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Fall 2003
This information effective for Fall 2003. Check with instructor the first day of class for any changes.
History of Consciousness
[HISC-080E]
80E. Myth and Religion
TTh
8:00–9:45 a.m., Oakes 105
Instructor: Gary Lease
Preliminary Draft
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 and films
Recommended Texts:
- Jonathan
Z. Smith: Imagining Religion (1988)
- William
Doty: Mythography (1986)
- Mircea
Eliade: Myth & Reality (1963)
- James Frazer: The Golden Bough (1922)
| Class Sessions: | Required: |
| Introduction: Nature of Myth and Religion | Syllabus |
| Religion and Myth: Functions | Smith, Weber, Frazer |
| Mythic Function: Creation (Cosmogony) | Egyptian Myths |
| Film: The Magician (I. Bergman, 1959—101 mins.) | |
| Film: Medea (P. Pasolini, with M. Callas, 1970—100 mins.) | Medea |
| Mythic Function: World (cosmology) | Jewish Myths |
| Mythic Function: Nature (fertility) | Mystery myths |
| Mythic Function: Society (authority) | Ascetic myth |
| Mythic Function: Future (salvation) | |
| Film: Simon of the Desert (L. Buņel, 1965—45 mins.) | |
| Midterm Examination | |
| Myth Building: Christianity | Christian myths |
| Myth Building: Mormonism | American myth |
| Film: Triumph of the Will (L. Riefenstahl, 1934—107 mins.) | |
| Myth Building: National Socialism | Political myth |
| Myth Building: Unification Church, Rastafarianism, New Cults | New Myth |
| Film: From Noon to Three (C. Bronson, 1976—99 mins.) | |
| Myth Destruction | Nietzsche |
| Film: In the Name of God (A. Patwardha, 1991—60 mins.) | |
| Role and Future of Myth | Theory of myth |
| Final Examination (12:00–3:00 pm) |
Examinations
and Evaluation: Evaluations will be based on:
- a midterm
exam consisting of an in-class survey of the readings, films, and classroom
discussions to that point;
- a two-part
final exam consisting of a take-home essay selected from a series of
questions made available at least 2 weeks before the end of the course
and a survey of the readings and films from the entire course during
the final exam session; and
- participation,
discussion, and performance in class and in section.