ETHS 251A - Oral Performances and Ethnic Identities

Institution:

Case Western Reserve University

Subject:

Description:

This course is an in-depth study of performances that have helped to shape and anchor the identities of different non-Western ethnic groups. The course will explore the multi-generic composition of the oral epic, which combines forms as diverse as narrative, song, praise poetry, theater, music and historical oratory. ETHS 251A will provide a comprehensive overview of oral performances while focusing on a particular area or areas of Africa, Asia, the United States, or Latin America. In the African continent, for example, the focus will be on the Madinka Sundjata corpus, dealing with the empire of Mali; the life of Shaka, the Zulu in South Africa; while in the United States, the narrative life of Frederick Douglas, blues and negro-spiritual will be considered as the sites of ethnic discourse. Using a comparative approach, the course will examine aesthetic issues of oral performance, the written word, interactions between music and voice, and interaction between poetic and prose narrative forms. The performance texts will be augmented by field recordings and in-class demonstrations by griots and other storytellers from Africa and the United States.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.case.edu

Phone Number:

(216) 368-2000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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