Creation Project
Students will make up an original myth to explain how the world came to be (as it is today) incorporating at least three of the Weigle types in their myth. Students will then write an analysis of their myth, identifying the three Weigle types used, explaining exactly where, how, and why the Weigle types were used in their myth, and explaining what they were trying to suggest about the world through their myth.
Warning: This must NOT be a re-telling of an existing cosmogony/myth (Genesis, evolution, the Big Bang, etc.). See Leonard & McClure, Chapter 2 for examples of creation myths.
The creation project must be typed and double-spaced with one inch margins on all four sides. The assignment will be submitted electronically through the assignment dropbox. LATE PAPERS RECEIVE A ZERO.
This project will involve two parts: the writing of a modern myth of creation (500+ words) and an analysis of the myth written (500 words).
Myth Story: Using at least three of the nine types of creation myths given in the Creation Myths types handout, students will write a modern creation myth (500 words +). The myth must clearly demonstrate the use of at least three of the Weigle types. The student’s myth may draw on characters from historic creation myths, but the student's myth must reflect modern concerns and ideas and must not be just a re-telling of an existing myth. Apart from the chart identifying the nine types of creation myths, students may not use any sources. This is not a research assignment. Students who use information from printed documents, the Internet, or other classes may face academic integrity charges. (This portion of the assignment is worth 50 points)
A creation myth answers questions like Where did we come from? How should we live? What is the purpose of life? What is the proper way for people to live? Why is the universe like it is? What is the nature of the universe? Your myth should be a story that suggests answers to questions like these.
Myth Analysis: Students will explain which creation types were used to develop their myth and explain what their myth suggests about the place of modern humanity in the world. The analysis should be approximately 500 words (This portion of the assignment is also worth 50 points).
Your analysis must explain exactly which of the Weigle types were used and identify which details support their use. Your analysis will also explore what questions your creation story tries to answer, how it answers them, and what kinds of things you considered in answering those questions. Did you model your myth after a particular viewpoint, the way C. S. Lewis models Narnia around a Christian view of the world, or J. R. R. Tolkien models Middle Earth around Christian and Norse mythology, or the way Frank Herbert incorporates Catholic and Islamic elements into Dune? What governed the choices you made in your creation story? In what ways does your creation story try to fit our 21st century view of the world? Your analysis must explain which creation types you have used to create your myth and how you used each creation type in your myth. Again, this is not a research assignment. You will be graded on how well you apply what you are learning about mythology in this class and not on what you can find through research.
Do not create a title page for your document. Place as a heading your name, the assignment description (Creation Story/Creation Analysis), and the due date.
Additional resources
Students are required to submit this assignment. Students who do not submit this assignment are ineligible to pass this course.
HUM 2130 World Mythology