GH 201: Introduction To The Great Works: Heroic Journeys

Course Description

Our course will explore the importance of the theme of the Heroic Journey – physical, mythical, and metaphorical – in ancient and modern literature. We begin with an introduction to some useful tools for analyzing literature. We’ll then advance to our primary readings in two sections of ancient & modern pairs:

    - Homer’s Odyssey & Richard Adam’s Watership Down
    - Sophocles’ Oedipus Cycle & A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

We’ll conclude with consideration of the influence of these works and the Heroic Journey on popular culture – in many artistic forms – from antiquity to the present day.

Students should anticipate a brisk reading pace. Graded course assignments will include regular readings, discussion notes preparation, occasional readings quizzes (all designed as aids to seminar discussion), two short essay papers, and a final project.

Instructor: Professor Marilyn Bisch

Please contact Professor Bisch if you have questions about this course.

Video: Professor Bisch discusses GH 201: Introduction to the Great Works: Heroic Journeys