Hello! I'm Bernard Duncan Norcott-Mahany, your Classical Mythology instructor for this term. With me is my dog, Alice (the Wonder Dog). Some might say that she's here with me because the name Alice comes from Greek (meaning "truth"). Maybe. Joseph Campbell used to say that we love myths because they show us a window to the experience of life rather than providing the "meaning" of life. Certainly pets and children do that for us too, and so point us to a truth other than "truth" as found in some book or belief.

As you read and reflect on the myths we study this term, I hope you'll get past what they "mean," and that some of the myths will touch you, will puzzle you, will fill you with joy (anger too sometimes); in other words, that you have an "Alice" experience.

Try to bring a childlike wonder to the myths you read, the pictures you see, the music you hear, and wrestle with all that input the way a child does with what s/he hears, but also bring the watchful eye of an adult and be critical (not judgmental, though). I think that the more success you have in doing this, the more you'll take away from the course.

You'll need the textbook, Classical Mythology by Stephen Harris and Gloria Platzner, 5th edition (McGraw-Hill: 2008). Also be sure to check out their website by clicking here. The website is full of commentary, modern reworkings of the myths, suggestions for music, film, and art to examine. It's a great resource. For other resources click on the doorways in the frame to the left.

If you need to contact me (and if you're going to miss a class, you need to contact me), please write me by Angel email, by regular e-mail [bnorcott@jccc.net (I check it everyday)], or call me at the college [(913) 469-8500 x. 6457] or at home. You may also leave materials at OCB 261 for me, if you cannot make it to class.

And please contact me throughout the term if you feel that this site can be made better. I'm new to this sort of thing and can use all the help I can get.