Folklore & Mythology

Spring Semester, 2020

Professor: Mustafa Kemal Mirzeler
 2

ENGLISH 2110
FOLKLORE AND MYTHOLOGY
PROFESSOR: DR. MUSTAFA KEMAL MIRZELER
OFFICE: 823 SPRAU TOWER
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment
Email address: mustafa.mirzeler@wmich.edu
But e-mail is not a substitute for person-to-person discussions.
REQUIRED TEXTS:

Beowulf
Epic of Gilgamesh
Homer. The Odyssey
Niane, D. T. Sundiata
Scheub, Harold. Trickster and Hero
Mirzeler, Mustafa. Remembering Nayeche and Gray Bull Engiro: African
Storytellers of Karamoja Plateau and Plains of Turkana

GRADING SCALE:
93-100 A Extraordinary
90-92 BA Nearly Excellent Work
83-89 B Very good
80-82 CB Good Work
77-79 C Mostly Good Work
73-76 DC Average Work
61-72 D Poor
0-60 F Failing Work

Important Note: For more information about grading at WMU, visit the academic
policies and grading section of the university catalog.

Class Meets: Dunbar Hall 03206

Dates: January 13/2020

Time: 2:00—3:40 pm
 3

The format of the exams and quizzes will be multiple choice. There might be essay
questions, as well, covering the context of the class materials, assigned reading
materials, lectures and films. All the quizzes and exams will be taken via E-
learning on the indicated dates. You will be given 60 minutes to complete each
quiz and a full class period to complete each exam. All the quizzes and exams will
be administered via E-learning during the window period. Visit the E-learning for
details about the window period for each assignment for the course. For example,
click on Quizzes to access quizzes.

Final grades assigned for this course will be based on the total points earned and
are assigned as follows:

GRADING SCALE:
93-100 A Extraordinary
90-92 BA Nearly Excellent Work
83-89 B Very good
80-82 CB Good Work
77-79 C Mostly Good Work
73-76 DC Average Work
61-72 D Poor
0-60 F Failing Work

Important Note: For more information about grading at WMU, visit the academic
policies and grading section of the university catalog.

Participation:
This course requires your active online participation. Each week, students will post
their reflections/questions/comments relating to the class materials and engage in
broader discussion with other students. Here are some tips for your success:

1. In online discussions, you will learn from one another by posing questions,
justifying your comments, and providing multiple perspectives. When you
prepare for discussions through thoughtful reflection, you contribute to your
own successful learning experience as well as to the experience of your
peers.

2. Log in to the course E-learning frequently (at least several times per week)
and check the news widget on the course homepage. You should check your
emails daily. This will keep you informed of any course updates, progress in
 4

discussions in the Forum, assignment information, and messages requiring

immediate attention.

3. I will use E-learning tools to follow and to monitor your online participation
in the course. As a part of the class participation, students must reflect on the
reading materials in the discussion forum and post their comments in E-
learning. The online discussion portion of the class will enable you to think
of the assigned readings and contribute more actively to class discussions.
Students failing to participate in online class activity will risk lowering their
grades. Five points will be deducted from your final grade if you miss three
online class discussions in the Forum.

Build Rapport:
If you find that you have any trouble keeping up with assignments or other aspects
of the course, make sure you let your professor know as early as possible. As you
will find, building rapport and effective relationships are key to becoming an
effective professional. Make sure that you are proactive in informing your
professor when difficulties arise during the semester so that we can help you find a
solution.

Complete Assignments:
All exams and quizzes must be completed by the due date and time. Students are
given seven days to complete their quizzes. Accommodations for possible
emergency and disability related issues are built within the window period. It is the
students’ responsibility to manage their time and complete the quizzes and exams
within the window periods provided. In order to avoid the possibility of missing
the exams or quizzes for whatever reason, students are expected to complete each
assignment within the first 48 hours after the windows are opened. Since students
are given extensive time to complete their quizzes and exams, there will be no
make up opportunities for quizzes or exams. No late work accepted without a
serious and compelling reason with appropriate documentation and professor’s
approval.

The format of the exams and quizzes will be multiple choice. There might be essay
questions, as well, covering the context of the class materials, assigned reading
materials, lectures and films. All the quizzes and exams will be administered via E-
learning during the window period.

Final grades assigned for this course will be based on the total points earned and
are assigned as follows:
 5

GRADING:
Seven Quizzes worth 5 points each (Total 35 points)
First Exam 30 points
Final Exam 35 points

Conduct and Civility:

Students are expected to contribute the learning environment by respectfully
interacting with their colleagues, regardless of any differences of opinion. When
students voice opinions with which you do not agree, feel free to voice your
opinion in a polite and civil manner. Use proper etiquette in online discussions.
Typing in all capital letters is considered shouting in an online environment. Rude
or belittling statements made to other students in discussions
are unacceptable.

Communication Skills:
All students must have adequate writing skills to communicate content in a
professional and concise manner. Students must be proficient in their written
presentations including strategies for developing ideas, citing scholarly references,
writing style, wording, phrasing, and using language conventions. Students must
use non-racist and non-sexist language.

Time Commitment:
As you begin this course, you would be wise to schedule 8 or more hours per week
for studying materials and completing assignments. Falling behind in this course is
particularly problematic because the concepts we cover are cumulative. This means
that not becoming proficient with information and objectives presented and
assessed in a particular week can lead to low scores for that week as well as in
subsequent weeks.

Understand When You May Drop This Course:

It is the student’s responsibility to understand when they need to consider dis-
enrolling from a course. Refer to the WMU Course Schedule for dates and
deadlines for registration. After this period, a serious and compelling reason is
required to drop the course.

Incomplete Policy:
Under emergency/special circumstances, students may petition for an incomplete
grade. An incomplete will only be assigned at the discretion of the professor. All
incomplete course assignments must be completed within one month.
 6

COMMUNICATION:
I will use your university email address and E-Learning to communicate specific
expectations and assignments, and to distribute study questions and various other
class materials. It is your responsibility to check your messages on a daily basis.
Checking your emails and E-Learning and responding to them in a timely manner
are crucial and doing so is your responsibility. Not acknowledging the messages
(including email messages), or ignoring them, does not remove your responsibility
to appropriately address the content of messages sent to you.

Problem Solver Versus Email:

If you have a question about the course content or mechanics, I encourage you to
post it to the Problem Solver discussion forum. Doing so gives students in the
course an opportunity to help one another and allows everyone to benefit from
answers to your questions. Of course, don’t hesitate to email me directly if your
concern is of a personal nature.

Email Response Time:

Generally, I will respond to emails within 2-3 days of receiving them. Please
include the course ID somewhere in the subject line of your email so I will know to
attend it quickly.

E-Learning Access:
This is an online course, so students must access this course on E-Learning, hence
students must know how to navigate the E-Learning system. Students need access
to the Internet and a supported Web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari).
To ensure that you are using a supported browser and have required plug-ins please
run the Browser Check from your E-Learning “My Home” page. Students are
expected to and must be proficient in navigating the WMU E-Learning in taking
quizzes and submitting various assignments, so managing your time is your
responsibility. If you experience technical difficulties, please contact the HELP-
DESK. The due dates for all assignments in E-Learning must match the due dates
in the schedule. All assignments must be submitted/completed via E-Learning
within the extended window period as indicated in the E-Learning. Please note that
all late work accommodations, for whatever reason, are built in all exams and
quizzes in the extended window periods, so budget your time accordingly.
However, if you need more time or additional accommodation please contact me
two days before the due dates of the quiz or exam in question. No accommodation
will be made beyond this guideline without a serious and compelling reason with
appropriate documentation and professor’s approval.
 7

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE:
If you need technical assistance with E-learning at any time during the course, you
can contact the WMU HELP DESK or student learning center.

Viewing Grades in E-Learning:

Points received for your graded activities will be posted to the E-Learning Grade
Book. Click on the Grades link on the top navigation to view your points.

INFORM YOUR PROFESSOR OF ANY ACCOMMODATIONS NEEDED:

If you have a documented disability and verification from the Disability Services
for Students (DSS), and wish to discuss academic accommodations, please contact
me as soon as possible. It is the student’s responsibility to provide documentation
of a disability to DSS and meet with a DSS counselor to request special
accommodation before classes start. Please note that all the exams and quizzes
incorporate double time to accommodate students with disability and various
others. Please note that accommodations are built in all exams and quizzes.
However, if you need more time or additional accommodation please contact me as
soon as possible.

DSS is located in Woodlawn Place at 2210 Wilbur (across from Rood Hall and
behind Fetzer Center). They can be contacted by phone at (269) 387-2116 (Voice)
or (269) 387-0633 (Fax).

Commit to Integrity:
As a student in this course (and at this university) you are expected to maintain
high degrees of professionalism, commitment to active learning and participation
in this class, and also integrity in your behavior in and out of the classroom.

WMU Academic Honesty Policy & Procedures:

“Students are responsible for making themselves aware of and understanding the
University policies and procedures that pertain to Academic Honesty. These
policies include cheating, fabrication, falsification and forgery, multiple
submission, plagiarism, complicity and computer misuse. The academic policies
addressing Student Rights and Responsibilities can be found in the Undergraduate
Catalog at http://catalog.wmich.edu/content.php?catoid=24&navoid=974 and the
Graduate Catalog at
http://catalog.wmich.edu/content.php?catoid=25&navoid=1030 If there is reason to
believe you have been involved in academic dishonesty, you will be referred to the
Office of Student Conduct. You will be given the opportunity to review the
 8

charge(s) and if you believe you are not responsible, you will have the opportunity
for a hearing. You should consult with your instructor if you are uncertain about an
issue of academic honesty prior to the submission of an assignment or test. In
addition, students are encouraged to access the Code of Honor, as well as resources
and general academic policies on such issues as diversity, religious observance,
and student disabilities: Office of Student Conduct www.wmich.edu/conduct
Division of Student Affairs www.wmich.edu/students/diversity
Registrar’s Office www.wmich.edu/registrar and
www.wmich.edu/registrar/policies/interfaith. Disability Services for Students
www.wmich.edu/disabilityservices.”

Important Notes:
a. Any form of academic dishonesty, including cheating and
plagiarism, may be reported to the office of student conduct.
b. This syllabus, along with course assignments and due dates, are
subject to adjustment. It is the student’s responsibility to check ELearning or
Email for corrections or updates to the syllabus. Any adjustments will be
clearly noted in course announcements or through WMU Webmail email.

Source: Western Michigan University. The cover page image in the syllabus is
drawn from Scheub’s “The Hero and Trickster in the Oral Tradition” course
syllabus.

Module Assignments Due

1 Class meets
INTRODUCTION Required Readings January
TO THE 13/2020
Bascom, “Frontiers of Folklore: An
COURSE
Introduction”
STORYTELLERS
The Storyteller With Harold Scheub (Film) Quiz 1 due
Sunday,
Lecture [The Art of Storytelling]
January 19/
Quiz 1 (This quiz tests students on the 2020
content of the syllabus)
12 pm (noon)
 9

2 Remembering Required Readings Quiz 2 due

Nayeche Begin Mirzeler, Remembering Nayeche Sunday,
and the February 02,
2020
Gray Bull Engiro (Introduction, Chapters
1, 2 &3) 12 pm (noon)
Nayeche Lecture
Study Guide Introduction
Study Guide Chapter 1
Study Guide Chapter 2
Dodoth Morning Film (Optional)
Quiz 2

3 Remembering Required Readings Quiz 3 due

Nayeche
Mirzeler, Remembering Nayeche and the Sunday,
Gray Bull Engiro (Chapter 3) February 9,
2019
Mirzeler, Remembering Nayeche and the
Gray Bull Engiro (255-324) 12pm (noon)
Analysis “The Elephant and the Fox” First Exam Due
Analysis “A Bat and His Friends Who (Online)
Went Raiding”
Sunday,
Analysis “The Many Whose Child Was February 16,
Eaten By Hyena” 2020
Analysis “The Rabbit Who Did Not Drink
Water”
Analysis “The Rabbit and the Baboon”
Analysis “The Story of the Rabbit Who
Was Caught Stealing Food”
Analysis “Napeikisina”
Lecture 2 (Analysis of Stories) Study
Guide Chapter 3
 10

4 Required Readings Quiz 4 due

Gilgamesh (entire text) Sunday, March
Gilgamesh
01, 2020
Scheub, Trickster and Hero (pp. 178-194)
12 pm (noon)

Study Guide
Lecture 1 (Gilgamesh)
Lecture 2 (Gilgamesh)

5 Quiz 5 due
Sunday, March
Beowulf Required Readings
15, 2020
Beowulf (Entire text)
12pm (noon)

Lecture 1 (Beowulf 1)
Lecture 2 (Beowulf 2)
In Search of Beowulf (Documentary
Study Guide
Lecture (Film: In Search of Beowulf)
6 Required Reading Quiz 6 due
Sunday, March
The Odyssey Scheub, Trickster and Hero (pp. 136-141)
29, 2020
Homer, The Odyssey (Chapters 1-7)
12pm (noon)

Watch The Odyssey (Film)

Study Guide
Lecture 1 The Odyssey
Quiz 6
 11

7 Required Readings Quiz 7 due on

Sundiata Niane’s, Sundiata (Entire text) Sunday, April
12, 2020
Scheub, Trickster and Hero (pp. 129-135)
12pm (noon)
Keita (Film)
Study Guide
Sundiata Outline
Lecture 1 (Sundiata)
Sundiata Notes
Final Exam
Final Exam
(Online)
Wednesday,
April 22, 2020
(2:45-4:45 pm)
12