Greek and Roman Mythology – Mr. White – Strake Jesuit College Preparatory 2019-2020

Required Texts and materials:  Oxford’s Classical Mythology – 9th Edition or 10th Edition

iPad/Laptop for digital resources

Hard or digital copy of the following primary texts:

• The Theogony – Hesiod
• The Iliad – Homer
• The Odyssey – Homer
• The Aeneid – Virgil
• The Metamorphoses – Ovid

Notebook

Your grade will be based on the following percentages:

Tests 40%

Quizzes 20%

Daily Participation and Discussion / Homework – 40%

——-

100%

Final Grade: Semester Grade 75%

Final Exam 25%

**Senior Exemptions** – Seniors who have an average of A going into the final exam for the fall or spring semesters are exempt from taking the final exam for this course. Juniors and sophomores cannot be exempt; however, final projects are considered in calculation of final exam averages, as will be discussed as exams draw closer.

TECHNOLOGY GUIDELINES – 

• While our texts are often digital, translations and notes should NOT BE done on iPads, laptops, or other electronic formats. Instead, translations and notes should be kept in a traditional paper notebook or on a paper copy or printout of the text.
• In the classroom, iPads and phones should never be on your desk or otherwise open, on, or available for use unless specifically instructed by Mr. White. Supplemental resources you intend to use in class, such as dictionaries or grammar guides, should be in a hard-copy format.
• You MUST have prior permission to use any specific digital resources for completing work other than the text copies, a dictionary, or Perseus Digital Library; unauthorized translations, etc., will be considered to be plagiarism and a violation of the school’s Honor Code.

About the class:

Objectives:

• To learn the source texts of classical mythology: epic poetry, drama, literature, and religious texts
• To discover the origin of mythology: the shared background of the Greeks, Romans, Vikings, Hindus, Persians, and Slavs descending from the Indo-Europeans
• To understand the universality of myth: how etiological myths show the origins of natural phenomena, as well as shared experiences across time and sitance
• To understand the mythology, history, and culture of the Greco-Roman world
• To discuss the philosophy of myths: how the culture and views of the Greeks and Romans differed from our own, and how their myths reflect this in their concepts of morality, duty, virtue, and normality.
• To connect classical mythology to the later Christian medieval and modern world: how myth deeply influenced early Christianity in the Roman Empire (e.g., St. Augustine from Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas from Plato, etc.)

Expectations:

• The class will be conducted primarily as a lecture and discussion in the classroom each day; the student is expected to have read any assigned materials and completed any homework, as it will be nearly impossible to participate otherwise.
• The class is structured to follow the college-level mythology class; as such, it is imperative that the student complete every homework assignment and class work, as the vast majority of the class revolves around the analysis of each day’s reading.
• Bring all books and materials to class including folder with loose leaf, pencil/pen (no red ink), highlighter, etc. If the student fails to bring all required materials to class, he/she shall be assigned a PH.
• Be sure to take good notes every day in a hardcopy notebook; do not use your iPad or laptop for notetaking!
• Complete homework on a daily basis. There is no partial credit for partial work. Late work is not accepted, period; the sole exception is for school-excused absences such as retreats, athletic competitions, and the like. Some nights, homework shall not be assigned, but it is essential to complete all homework as given.
• Study a little portion of the lesson each night. Students will take pop-quizzes on the material covered in previous classes without warning.
• Participate actively in the classroom activities even if they are difficult.
• Study for quizzes (once weekly) and tests (about one per month).  All the quizzes, pop-quizzes, and test must be signed by the parents and return to the class the following day, with the exception of semester/final exams (per school policy).
• Ask for extra help as soon as you need it.  The virtuous student asks for help immediately if he feels lost.  Attend extra help sessions. Questions are welcome in the class, so please; don’t hesitate to ask any question!
• Doing work or studying for other classes will not be tolerated.
• Conduct yourself in a respectful manner towards your peers and your teacher.  The guidelines of the Community Life all apply in this classroom.
• Honesty is a virtue and will be fostered in this classroom and at Strake Jesuit.  Repercussions are severe for those who choose to engage in academic dishonesty activities.  Don’t go there!

• Tardies:
• Each student who is a freshman may receive one grace tardy in the first semester, assuming some acclimation to campus. After this, he will receive a P.H. for being tardy to class.

• Disruptive Behavior:

• 1.  Warning   2. Teacher P.H. & Call home.  3. School P.H. & Call home
• Minor disruption may be punished with “paperclips” or other alternatives solely at the teacher’s discretion.
• **Profanity and bullying are not tolerated**
• **If you are doing work from another class in Latin, all your materials will be confiscated**

• Honor Code:

• Cheating will not be tolerated.  It will result in a 0 with no opportunity to make up the assignment.  This includes using online translators or getting help from native speakers/upper level students/parents for homework, writing assignments, and projects.  Please note that copying a friend’s homework and giving/receiving answers prior to a test/quiz is considered cheating.  You will be asked to sign the honor pledge on tests and quizzes.  You must abide by the Strake Jesuit honor code.

I have read and understood the above objectives and expectations.

________________________________           ____________________________

Student’s signature Parent’s signature

Date