Please use only the following textbook for this work.
Barry B. Powell, Classical Myth (9th edition). Please use this edition (or the 8th)
Assignment One Instructions
This assignment focuses upon units 4, 5, and 6. You should use the textbook, the instructional content, and your notes in completing this assignment. You should also review your study chart for the gods, and postings in the discussion forum from your fellow students.
This assignment allows you to practise critical skills in presenting, organising, and interpreting information in two concise, well-written compositions.
For the following gods you will write a well-crafted, brief composition (approximately 250-300 words per god, for a total of 500-600 words for the whole assignment).
- Hera
- Hermes
Each composition (dedicated to one god each) should be made up of three short paragraphs (sentence lengths are just provided for your guidance; yours may be longer or shorter):
Paragraph 1: Identify the salient features of the god you have chosen (approx. 3-4 sentences).
Paragraph 2: Identify the most important primary (ancient) sources for that god (approx. 2-3 sentences).
Paragraph 3: Address at least one “critical point” (see below), discussing the historical context out of which your god’s myths emerged (approx. 2-3 sentences).
On these three requirements, see further the Rubric below.
Use a standard font (e.g., Times New Roman) in a standard size (probably 12-point), double-space your work, and use 2.54 cm (= 1″) margins. Include a title page, indicating your title (e.g., the gods you have chosen), your name and student number, the course number and name, name of the instructor, and date submitted. Also include a bibliography, listing all of the sources that you used; your bibliographical entries ought to be in Chicago Style: Bibliography.
Once you have completed your two compositions, submit them (in a single document) to the Assignment One Dropbox (“Assessments” > “Assignments”). Be sure that your Assignment file is in PDF, DOCX, or DOC format. All submissions are taken as deliberate: ensure that you submit the correct document!
Assignment One Rubric
This assignment is graded out of 30 marks (15 marks per composition), and is worth 10% of the course grade. Each composition should address three areas (1, 2, and 3 below).
- Identification of the item, and summary of his/her/its essential features (5 marks)
Identify (where appropriate) the parents, the children, any geographic location(s) with which the god is associated, and any features which distinguish him/her (e.g. physical features, associations with animals, behaviour, special abilities, weapons, spheres of influence or ideological concepts). You should also identify (but do not summarise) the major myth featuring him/her. Your study chart will help you complete this section.
- Identification and evaluation of relevant historical dates and primary sources (5 marks)
As well as identifying historical dates and primary sources, be sure to explain why they are relevant. You may not have a date for each item, but you will definitely have at least one primary source. Hint: not all primary sources are of equal value: which is the most valuable primary source and why? Your study chart will help you complete this section.
- Discussion of critical point (5 marks)
Explain how the item is relevant to one of the critical points (the important themes with a red title) provided in the instructional content. Warning: Be careful here to explain; do not summarise the myth only.
Note re: Communication/Composition: Ensure that you communicate well, e.g., using paragraphs, writing in complete sentences, and spelling and capitalising correctly. The success of your communication will be assessed, and marks will be deducted from the total (out of 30), in line with the following schema:
Excellent composition: [no deduction]
Very good composition: -0.5
Good composition: -1
Satisfactory composition: -1.5
Adequate composition: -2
Marginal composition: -2.5
Poor composition: -3 [or worse]
