Introduction
Humanities 1103 Library Research Guide for Professor Beirne's Introduction to World Mythology.
This guide contains links to resources for researching World Mythology.
See the blue menu to the right to find books, articles, and streaming media sources for researching Mythology. If you need additional help, stop by the Reference Desk or contact references services for assistance.
To access Library online resources, you need to know your COD MyAccess username and password.
To get print books from the Library, you'll need your library card number, which can be obtained using this online
Image: "Hercules and Omphale" by MATTEIS Paolo de (1662-1728). From JSTOR
Agenda
- Introduction
- NYTimes accounts
- Library Cards
- Off campus access
- Website Overview
- Research Guide
- Assignment Overview
- Media Lab - Create podcasts using the Media Lab's studios, equipment (that you can check out), and staff expertise!
Assignment
Introduction to World Mythology-1103-060
Fall 2025 Midterm and Final Assignments
Instructor: Kristen Beirne, beirnek@cod.edu
Library Session: Wednesday, October 25, 2025
Meet in the Library, In the SRC, room 3114 at 1pm
With Professor/Reference Librarian Ken Orenic
Final Assessment:
Due 12/12/2025, value: 100 points
Midterm Assignment-Annotated Bibliography:
Due 10/18/2025, value 100 points
- I will meet with each student individually to discuss their project Monday, 9/29 or Wednesday, 10/1
Potential topics:
- Mythology in popular culture: Research and present on how a specific myth, such as that of Prometheus or Pandora, is reinterpreted in a contemporary film, television series, or video game.
- Mythological themes in art: Analyze how painters, sculptors, or other artists have adapted a specific myth throughout history, and what those changes reveal about the cultures in which they were working.
- Mythological symbolism in modern language: Compile and research a list of English words and phrases that have their origins in mythology, explaining the mythical context for each. Examples include atlas, narcissist, and Achilles' heel.
- Modernize a myth: Create a short story or novella that reimagines a mythic tale in a contemporary setting. Hermes as a modern mortal.
- Produce a podcast: Develop a short podcast series that explores a specific mythological story or theme, such as an in-depth analysis of floods or heroes. (See the Media Lab to borrow podcasting equipment!!)
- Create a mythical newspaper: Write and design a newspaper from the perspective of an ancient culture, including "articles" about current mythological events.
- Signs of Mythology in modern culture. For example, identify names of widely known music groups, companies, and more, then connect why they chose these names.
Presentation possibilities:
- Powerpoint
- Slides
- Research Paper
- Podcast
- Other options-come
Part of midterm assignment is to identify:
- Which myth will be used in your presentation
- Which method will be used to present your findings
