Writing Across Cultures

Period 1: Please get into your groups of 4 from last class and share details about the Mircea Eliade essay on myth. Take 10-15 minutes to share your summaries. You should have a basic understanding of Eliade's points. We will be using some of Eliade's theories in our next examination of myths/legends. Please see homework below for more Eliade's theories. REQUIRED STORY PROJECT: 1. Scour and flip through the collection of myths in  Mythic Voices . Pick a myth outside of cultural Greece. You may feel free to do other portfolio pieces with the stories you have read: Cupid & Psyche, Theseus, The Golden Fleece, Perseus, Hercules, etc. [you will find Cupid (Eros) & Psyche, Hercules & the Hydra, Demeter & Persephone, Theseus, the Trojan War, Odysseus, and even Gilgamesh in the mythic voices collection. Do not pick these myths for this assignment, please.] 2. Choose a myth from the collection. Do not pick a myth you are familiar with. Read the myth. As you ...

Please use your lab time today to complete your  Star Wars  Hero's Journey analysis paper. Remember: titles of major works (novels, films, full length plays, epic poems, etc.) are  italicized .  This analysis draft is due by end of period 1.  Also, if you have completed your draft and proofread it or are ready to turn it in, you may begin planning or generating ideas for your mythic story retelling. Here's how to begin that: 1. Scour and flip through the collection of myths in  Mythic Voices . Pick a myth outside of cultural Greece. You may feel free to do other portfolio pieces with the stories you have read: Cupid & Psyche, Theseus, The Golden Fleece, Perseus, Hercules, etc. [you will find Cupid (Eros) & Psyche, Hercules & the Hydra, Demeter & Persephone, Theseus, the Trojan War, Odysseus, and even Gilgamesh in the mythic voices collection. Do not pick these myths for this assignment, please.] 2. Choose a myth from the collection. ...

Please turn in your homework. See previous post for details. Please use your lab time today (until 8:00) to continue working on your Star Wars Hero's Journey analysis. Remember: titles of major works (novels, films, full length plays, epic poems, etc.) are italicized . This analysis draft is due Tuesday, Nov. 29. Also, you may begin planning or generating ideas for your mythic story retelling. Here's how to begin that: 1. Scour and flip through the collection of myths in Mythic Voices . Pick a myth outside of cultural Greece. You may feel free to do other portfolio pieces with the stories you have read: Cupid & Psyche, Theseus, The Golden Fleece, Perseus, Hercules, etc. [you will find Cupid (Eros) & Psyche, Hercules & the Hydra, Demeter & Persephone, Theseus, the Trojan War, Odysseus, and even Gilgamesh in the mythic voices collection. Do not pick these myths for this assignment, please.] 2. Choose a myth from the collection. Do not pick a myth you are...

LAB: Please use your time in the lab to work on your analytical examination of Joseph Campbell's theories in Star Wars . REMINDER: Come see William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily a New Hope tonight at 7:00 in the Ensemble Theater. Extra credit if you go. For help with your essay, please see the previous post. CLASSROOM: Let's continue examining Carl Jung's theories. For homework, please watch the two linked videos and outline the key concepts shared in these two videos. After reading about Jung, please read a few poems from the packet. A creative task would be to take a myth (any myth you have encountered in Edith Hamilton's Mythology ) and use it as a creative spark to write your own poem. Use the models to create your own poem drafts. Then, let's take a look at Northrop Frye's theories . Frye was born in Quebec, Canada and lived in New Brunswick, Canada and taught at the University of Toronto--just hours away across our lake. See handouts/...

1st: LAB: Let's finish the last few minutes of Star Wars . Analysis: Write an analysis of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey archetype and/or the four functions of myth using the film Star Wars by George Lucas. Your task: Examine the effect and significance of Lucas' use of Joseph Campbell's  Hero's Journey Archetypes  and/or  the four functions of myth  in the film  Star Wars . Hero Journey: Status Quo/The Ordinary World The Call to Adventure (Refusal of the Quest)   Accepting the Call Entering the unknown Supernatural Aid Allies/Helpers Acquiring/given a gift/Talisman Tests & The Supreme Ordeal Reward (finding the treasure) The return/journey home Master of Two Worlds/Restoring the World Special Archetypes: Heroes Shadows (villains/antagonists/adversaries) Mentors Heralds/messengers Threshold Guardians/Monsters/(represent hero's weaknesses) Shapeshifters (represent change or reversal of fortune) Tricksters (mischief-makers...

1st: LAB: Please work with your partner or prepare your analysis of The Quest for the Golden Fleece or Perseus in regards Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey. This homework project is due today by the end of period 1. If you finish early, please work on the following tasks: Did you read the myths of Perseus and Theseus? If not, use your time to do so now. Review pages 24 - 62 in Edith Hamilton's Mythology . Create a fictional god or goddess (or pantheon) of Gods that might exist in our world today (or ones you make up). This can be humorous. For each god/goddess, consider what this god/goddess' sphere of control or aspect is: how does the god/goddess represent him/herself, what does he/she symbolize, or what "job" does the god/goddess hold in your pantheon. For example, Zeus is the god of rain and the sky, and he was the ruler of all the other gods--which meant he is also the maker of rules/laws (or government). He also slept around a lot, impregnating in...

1st: LAB: Take a few minutes (no more than 10) to discuss your feelings/thoughts about the Presidential Election and/or the coffeehouse. Use the first period (until 8:00) to work on your mind-map/graphic, design for the quest of the golden fleece or the myth of Perseus. Turn in by end of lab time, Monday, Nov. 14. 2nd: CLASSROOM: Star Wars . As you watch Star Wars , please take notes about the hero's journey. HOMEWORK: Please read the story Theseus in Edith Hamilton's Mythology. Continue and complete your graphic of the hero's journey. This will be due (extended deadline) Nov. 14 during 1st period. 

This morning, before we continue Star Wars , let's discuss the Analytical Essay project. Let's review possible steps for you as you examine the film: How to Write an Analytical Essay Tips for a Textual Analysis  Graphing for Textual Analysis Your task: Examine the effect and significance of Lucas' use of Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey Archetypes  and the four functions of myth  in the film Star Wars . When writing your body paragraphs, consider using the SEC method: State: State your idea or claim (or state your next idea or claim) Example: Give an example (paraphrase examples from the text or use direct textual support...quotes) Comment: Comment on the example you used (connect it back to your thesis or claim).  Repeat. Okay? Any questions?  Let's return then to Star Wars and continue watching. Take notes. Graph. Etc. You will use your notes for your analytical paper project. HOMEWORK: Edith Hamilton's "The Quest for...

LAB: Today we'll be in the library for only a little while (from 7:30 - 7:50). While you're here, please put finishing touches on your portfolios, print out any thing left to print out, etc. Tomorrow the marking period ends. Please make sure you have turned in your "Overcoat" ?'s Homework and any missing work you might have not completed. On your way back to the classroom, please return The Epic of Gilgamesh and pick up both: Edith Hamilton's Mythology and Mythic Voices . We will be using selections from both books. CLASSROOM: Let's hear the rest of the chapters (3-6 & 7) of The Epic of Gilgamesh and discuss the Gilgamesh's hero journey & the work's 4 functions of a myth. Hero Journey: Status Quo/The Ordinary World The Call to Adventure (Refusal of the Quest)   Accepting the Call Entering the unknown Supernatural Aid Allies/Helpers Acquiring/given a gift/Talisman Tests & The Supreme Ordeal Reward (finding the tre...