Unit 3 Flex Seminar “Myth and the Origin of the Humanities” HU 300 ART AND HUMANITIES: THE 20 TH CENTURY AND BEYOND with Laurie A. Smart-Pottle, MEd

Unit 3 To-Do List Reading Read chapter 3 in our text: “Myth and the Origin of the Humanities” (or PDF in DocSharing). Supplemental Resources Watch the 45-minute presentation (broken into five short segments) on what happens when stereotypes and prejudice are played out in an elementary school classroom— FACINATING and a true study! (My Web Resources under Unit 3 tab). Review Key Terms using the Flashcards in My Humanities Kit (link under Unit 3 tab). Discussion 50 pts. Participate in discussion (link under Unit 3 tab). Answer both questions (two “meaty” paragraphs each) AND respond to two students’ questions per thread (one “meaty” paragraph each). SEE RUBRIC! Flex Seminar Attend/ participate in a synchronous discussion. Bring a weblink to your favorite myth, legend, or folklore and we will share. NOTE: Our next project (Music) is due in two weeks. You can begin to prepare yourself by looking at the “tools” I put in the Unit 4 Discussion Board.

Key Terms Archetype Collective Unconscious Gender Roles Karma Monomyth Mythology Myths

Myth is commonly used as a synonym for “misconception.” In our chapter, it means something else? What does it mean? What page did you find this on?

A myth can be defined as… “a traditional story of unknown authorship ostensibly with a historical basis, but serving usually to explain some phenomenon of nature, the origin of humanity, or the customs religious rites, etc., of a people” (Janaro & Altshuler, 2009, p. 43) Native American nation What other examples?

The terms legend and folktale are sometimes used interchangeably with myth. Technically, however, these are not the same. How should we distinguish them? Donna Rosenberg, in her book Folklore, Myth, and Legends: A World Perspective (1997), offers some useful guidelines:

Myth, Legend, and Folklore…

MYTH A myth is a sacred story from the past. It may explain the origin of the universe and of life, or it may express its culture's moral values in human terms. Myths concern the powers who control the human world and the relationship between those powers and human beings. Although myths are religious in their origin and function, they may also be the earliest form of history, science, or philosophy... (Wikipedia, 2011)

FOLKLORE A folktale is a story that, in its plot, is pure fiction and that has no particular location in either time or space. However, despite its elements of fantasy, a folktale is actually a symbolic way of presenting the different means by which human beings cope with the world in which they live. Folktales concern people -- either royalty or common folk -- or animals who speak and act like people... (Wikipedia, 2011)

LEGEND A legend is a story from the past about a subject that was, or is believed to have been, historical. Legends concern people, places, and events. Usually, the subject is a saint, a king, a hero, a famous person, or a war. A legend is always associated with a particular place and a particular time in history (Roseburg, 1997). (Wikipedia, 2011)

Think of 2 family expressions, often-heard proverbs, advertising slogans, or political slogans. What are some of these sayings? What do these phrases mean to you?

Popular Sayings…

What does: “Nice guys finish last” mean? Is it true? What does it tell us about a culture that says it?

Check out this page: (take about 3 minutes) xioms.HTML (ha ha ha!) Now, what are some axioms you want to pass on to your children, family members, or friends?

Stereotypes…

What are some of the stereotypes that exist in American culture?

Do you believe stereotypes can be dispelled?

Have you ever held a stereotype that you adjusted after experience that proved the belief to be inaccurate? How did this change?

What important lessons can we take away from this unit with regard to humanities?

References Janaro P. J., & Altshuler, T. C. (2009). The art of being human: The humanities as a technique for living (2 nd custom ed. for Kaplan University). New York, NY: Longman. Rosenburg, D. (1997). Folklore, myths, and legends: A world perspective. Columbus, OH: McGraw Hill. Wikipedia. (2011). Mythology. Retrieved from Wikipedia. (2011). Folklore. Retrieved from Wikipedia. (2011). Legends. Retrieved from

Do you have any questions for me or for each other? Contact Laurie: IM: lsmartpottle