AHIS3663

Myth and Fairytale

10 Units 3000 Level Course

Available in 2014

Callaghan Campus Semester 2

Previously offered in 2012

Examines the origins and development of the related genres of myth and fairytale in the Western literary tradition. Attention is firstly given to the relevant texts of the Greeks and Romans. This block of study is then augmented by the study of the genre in later works of the Renaissance through to the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Objectives To provide students with the opportunities to:
1. Gain knowledge of the genres of myth and fairytale in the Western literary tradition;
2. Compare and contrast each text with the aim of interpreting the discriminating elements of each, particularly within chronological and cultural contexts
3. Analyse various topics within each text. Topics may include: representations of gender, social and class environments, belief systems
4. Interpret the texts (at appropriate times) as original works that have been subsequently reinterpreted within genres such as children's literature and films
5. Develop an understanding of the impact of early literature on later Western cultural and social traditions;
6. Practise and demonstrate oral and written communications skills at advanced undergraduate level at 4 seminars;
7. Practise and demonstrate research skills at advanced undergraduate level at 4 seminars and in the major essay.
Content The course is based on a close reading and analysis of literary texts with the primary aim of establishing internal themes, narrative structure and related topics with the secondary aim being to examine the aforementioned elements within several of the works. Students will study a series of texts, which may vary from year to year and which may include some or all of the following: Homer's Odyssey, Ovid's Metamorphoses, Apuleius' Golden Ass, Shakespearean drama, works of the Brothers Grimm and Oscar Wilde, as well as twentieth-century works.
Replacing Course(s) HUMA3663 and ENGL3663
Transition Students who have completed HUMA3663 and ENGL3663 can not enrol in AHIS3663.
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge AHIS1070 or other Ancient History or English courses at 1000 level
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Lecture
Seminar
Assessment Items
Essays / Written Assignments 4 seminar assignments to be presented in class for discussion and feedback: 1. Text analysis (500 words = 10%); 2. Text analysis (500 words = 10%); 3. Seminar paper (1500 words = 25%); 4. Major essay draft presentation (500 words = 15%) AND major essay (2500 words = 40%)
Other: (please specify) Students must submit all assessment items in order to complete the course.

Attendance with participation at the 4 seminars is part of the essential criterion in order to augment Course Objectives 6 and 7.
Contact Hours Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Seminar: for 2 hour(s) per Week for 4 weeks
Timetables 2014 Course Timetables for AHIS3663