GLI B5501 -

Institution:

The New School

Subject:

Description:

Mythical Journeys-Then and Now Fall 2008. Ernestine Schlant This course in world literature surveys some of the great myths that originated in the Mediterranean basin. After distinguishing between myths, epics, and fairy tales, we focus our attention on narrative journeys, beginning with Gilgamesh (third millennium B.C.E.), and proceeding to Isis and Osiris. We spend time with Homer's Odyssey and Dante' s DivineComedy. Since many of these classic narrative journeys are informed by religious or quasi-religious underpinnings, it may seem surprising that mythical journeys continue into the "secular" 19th and 20th centuries. Inthe course of our readings, we strive to create a new definition of the term "myth" and arrive, by way of comparison with the older narratives, at a morenuanced understanding of who we are today. Modern works will include Joseph Conrad, The Heart of Darkness; Alejo Carpentier, The Lost Steps; Paul Bowles, The Sheltering Sky; Andre Brink, The Other Side of Silence; Cormac McCarthy, All the Pretty Horses; and Franz Kafka, The Castle. Our discussions of these texts will take the form of an intellectual journey, in search of new insights into ourselves and contemporary culture.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.newschool.edu

Phone Number:

(212) 229-5600

Regional Accreditation:

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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