Myths! What are they? Why are they remembered? Why should they be remembered? Are myths merely falsehoods--entertaining stories about gods and demigods written by people of ancient times, or are they a context where the actual truth of the human lot occurs? 

Eng 257 is a cross cultural survey of some of the world's mythologies and the myths of various cultures. It is designed to facilitate an inquiry into these enigmas and to learn how myth delineated individual societies and how it continues to define our lives.

Since the world of myth and the study of mythology is gargantuan, we will focus on only a few aspects of it. Our emphasis in this course is on Greek, Hindu, Sumerian, and Norse mythologies. We will examine these mythologies through:

• Creation myths and how they created the very fabric of societies
• The female divine and her role
• The male divine and how he defined the norms

The course is divided into two units. In the first unit, we will discuss myth in general and its expression in the above three themes. This unit consists of BlackBoard discussions and postings, and a mid-term exam. The second unit consists of text-based research papers based on specific myths related to the above themes. The last assignment in this unit is a final exam, which will be short essay responses to questions that will test your knowledge of the materials. 

One of the main purposes of this course is to inculcate a love of myth, and an effective way to do that is to read the myths, not only as entertaining stories, but also critically and analytically, because the "myth onion" has many layers, and each layer reveals a new meaning, a new perspective, and a new connection. Your essays and other assignments should be a reflection of this holistic approach.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• Understand the origin of myth and its dynamics
• Describe specific myths from the four assigned cultures
• Describe societal norms and how they created the cultures depicted in the texts
• Recall characters and their roles in the story
• Understand cross cultural universal themes
• Explain the important role of mythology in today's world

Your course grade will be determined according to the following points:

There are 2 exams in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect Empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : mnayak@nvcc.edu
Telephone : (703) 404-7337
You may also call me to schedule a meeting in person, either at ELI or my office at Loudoun Campus. 

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://nvcc.my.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.