Divine Roles Across Cultures

Complete the University of Phoenix Material: Divine Roles Across Cultures.

Format your citations and references consistent with APA guidelines.

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 350-word short essay addressing the following: Why do so many cultures have divinities in similar roles?

References

APA-formatted citation

Create a 10- to 16-slide Microsoft^® PowerPoint^® presentation with detailed speaker notes about a contemporary hero or heroine’s quest. Refer to the University of Phoenix Material: Help With Microsoft^® PowerPoint^® Assignments for additional help.

Pick a contemporary story in the form of a novel, movie, or video game that is inspired by a mythological epic or journey of a hero’s quest. Briefly describe the plight of the main character–the feat(s) he or she must execute for the benefit of society in the face of challenges.

Identify the villain and describe his or her characteristics and role in the hero’s quest.

Identify other archetypes within the story. Briefly describe these roles in the hero’s quest.

Identify in detail each of the steps the hero takes in the quest: initiation, separation, transformation, and return.

Research the mythological and cultural origins of the story. Explain parallels between the myth(s) and the contemporary story it inspired.

Analyze any mythological symbolism, metaphors, and attributes pertinent to the story. What real life elements might these items represent?

Explain the conflicts between personal desires and community responsibility represented in the myth and the contemporary story. Relate these to the conflicts and choices with which ordinary humans struggle. Explain why these human conflicts retain relevance through the ages.

Format your citations and references consistent with APA guidelines.

Prepare a presentation about a vacation or a retreat to a sacred place in mythology, for example, the Oracle at Delphi or the Mahabodhi Temple. This place may or may not currently exist.

Create a 10- to 14-slide Microsoft^® PowerPoint^® presentation with detailed speaker notes. The use of images is encouraged.

Include the following:

The mythological origins, history, and functions of the place
Any sacred objects and attributes associated with the deities and mythological origins of this place, for example, Apollo’s snake and lyre or Buddha’s bodhi tree — Discuss the symbolism of these objects as used by contemporary people and cultures.
A comparison of this place to those that serve similar functions in other cultures, for example, mountain tops, temples, burial sites or memorials, and so on
The relevance of this place and these objects in contemporary culture — What significance do these places or things hold in the minds and emotions of the people? How do these places or things connect to mythological stories from that culture? What is the role of place and the associated objects?
The most important facts to know about the surrounding culture, and etiquette and dress to follow when visiting to this place — With what knowledge and experiences would you hope to return home?

Format your images, citations, and references consistent with APA guidelines.