CLA 372 - Epic Traditions: Singer of Tales (1)

What makes a poem “epic”? Who composed epic poems and why? How were they performed? Who were the audiences? These are the sorts of questions that we will be considering in CLA 372 Epic Tradition. The epics may come from ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome, as well as from Ireland, France, west Africa, and the Caribbean. In addition to the questions above, we will also consider the interaction of orality and literacy, as well as the cultures and performance traditions of these texts. Finally, we will not only be exploring the texts within their own contexts but also in our own. We will explore the role of these texts in the modern world through other media like film, television, and music, and we will also consider how epic has changed over time into the modern era. Prerequisites: Writing-designated course (W) and sophomore standing. Offered every third year.
(Humanities)