Course Description
A discussion of twentieth-century literary works (emphasis on narrative and drama) dealing with the reinterpretation of ancient classical myths, including English, American, Italian, French, German, and Russian Literatures. Special emphasis will be placed on the relevance of these texts to contemporary society around the world.
Athena Title
Myth and Oral Tradition
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
- to introduce students to major twentieth-century works of world literature that rely on traditional myths, with special emphasis on the relevance of these texts to contemporary society around the world; - to situate those works within their cultural contexts, including those of the culture within which they were produced and the culture from which their mythic sources derive; - to enhance students' critical abilities through the analysis of individual literary works; - to improve students' communication skills through oral presentations and expository writing assignments. Students' performances will be assessed through presentations, in-class writing assignments, papers, tests, and a final examination.
Topical Outline
The course is organized around a series of readings of twentieth-century literary works from various countries, with special emphasis on the relevance of these texts to contemporary society around the world. The topics discussed are specific to the works under analysis, but in all cases emphasis is placed on the relationship between the work and the myths it responds to. The works studied vary with the instructor. The following is a sample syllabus of readings for a single semester: Eliot. The Waste Land Giraudoux. Electra Mann. Death in Venice Rilke. The Duino Elegies Svevo. The Confessions of Zeno Tutuola. The Palm-wine Drinkard Okri. The Famished Road Garcia Marquez. One Hundred Years of Solitude Neruda. Canto General Galleano. Century of the Wind