Fall 2002

This information effective for Fall 2002.
Check with instructor the first day of class for any changes.

History of Consciousness

[HISC-080E]

80E. Myth and Religion

Fall 2002
TTh 8:00–9:45
Instructor: Gary Lease

Course Description

A study of the nature of religion and myth as well as their interrelationship: the beginnings and functions of myth, its major themes in various cultures, its relationship to sacrifice and ritual, and its role in selected religions and cultures throughout the world.

Required Texts:

Class Reader, containing key source documents to accompany the lectures (available in the campus books store)

Recommended Text:

Jonathan Z. Smith: Imagining Religion: From Babylon to Jonestown (Chicago: 1988, paperback).

Recommended Reading:

William Doty: Mythography: The Study of Myth and Ritual (1986)
Mircea Eliade: Myth & Reality (1963)
James Frazer: The Golden Bough (1922)
Gerald Larue: Ancient Myth and Modern Life (1988)

Weekly Schedule

1st week: Introduction: Nature of Myth & Religion
Required: Syllabus
Film: The Magician (by Ingmar Bergman, 1959 - 101 mins)

2nd week: Religion & Myth: Functions
Recommended: Smith, chap 2 (magic/comparison), chap 4 (bare facts of ritual)
Mythic Function: Creation or Cosmogony
Required: Egyptian creation myths (Reader)

3rd week: Mythic Function: World or cosmology
Required: Jewish creation myths (Reader)
Recommended: Smith, chaps 1, 3 (early Judaism, canon)
Film: Medea (by Paolo Pasolini with Maria Callas, 1970 - 100 mins)
Required: Medea/Jason (Reader)

4th week: Mythic Function: Nature or fertility
Recommended: Smith, chap 6 (cargo of yams)
Mythic Function: Society or authority (rule/order)
Required: Mystery Myth (Reader)

5th week: Film: Simon of the Desert (by Luis Bunel, 1965 - 45 mins)
Required: Ascetic Myth (Reader)
Mythic Function: Future or salvation

6th week: Midterm Examination
Myth Building: Christianity
Required: Christian Passion/Birth/Resurrection myths (Reader)

7th week: Myth Building: Mormonism
Required: American Myth (Reader)
Film: Triumph of the Will (by Leni Riefenstahl, 1934 - 107 mins)

8th week: Myth Building: National Socialism
Required: Political Myth (Reader)
Myth Building: Unification Church, Rastafarianism, Fringe Cults
Required: New Myth (Reader)

9th week: Film: From Noon to Three (Charles Bronson, 1976 - 99 mins)
Myth Destruction
Recommended: Smith, chap 7 (Devil in Mr. Jones)

10th week: Film: In the Name of God (A. Patwardha, 1991 - 60 mins)
Role and Future of Myth
Required: Theoretical (Reader)
Recommended: Smith, chap. 5 (Myth & History)

11th week: Final Examination

Examinations and Evaluations:

Evaluations will be based on:

1. a midterm examination consisting of an in-class survey of the readings and classroom discussions;
   
2. a two-part final examination consisting of (1) a Take-Home Essay selected from a series of questions made available at least two weeks before the end of the course; and (2) an in-class survey of readings and films;
   
3. discussion and performance in class and in section.

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