Heracles

Schedule of Topics

Since so many of our readings are in primary sources, and since these sources are so scattered, many of our readings are available most easily through the Internet.  The online version of this syllabus contains some links to the readings, but for the most part, you will get your specific reading assignments and links through the “Readings and Links” area of our class web page. You’ll note that after Oct. 26, all of our meetings will consist of presentations of material for our web page, responses to and editing of that material, and planning for work to be done for publication.  The online version of this syllabus will be continually updated (a) to allow us some wiggle room if our plans change and (b) to give us a working schedule of who presents when, when we get to that stage. 

Grade Scale:

A   93-100                   A-   90-92

B+   87-89                   B   83-86              

B-   80-82                    C+   77-79              

C   73-76                     C-   70-72

D+   67-69                  D   63-66              

D-   60-62                    F 59 ->

Goals

Welcome to Topics in Mythology: Heracles.   This seminar will give us a chance to delve into the myths and cults surrounding Heracles (a.k.a. Hercules, Herakles), one of the most versatile, popular and long-lasting heroes of ancient Greece and Rome.  We have a mission behind our researches as well: to create a web page which will make the complex issues surrounding this hero, accessible to college students and independent researchers with a real interest in myth and history.  Everything we do this semester will be directed not just to enhancing our own understanding of this ancient hero and the processes of myth and history that contribute to his versatile nature, but also to making our discoveries available to others in a form that is both interesting and scholarly.

So, our goals are pretty diverse:

• To gain an understanding of the nature of Heracles as he was understood in the Greek and Roman worlds;

• To observe how Heracles has continued as a popular figure into the modern world;

• To get an overview of the scholarly approaches to myth, history and religion that let us interpret the complexities of Heracles;

• To become familiar with the primary sources (literary, artistic, archaeological) from which we are able to draw out information about Heracles (and other ancient heroes and heroines);

• To become familiar with – even expert in – research strategies for antiquity, including both traditional research methods and internet resources;

• To become familiar with the elements of web page design we need in order to create an effective resource for others to use;

• To form a research and writing community for the purposes of creating this webpage, including:

• making effective mutual decisions on approach and content;

• working together in shared research projects;

• critiquing & editing each others’ work for an effective, unified final product.

Requirements

• Attendance is mandatory.  In the first part of the semester, each class provides a piece of the Heracles mosaic and is vital for shaping our vision of our webpage.  In the second part of the semester, each class is a working session in which we will report on our findings, edit our work and proceed toward our goal.  If you miss more than three classes, points will be deducted from your final grade for each class missed.

• Article synopses (20%): one of our goals is to read and give a brief synopsis of books and articles on aspects of Heracles that college students and researchers might find useful in their own work.  Each student will do ten of these, as we record and maintain a record on our web page (to avoid overlap). 

• Class participation (20%): How effective you are in discussing and providing input in our seminars; how effective you are in your group.  You will also be asked for your input on student contributions to class.

• Written work for the web page (60%): Some written work may be by individuals, others may be the product of communal organization and writing (in which case grades will be shared equally by members of the group).

Other information

• Your professor: Dr. Andrea Deagon, MO 263, phone 962-3870.  Office hours TR 3:15-5:00, W 1:00-5:00, or by appointment.  Email deagona@uncwil.edu .

• Class website (for class information; by midsemester we will be working on our website at another location): www.uncwil.edu/people/deagona/courses/herc.htm

This course is held in accordance with UNC-Wilmington’s Honor Code.