Myth and Symbolism (232-0-1)
Instructors
Robert Launay
847/491-4841
1810 Hinman Ave., Room #205, EV Campus
Office Hours: By appointment
Meeting Info
University Hall 102: Mon, Wed, Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM
Overview of class
This course is an introduction to three of the leading theories about the nature and meaning of myth: psychoanalytic, functionalist, and structuralist. Each of these three approaches will be considered primarily through the writings of their respective founders: Sigmund Freud, Bronislaw Malinowski, and Claude Levi-Strauss. Lectures will be primarily concerned with explaining these three theories. Examples of how these theories can be applied to the analysis of specific myths will largely be drawn from the Old Testament Book of Genesis.
Evaluation Method
Students will be graded on the basis of three written assignments of approximately five pages, typed and double-spaced, each. Each paper will consist of an analysis of one or more myths from a corpus to be selected by each student. Each of the papers will use one of the theories discussed in the course - Freudian, functionalist, and structuralist - to analyze the myth(s).
Class Materials (Required)
"Readings include:
1. Sigmund Freud, Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalysis (ISBN 978-0871401182)
2. Bronislaw Malinowski, Magic, Science and Religion (ISBN 978-0881336573)
3. Edmund Leach by Claude Levi-Strauss (ISBN 978-0226469683)"
Class Attributes
Ethical and Evaluative Thinking Foundational Disci
Ethics & Values Distro Area