LitCinSyl

MASCONOMET REGIONAL HIGH
SCHOOL DISTRICT

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Course Syllabus
Archetypes and Motifs in Literature and Cinema

Course Number: 0621	English Department
Phase: College Preparatory	Grade Level: 11/12
	Year Long Course Single Block Meets Every Other Day

Course Description:
The great and interesting ideas from society are not expressed just once in one era of history with the hope or expectation that they make their mark and then last forever. Rather the ideas that are important to society are picked up like flags on a battle field and carried forward from one generation to the next in the expectation of reinforcing the meaning and purpose of humankind. These ideas which are repeated throughout the history of society are motifs - themes expressed again and again to unify a people with a common vision. Sometimes these concepts are so profound and basic that that they will cross any one society and link the entire race of humankind - these are archetypes.
The purpose of this course is to help students recognize these motifs and archetypes. With this knowledge they can then see that there is an integrity and order to the world and its people of which they may not have been aware.

Central Objectives:

Students will understand and recognize motifs in literature, cinema, theater and other media.
Students will know what an archetype is and how it is communicated from generation to generation.
Students will be able to take basic motifs such as Innocence to Experience, Savior motif, Season motif and River motif and will be able to identify them in novels, plays and movies.
Students will gain a greater appreciation of the purpose and power of myth in our lives.
Students will understand the rudiments of Carl Jung's concept of archetype and how it affects society.
Students will be able to relate the knowledge gained in class and relate it to their lives.

Projects and Activities
The major activity of this course is the reaction paper in which students can relate what they have learned to pertinent aspects of their own lives. The reaction paper offers each student the opportunity to synthesize these ideas into their own creative output.
A typical project or test will be to write a report detailing the motifs, myths, symbols or archetypes which can be identified in a novel, play, poem, or film.

General Expectations:
    The student is expected to write a short reaction paper for each class expressing how the concepts covered in each class relates to him or her.
    The student will keep a daily log notebook which will record not only the terms and definitions covered in class but will also be a place where the she or he can note the ideas inspired by class discussion.
    The student acknowledges that his or her presence is important and will make every effort to attain perfect attendance. Class time missed will be made up after school or at home if possible.

Student Evaluation:
The student's grade will be calculated on the following terms:

Daily Participation 25%
Reaction Papers 50%
Tests/Assessments 25%

Scope and Sequence:
The course will begin with several of the more common motifs and symbols, their history in the arts and how they appear in contemporary media. Following this semester long introduction to the larger ideas found in the arts, we will begin to delve into the more difficult subjects of myth and archetype and their place in our lives.

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Course Number: 0621

English Department

Phase: College Preparatory

Grade Level: 11/12

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