HU 300Myth and the Foundation of the Humanities

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Myth and Origin of the Humanities

In this unit, we will study the stories at the foundation of our beliefs, expectations, and view of the world.

But first my tourist slide of the week.

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SS360 – American SS360 – American WomenWomen

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Crisp Point (northern Luce County, MI) is a surviving example of what was a “life saving” station once maintained by the United States government. Men were stationed here and at other stations like it with small boats, and were at the constant ready, to rescue sailors from ships that got into distress on Lake Superior during storms.

HU 300HU 300 Now for more class specific details…

Mythology demonstrates the importance of many narratives across human cultures.

This includes our shared beliefs about ideas such as “good guys” and “bad guys,” popular sayings or clichés, gender roles, and more. Often the mythology of a culture can be very deep and lead to generalizations, simplifying a complex situation, and developing stereotypes.

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HU 300HU 300 Artists, authors, musicians, and

filmmakers use these mythic patterns frequently in their creations.

An understanding of mythology will help us to see how these stories have a part in our lives and belief systems, how to become more aware of their use, and how we can critically view works of creative expression through this lens.

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HU 300HU 300 In this unit's reading, you will read

about the impact of myth and its relationship to archetypes, the collective unconscious, and gender roles.

Read the chapter "Myth and the Origin of Humanities" in The Art of Being Human. Students can access PDF copies of the textbook in Doc Sharing.

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HU 300HU 300 Discussion Question 1.

Myths exist in all aspects of culture. In this discussion, we’ll be looking at gender roles—generally accepted assumptions about males and females.

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HU 300HU 300 Discussion Question 2.

Myths often communicate the values, lessons, or beliefs of a culture.  For example, Narcissus is so self-involved that he falls in love with his own reflection in the water. This leads to his death, because he will not leave himself behind. Lot’s wife, as noted in the text, perishes because she does not trust and obey. These stories act as corrective tales to guide behavior.

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HU 300HU 300 Explain a narrative in your life or culture

that is frequently told, or commonly known, and communicates a corrective lesson. Share this narrative with us.

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In this tale, told by Roman poet Ovid and remembered for his verses on love, a young girl named Echo falls in love with a vain youth named Narcissus. He was the son of a woman that the river god had encircled with the windings of his streams, thus trapping and seducing her. Worried for her son’s welfare, she consulted a prophet regarding his future. The prophet reports: Narcissus "will live to a ripe old age, as long as he never knows himself."

Source: http://www.narcissismfree.com/the-narcissus-myth.php

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HU 300HU 300 Greek and Roman Mythology along

with some Norse Mythology has formed many ideas in our heads as to how society was, is, and should be.

Have you ever heard of the Devine Comedy by Dante Alighieri?

All sorts of modern day myths about Heaven and Hell are in this book which was written from 1308 – 1321.

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Myth is commonly used as a synonym for “misconception.” In our chapter, it means something else? What does it mean?

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Common BeliefsCommon BeliefsWhat is “fate”?The Fates were

from Greek legends.

What are some ideas that we ascribe to fate?

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HU 300HU 300 The Fates have the subtle but awesome

power of deciding a man's destiny. They assign a man to good or evil. Their most obvious choice is choosing how long a man lives. There are three Fates. Clotho, the spinner, who spins the thread of life. Lachesis, the measurer, who chooses the lot in life one will have and measures off how long it is to be. Atropos, she who cannot be turned, who at death with her shears cuts the thread of life.

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The Fates are old and predate the gods. It is not entirely clear how far their power extends. It is possible that they determine the fate of the gods as well. In any case, not even the most powerful is willing to trifle with them.

Source: http://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/The_Fates/the_fates.html

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The Three Fates as portrayed in the 16th Century.

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Finish this sentence:

“Nice guys…

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What does: “Nice guys finish last” mean? Is it true?

What does it tell us about a culture that says it?

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Think of some family expressions, often-heard proverbs, advertising slogans, or political slogans…

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PhrasesPhrases

What are some of these sayings? What do these phrases mean to you?

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Phrases are myths Phrases are myths too!too!

What are some axioms you want to pass on to your children, family members, or friends?

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HU 300 HU 300 A switch in time saved nine.

Also a stitch in time saves nine.

A penny saved is a penny earned and so many more. Lots of these are from Poor Richard’s Almanac published between 1734 and 1747 by Benjamin Franklin.

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Stereotypes as Stereotypes as mythologymythology

What are some of the stereotypes that exist in American culture?

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StereotypesStereotypes

Do you believe stereotypes can be dispelled?

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StereotypesStereotypes

Have you ever held a stereotype that you adjusted after experience that proved the belief to be inaccurate? How did this change?

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The End Slide Sources for non credited slides – they were produced by Rick Elder or

Kaplan

University, 2011.

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