Course Overview
This course provides a comparative analysis of myths and their interpretation, considering at least two distinct cultural traditions. Through understanding theories of interpretation and traditional stories from different cultures and historical periods, students will explore how myth can reflect and enforce the values of a specific culture while also expressing universal human concerns such as the origins of the cosmos, gods, and humans; the afterlife; the deeds of heroes; the foundation of cities, including ceremonial rituals and social institutions. Traditional stories (primary texts), scholarly articles and analysis (secondary texts), and examples from visual art and contemporary popular media will be considered.
Prerequisite(s)
- BCIT ENGL 1177, or 6 credits BCIT Communication at 1100-level or above, or 3 credits of a university/college first-year social science or humanities course.
Credits
3.0
- Not offered this term
- This course is not offered this term. Notify me to receive email notifications when the course opens for registration next term.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Recognize the major systems of myth (mythologies) around the world.
- Identify elements of myth in contemporary culture.
- Compare, at an advanced level, myths from diverse cultural traditions and historical eras, including contemporary culture.
- Distinguish among myth, history, legend, and folktale.
- Explain the major cross-cultural mythological types and themes, including: creation stories; the flood; the afterlife; evolution of gods, goddesses and other supernatural beings; heroes and their journey; foundation (place) myths; representation of marginalized constituencies, including women, slaves, foreigners, children, non-human animals.
- Summarize and critique major theories used to interpret myth, including historical, allegorical, aetiological, myth-ritual, psychoanalytic, archetypal, structuralist, post-structuralist.
- Consider the effect of translation, transmission, abridgement of myths.
- Interpret complex levels of story in written and visual texts from different cultures and eras.
Effective as of Spring/Summer 2012
Related Programs
World Mythologies: Cross-Cultural Perspectives (LIBS 7015) is offered as a part of the following programs:
- Indicates programs accepting international students.
- Indicates programs eligible for students to apply for Post-graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
School of Business + Media
- Accounting
Bachelor of Accounting Full-time/Part-time
School of Construction and the Environment
- Residential Interiors
Diploma Part-time
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