Course Description
Literary and anthropological approaches to the study of myth in culture.
Athena Title
Myth in Culture
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
To introduce students to: 1) literary and anthropological approaches to myth; 2) theories of myth and its role in culture; 3) ethnographic field work techniques: 4) technical vocabularies of literary criticism and anthropological research.
Topical Outline
Introduction to literary and anthropological approaches to myth, from both a theoretical and a practical standpoint. Reading of well-known texts on myth by literary critics and anthropologists will be coordinated with an in-depth analysis of a large body of Austronesian myths. 1. Introduction. Concept of Culture; Concept of Myth 2 - 3 The Yami and their Habitat -general location -climate -population -subsistence 4 -5 The Structure of Myth - models of human behavior. - verbal art - foundations of oral literature 6 -7. Myth and Ritual 8 Review 9 -10. The Song of the Ancestors -a case study based on a myth 11-12 The Creation Myth of Iranmilek -genesis -farming fishing 13-14 The Creation Myth of Iranmilek -manufactures -scheduling 15-16 The Creation Myth of Iralalay -cooperation -organized groups 17-18 The Creation Myth of Iralalay -residence -social and political organization 19. The Creation Myth of Yayo -marriage -ownership 20. The Creation Myth of Yayo -leadership -territoriality 21 The Creation Myth of Ivalino -ceremonial life -calendar 22. Mythology and Ontology -the Song of the Ancestors and the concept of the Supreme Being 23. Belief System 24 Belief System -the Yami pantheon 25. Belief System -magic -taboo 26. Belief System -deviners 27 Theme and Motif Variation in Yami Mythology 28 Genre as a Valid Taxonomic Tool 29 Genre Change and Subsistence 30 Review
Syllabus