3-Minute Philosophy Projects; Mythology Research

Your 3-minute philosophy projects are due today. Please use the lab to finish these. When you are done, please upload your work to Youtube and send me the URL address in the comment section below. We will screen these next class.

If you finish before the end of the period:

• Use the time in the lab to conduct research on your mythological topic
• You should know the major gods/goddesses of your chosen mythological subject
• You should know the creation myth that goes with that tradition
• You should identify key cultural traditions/beliefs that are represented in the myths of this culture: for example: arête (strength) is a common cultural quality examined in many hero myths. Find examples of some others.
• You should identify one hero from this tradition and be able to tell this legend
• Use the time in the lab to write or rewrite a story, poem, play, script, essay, etc. involving philosophy, or ethics. Incorporate what we've learned in some aspect of your work.

A word about myths:

• Myths usually run along cultural lines--embodying a specific world view or belief of that culture. They are often the basis of religion or religious belief.
• Myths often explain origins, natural phenomena, or aspects of our 4 major themes in literature: life, death, nature, or love. Myths often touch upon these themes.
• Myths name or describe the supernatural or divine world of beings beyond our human comprehension. They may include legends and are closely related to fairy tales and folklore. Hero myths or legends are used as role models for behavior or cultural taboos and mores. They exemplify what a culture deems important or essential to their group or way of living.
• Myths attempt to explain the connection between the divine and human existence, or to answer: Who am I and how do I fit in to the natural order? They often concern themselves with humans and their place in the natural order of the universe.
• Creation myths explain how a person or world came to be. There are a variety of creation myth types. Please refer to the handout for more details.

HOMEWORK: Please read the sample myths from the handout. Retell the myth in a short story or poem. Feel free to change the POV, time period, setting, names, or any other aspect of the myth if you'd like or use one of the myths to allude to in your story/poem. Create a draft for your portfolio by Thursday's class.