and Discourses. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania (Selections)
June 21 Venice Field Trip II (3:00-5:30) A Comparative Look at City Origins: Rome, Siena, and Venice Practical Exercise #12: Origin Stories (Rome, Siena, Venice) June 23 (2:00-3:15) The Trojan War: The Returns (BB) Homer, Odyssey 9, 10, 12 Practical Exercise #8: The Adventures of Odysseus (3:30-5:00) Hollywood and Greek Myth In Class Screening of O Brother, Where Art Thou? Practical Exercise #9: Version Comparison Response June 24 (9:30-10:45) Rival Images: The Last Generation of the Roman Republic (BB) Zanker, P. 1988. Rival Images. In The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan (11:00-12:00) The Trojan War: Aeneas Legacy and the City of Rome (BB) Listen to Origins of Augustan Rome Podcast (BB) Zanker, P. 1988. Mythical Foundations of the New Rome. In The Power of Images in the Age of Augustus, 167-238. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Practical Exercise #13: Analyzing Augustan Propaganda June 27 (2:00-3:15) Myth in Imperial Rome: The Bath TBA 3:30: 4:30 Myth in Imperial Rome: Household Myth Gazda, E. 1991. Roman Art in the Private Sphere: New Perspectives on the Architecture and Décor of the Domus, Villa, and Insula. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press (Selections).
June 29 (2:00-3:15) Myth and the World of the Dead I: The Underworld (BB) Virgil, Aeneid 6 Practical Exercise #14: Constructing the World of the Dead (3:30-4:30) Myth and Burial: Roman Sarcophagi Zanker, P. and Ewald, B. 2012. Living with Myths: The Imagery of Roman Sarcophagi. Oxford: Oxford University (Selections) Practical Exercise #15: Designing Your Own Sarcophagus June 30 Review (2:00-3:00pm) July 1 July 2 CF Final Exam (1:00-3:00) St Peter s / Vatican Museum Field Trip Raphael and Leo X: The Fire in the Borgho Practical Exercise #16: Papal Politics and Classical Mythology