MCCCD Program Description

Mythology

Course: ENH251

First Term: 2025 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Deals with the myths and legends of civilizations with the greatest influence upon the development of the literature and culture of the English speaking people, and compares those myths with myths from other cultures.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Use specific terms commonly encountered when discussing mythology. (I-III) 2. Describe relationships, similarities, and significant symbols in creation myths. (I-IV) 3. Describe the sources of mythology. (I, IV) 4. Describe the contributions of major interpreters of myth. (II) 5. Identify geographic locations such as North America, Africa, Asia, South America which have been wellsprings for mythology. (IV) 6. Analyze myth using the characteristics which identify a hero and/or heroine. (I-IV) 7. Analyze myth using characteristics which reflect on history, sociology, and/or politics in a global perspective. (I-IV) 8. Describe events and characters from mythology which are especially familiar in literature, art, and music. (I-IV) 9. Describe the nature of comparative study of myths, especially as explored by anthropologists. (I-IV)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Characteristics of All Myths A. Possess a sacred nature B. In narrative form C. Possess a timeless setting D. Consist of supernatural powers as participants E. Contain truth and knowledge F. Intensely believed G. Explanation of the mundane and sacred worlds H. Basis of self-knowledge I. Source of shared knowledge, expression, beliefs and values of a particular community II. Interpretations of Mythology A. Nature myth B. Proto-science myth C. Verbal part of ritual D. Charter myth E. Contemporary views of myth III. Common Themes of Cosmological Myth (aetiological and ritualistic) A. Creation of the universe B. Origin of the gods C. Origin of humankind D. A golden age E. Appearance of death F. Places of reward and punishment IV. Creation and Hero Myths from Around the World A. Greece and Rome B. The Middle East C. Northern Europe D. The British Isles E. The Far East and the Pacific Islands F. Africa G. Central and South America H. North America

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: October 29, 2024

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.