Mythology

Course Essential Questions

• Why is mythology such a valuable form of storytelling throughout time?
• What are the common elements that make myths so impactful?
• How do myths reflect unique features of cultures and societies?

Course Learning Objectives

• Comprehend, communicate about, and create myths.
• Analyze the purposes of mythology.
• Evaluate how mythology helps answer common questions of the human experience.
• Analyze common themes, motifs, and features in mythology.
• Analyze foundational symbols and metaphors of myths.
• Explain how myths reflect their unique cultural contexts.

Unit 1: Foundations: What is myth and why study it? (Weeks 1-3)

Students will learn the purpose and function of myths in society. They will research mythological allusions and metaphors, and find a personal connection for wanting to study Mythology.

Unit Level Essential Questions

• What is mythology?
• Why study mythology?

Week 1 Learning Objective:

• Identify what makes mythology a unique and valuable form of storytelling.

Week 2 Learning Objectives:

• Explain the different functions of mythology.
• Identify purposes of mythology (entertain, inform, persuade).
• Explain and identify examples of metaphors in mythology.

Week 3 Learning Objectives:

• Examine and synthesize reasons for studying mythology.
• Research and provide examples of mythological allusions.
• Identify and describe a personal "why" (reason) for studying mythology.

Unit 2: Origins: Where Did We Come From? (Weeks 4-6)

Students will learn about creation myths and how they reflect unique features of cultures and societies. They will use origin stories in mythology to create connections to contemporary creation myths.

Unit Level Essential Questions

• How does mythology answer the question 'Where did we come from'?
• What common elements do creation myths share?
• How do creation myths reflect unique features of their cultures/societies?

Week 4 Learning Objectives

• Analyze creation myths from different cultures using specific textual evidence.
• Determine common patterns and structures of creation myths.
• Interpret figurative meanings within creation myths.
• Create an original origin myth integrating common elements and key features.

Week 5 Learning Objectives

• Compare and contrast common elements across creation myths.
• Characterize unique features of creation myths in relation to their contexts.
• Use evidence to explain the features and functions of creation myths.
• Create an original origin myth integrating common elements and key features.

Week 6 Learning Objectives

• Evaluate modern origin stories.
• Create an original origin myth integrating common elements and key features.
• Reflect on and revise the working definition of 'mythology.

Unit 3: Roles: Where Do I Fit In? (Weeks 7-10)

Students will learn about deities as characters. They will focus on archetypes as well as heroes versus villains in both mythology and today’s world.

Unit level Essential Questions

• How does mythology answer the question 'What is my role/place'?
• What are archetypes? Why are they so important?

Week 7 Learning Objectives

• Analyze deities as characters in mythological stories.
• Identify and analyze symbols of deities.

Week 8 Learning Objectives

• Examine and synthesize definitions and critical lenses related to archetypes.
• Classify 'good' archetypes in mythology.
• Analyze the function and importance of 'good' archetypes in myths.
• Assess nuances and cultural differences in 'good' characters.

Week 9 Learning Objectives

• Classify 'bad' archetypes in mythology.
• Analyze the function and importance of 'bad' archetypes in myths.
• Assess nuances and cultural differences in 'bad' characters.

Week 10 Learning Objectives

• Characterize features of contemporary heroes and villains.
• Analyze critical responses to contemporary heroes and villains.
• Develop a claim regarding contemporary heroes and villains.

Unit 4: Rites and Rituals: How Do We Change? (Weeks 11-12)

Students will explore journeys and rites throughout mythology and analyze the symbolism behind them. They will develop arguments about rites of passage in today’s world.

Unit level Essential Questions

• Why have stories of journeys and rites of passage been so impactful?
• What are the common elements of journeys?
• How do modern rites of passage create helpful narratives for individuals today?

Week 11 Learning Objectives

• Evaluate models of the 'journey' narrative.
• Determine key elements of 'journey' and 'rites of passage' myths.

Week 12 Learning Objectives

• Compare modern rites of passage to each other and to examples of journeys and initiations.
• Development of an argument regarding rites of passage today.

Unit 5: The Future: What Comes Next? (Weeks 13-15)

Students will learn about afterlife mythology and what it reveals about the values of a culture. Students will also develop their own contemporary myths using common elements of mythology.

Unit level Essential Questions

• How does mythology answer the question 'What comes next?'
• How do afterlife myths reflect the values of their cultures?

Week 13 Learning Objectives

• Compare and contrast myths of the fate of the universe.
• Develop a plan to use common elements and key features of myths, to develop a contemporary myth of the future.

Week 14 Learning Objectives

• Compare and contrast myths of the afterlife.
• Create contemporary myths of the future that incorporate common elements and key features of myths.

Week 15 Learning Objectives

• Reflect on the course study of mythology.
• Explain which future myth is most effective.
• Reflect on and revise the working definition of mythology.