For this project, you are required to produce two case studies: one based on a m
For this project, you are required to produce two case studies: one based on a modern film or game (case study #1) and a second based on a written work or graphic novel (case study #2). Each of these “case studies” will be based solely on the concepts and methods learned in the course and will require no additional research.
STEP 1: Choose a topic from the lists below (*no substitutions*), then acquire a copy from an online platform or library. Challenge yourself! Try to select something you haven’t seen or read before. Note: You must write one case study on a film and another on a written work. It doesn’t matter which order you complete them.
STEP 2: Watch the film, play the game, or read the book. As you do this, think of the key concepts and interpretive approaches you’ve been learning in the course. It’s a good idea to take notes as you do this.
STEP 3: Organize your thoughts. As you consider the film or book, reflect on some of the following questions:
• What sort of mythological universe or tradition is presented in the work? Is it based on an ancient model or is it newly invented?
• What are some of the central mythological themes / elements used? What is the function of those themes / elements within the narrative? Are those themes / elements used effectively or ineffectively?
• What specific concepts or theoretical approaches learned in the course might be useful in interpreting the use of these mythic elements?
NB: These questions are not a template for how your paper should be structured, but rather are meant to get you thinking before writing!
STEP 4: Write your case study. Once you’ve engaged with your source and reflected on it, put your thoughts into writing. Your analysis must be supported by concepts and approaches from course material.
A few things to keep in mind…
-You are not writing a “book report”: You are not just summarizing the storyline, but rather you are identifying specific mythological elements and analyzing them using concepts and approaches learned in the course.
-You are not writing a “film review”: You are not commenting on elements such as production value, performance, literary style, or merits as a work of art. Rather, you are analysing and interpreting the use of mythological content in the work based on course material. You don’t even have to like the work in question!
-You are not writing an “argumentative essay”: You are not trying to prove or disprove a central thesis or argument. You are identifying specific mythological elements from the world and interpreting them using concepts from the course.
Your final paper MUST contain the following elements:
Length: 4-pages double-spaced (not including title page!) It can be longer but not shorter than 4 pages!
Presentation: typed, double-spaced, 12-point font, standard margins, title-page (w/ name and student #)
Style: standard English grammar, spelling, and syntax
Organization: information should be structured and presented in a clear and readable manner
Analysis: course concepts have been understood and effectively applied
REFERENCES
Your paper must contain references to your source material. It doesn’t matter if you’re paraphrasing or providing a direct quotation, you must still indicate where the information came from. This particular project should only contain three types of references:
1) references to information from the textbook can be given in parenthetical form, ex. (Maurizio p. 100)
2) references to specific parts of the chosen film can be indicated by the timecode, ex. (The Hobbit 1:02) or the written work (Ilium p. 253) (Games present a special problem since there isn’t usually a specific way to reference in-game content).
3) references to material from the lectures, ex. (Module 3.2).
NB: No bibliography or “works cited” is required at the end of your paper.
FILMS
Black Orpheus (1959)
Jason and the Argonauts (1963)
Clash of the Titans (1981 or 2010)
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Winds (1984)
O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000)
Troy (2004)
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2010)
Thor (2011)
Wonder Woman (2017)
Any (one) Star Wars film or TV series (2-3 episodes)
Any (one) LOTR film or TV series (2-3 episodes)
*Instead of a film, you may choose to write about mythology used in gaming (ex. MTG, WoW, Dark Souls etc).
WRITTEN WORKS
Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Rilke, Sonnets to Orpheus (1922)
Tolkien, The Hobbit (1937)
C.S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces (1956)
Margaret Atwood, The Penelopiad (2005) Dan Simmons, Ilium (2003)
Emily Whitman, Radiant Darkness (2009) Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles (2011)
Neil Gaiman, American Gods (2001)
Marie Phillips, Gods Behaving Badly (2007)
Jennifer Saint, Ariadne (2021)
*Heathen (2017)
*Promethea (2001)
*The Wicked + The Divine (2014-2019)
*graphic novels
