JNE 345 - Mesopotamian Mythology: Stories from Ancient Iraq

Institution:

Washington University in St Louis

Subject:

Description:

In this course we read, explore, and interpret various ancient myths originating from the fertile crescent, especially ancient Iraq, between the years 2500 and 400 bce. The Epic of Gilamesh, the Enuma Elish, myths of the goddess Ishtar as well as various flood and creation accounts are among those we read. Cultural background information is examined to situate each myth in its ancient context. Various theories of interpreting myth also are explored in order to appreciate the power and the many uses of these multivalent stories. Several basic questions underlie all that we do throughout the semester: What is myth? How should we understand the conceptualization of the category "myth" (in other words, How does myth work?)? Does myth still play a role in our own modern cultures?

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wustl.edu

Phone Number:

(314) 935-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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