The Feminine Archetype in Classical Mythology

Sarcophagus relief: The Rape of Persephone (photo courtesy of VRoma)

Course Syllabus

This course fulfills the Viewpoints (VP) category of the School of Arts & Sciences core curriculum.
This category represents a culminating experience serving as a capstone for the liberal arts core program. Taken in the junior or senior year, usually in the sixth or seventh semester, the course may be presented in a variety of formats. It may be an interdisciplinary liberal arts course in which faculty from two fields explore a theme; or a seminar in which a faculty member puts the liberal arts in perspective, perhaps comparing and contrasting a number of viewpoints; or a course growing out of one of the above categories on a more advanced level. Anticipated outcomes include the following:

1. knowledge of social institutions, culture, science, and technology (content literacy)
2. ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate information
3. awareness of how values and ethics inform decisions
4. consciousness of place both in the immediate and in the global community
5. reasoning, creativity, and persistence in problem solving (cognitive abilities).

COURSE DESCRIPTION: A study of the ancient roots of our concept of femininity, with primary emphasis on the archetypal psychology of Carl Jung. Drawing upon the mythology, literature, and art of ancient Greece and Rome, we will explore archetypal feminine symbolism in the context of matriarchal and patriarchal value systems.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVES: Students will demonstrate

1. familiarity with the major goddesses of ancient Greece and Rome and with the archetypal interpretation of symbolism formulated by Carl Jung and his successors
2. knowledge of the dynamics and symbols of the feminine archetype as manifested in classical mythology and art
3. comprehension of the influence of archetypal symbolism in culture, society, and individual life
4. understanding of how cultural values are shaped by matriarchal and patriarchal attitudes of consciousness and how they contribute to the societal and personal construction of gender and access to power
5. ability to use their understanding of archetypal symbolism to critique gender values, particularly in relation to their own lives as women

METHODS of INSTRUCTION: Lectures, discussions (both in class and virtual on Angel), viewing of images in all media, student project presentations, illustrated guest lecture by Professor Emerita Barbara McManus (TBA).

MATERIALS of INSTRUCTION:
Course Texts: You are asked to purchase these editions and bring them to class as directed:

• William Hansen. Classical Mythology: A Guide to the Mythical World of the Greeks and Romans. Oxford University Press. Paper 2005. CNR Bookstore.
• G.M. Kirkwood. A Short Guide to Classical Mythology. Wauconda, IL: Bolchazy-Carducci, 2003 (recommended for those new to the classical world). Order.
• Homer, The Odyssey, tr. Richmond Lattimore. Harper. 1999. CNR Bookstore.
• Demaris Wehr. Jung & Feminism: Liberating Archetypes. Boston: Beacon Press, 1987. Order.

Reference Texts:
Gill library has texts on the open shelves, on reference reserve, and on course reserve that will be useful for your assigned tasks and final project:
Reference Reserve:

• R. Bell. Dictionary of Classical Myth. Santa Barbara, CA, Oxford, Eng. ABC-Clio, Inc. 1982.
• Simon Price, Emily Kearns, eds. The Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion. N.Y. Oxford University Press, 2003.
• J.D. Reid. The Oxford Guide to Classical Mythology in the Arts: 1300-1990's. 2 vols. N.Y. Oxford University Press, 1993.
• F. Van Keuren. Guide to Research in Classical Art and Mythology. American Library Association. Chicago & London, 1991.

Course Reserve (check the more current online list):

• Anne Baring, Jules Cashford. The Myth of the Goddess: Evolution of an Image. New York: Penguin, 1991.
• Joseph Campbell. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1972.
• Lillian Doherty. Gender and the Interpretation of Classical Myth. London: Duckworth, 2001.
• Robert Graves. Greek Myths, 2 vols. N.Y.: Penguin Books, 1955.
• Carl Jung. Man and His Symbols. N.Y.: Dell, 1975.
• Erich Neumann. The Great Mother: An Analysis of the Archetype. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1972.
• Ann Ulanov. The Feminine in Jungian Psychology. Evanston: Northwestern University Press, 1971
• Demaris Wehr. Jung & Feminism: Liberating Archetypes. Boston: Beacon Press, 1987.
• Edward Whitmont. The Symbolic Quest. N.Y.: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1969.

Print Materials: Selections of myths from Greek and Roman authors; critical articles and essays; guides, diagrams, outlines; assignment instructions; bibliography.

Audio-visual and Web Materials: Angel for syllabus, assignments, instructions, resources, on-line discussions; web syllabus with links to guides, diagrams, assignments, and the Internet; videotapes; images of ancient and later art, as well as representations from popular culture.

REQUIREMENTS and LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Attendance:
   Regular attendance is crucial for this course because much of the discussion and visuals presented in class cannot be acquired any other way. Students who are absent are responsible for meeting due dates, acquiring materials presented in class, and returning to class prepared as all assignments and notes will be posted on Angel (all objectives).
2. Class Preparation and Participation:
   Bring all assigned texts and materials to each class. Participate actively in class discussions and analyses of myths and images (both in the classroom and on line). Prepare and complete all readings and tasks on time and with careful thought. Consult Angel regularly and prior to class meetings for updates, materials and assignments (all objectives).
3. Unit Tasks:
   Units 1 through 5 conclude with a task in which the student demonstrates her grasp of the unit content and her ability to apply it:
   • Unit 1: Archetypal Symbolism and the Process of Individuation o Take-home Test (objectives 1, 2)
   • Unit 2: Matriarchal/Patriarchal Consciousness and Values
     • Web Project on Reclaiming Symbols (objectives 3-5)
   • Unit 3: The Feminine Archetype: Structure and Symbols
     • Take-home Test (objectives 3, 4)
   • Units 4-5: Analysis of Mythic and Artistic Symbolism
     • Archetypal Analysis of a contemporary film (objectives 3- 5)
     • o Adopt-A-Goddess Essay (all course objectives)
   • Unit 6: Androgyny and Archetypal Symbolism in Homer's Odyssey
4. Final Project on Contemporary Archetypal Symbolism:
   Each student will either write a paper analyzing a modern use of archetypal feminine symbolism (in advertising, literature, film, art works, television, music or music videos, etc.) or employ archetypal feminine symbolism in an artistic or literary work of her own creation. On the final days of the semester students will discuss their projects with the class (objectives 2-5).

COURSE POLICIES:
Your presence and full participation (real and virtual) in this course is critical; more than four unexcused absences will result in a lowered course grade. Behavior appropriate to the learning goals is expected at all times. Late assignments will be penalized by a lowered grade unless a formal excuse is filed with the Dean's Office. Students found cheating or plagiarizing will earn an F for the course.Students with documented special needs must inform the professor at the beginning of the course of accommodations or services they require for successful academic participation.

GRADING:
A grade cannot be awarded unless all required assignments have been completed. Since you are responsible for attending all classes, each unexcused absence in excess of four will result in a deduction of 5 points from the class participation portion of your grade. Students will be graded on the quality of their completion of the requirements listed above as follows:
        30% : class attendance, participation (including class and Angel assignments)
        50% : unit tasks (5)
        20% : 20% final project

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