University of Phoenix Material

Divine Roles Across Cultures

Part I

Select one common divine role that recurs in world mythology.

Possible options of divine roles include the following: father or mother divinities, divinities of war, home or hearth divinities, divinities of love, divinities of wisdom, divinities of medicine or health, divinities of the wind, divinities of agriculture, divinities of the sky, ruler of all the gods, and so on.

Identify the role in the title of your table.

Select two myths, each from a different culture, in which the divine role appears. Identify the divinity names and cultures in columns A and B.

Complete the table by answering each of the five questions for both selected divinities.

Title:	Column A Divinity Name: Culture of Origin:	Column B Divinity Name: Culture of Origin:
1. How is this divinity portrayed? Describe the divinity’s role within the myth.
2. Is the divinity male or female? What function does this gender play?
3. What are the divinity’s attributes, such as divine powers or characteristics? What objects does the divinity possess, such as a weapon or animal, that assist him or her?
4. Within the myth of origin, how does this divinity compare with other divinities? How does this divinity interact with or compare to divinities of the same gender and to divinities of the opposite gender?
5. Identify one character from contemporary culture that shares characteristics of each divinity, and explain why you chose each character. What real-life ideals does this divine role represent? How attainable are these ideals?

Part II

Write a 150- to 250-word short essay addressing the following: Why do so many cultures have divinities in similar roles?

References

APA-formatted citation

APA-formatted citation

Part III

Cosmic Creation Myths Across Cultures

Select at least two creation myths from two different cultures. For ideas, refer to this week’s readings and the myths section of the Big Myths website for animated presentations of many creation myths.

Here is the link for one: http://www.bigmyth.com/ (hope it works)

Write a 600- to 775-word paper about the selected creation myths that answers two of the following questions:

· Which world or worlds, such as sky, earth, and underworld, are represented in the myths you chose? What are the elements of these worlds?

· Describe the creators. Are the creators male or female, and of what significance is gender? Describe what they created, including the steps or cycles of creation. Also, include descriptions of any destroyers or destruction, if applicable.

· Why is there such a focus on cosmic occurrences or natural phenomena like stars, moons, floods, rain, etc.?

· Compare the creators, creations, the steps or cycle of creation, and the cosmic elements of the two myths. What are the similarities and differences?

· Why do you think cosmic or creation myths are important to a culture? How do they shape a culture’s view of the world?

Format your citations and references according to the appropriate course level APA guidelines.

Part IV

Foundations of Mythology

Write a 600- to 775-word paper, in which you answer the following questions:

· How is the word myth used popularly? For example, what does the statement, “It’s a myth” mean? In contrast, how is the word myth used in the academic context? After considering the definition in your textbooks and course materials, write a definition in your own words.

· What are the most common mythological themes across different cultures? Why do myths from different cultures around the world address such similar or universal themes? Do we see these same themes in today’s myths? Think about how myths explain the unknown and the tribulations of mankind.

Format your citations and references according to the appropriate course level APA guidelines.