Literature and Mythology

Objectives

a) Acquisition of basic knowledge on the relationship between myth and literature;
b) The development of critical thinking;
c) To develop the ability to approach literature as a complex cultural and artistic product;
d) The development of the ability to use different pluridisciplinary tools

General characterization

Code

711091131

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Maria do Rosário Cortez Ventura Frade Ferreira Monteiro

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 168

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Bibliography

Bachelard, G. (1978). La Poétique de la rêverie. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France.
Campbell, J. (1973). The Hero With a Thousand Faces (2ª ed.). Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Campbell, J. (1991). The Masks of God: Creative Mythology (4 vols.). Nova Iorque: Arkana.
Cassirer, E. (1953). Language and Myth (2ª ed.). Nova Iorque: Dover Publications.
Cassirer, E. (1962). An Essay on Man: An Introduction to a Philosophy of Human Culture. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Jabouille, V. (1986). Iniciação à ciência dos mitos. Mem Martins: Editorial Inquérito.
Jabouille, V. (1993). Do mythos ao mito: uma introdução à problemática da mitologia. Lisboa Ed. Cosmos.
Jung, C. G. (1966). The Spirit in Man, Art and Literature (vol. 15). New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Jung, C. G. (1968). The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious (2ª ed. Vol. vol. 9). New Jersey: Princeton University Press.
Jung, C. G., & Franz, M.-L. v. (1964). Man and his symbols. Nova Iorque: Anchor Press.

Teaching method

1. Theoretical lectures introducing theoretical subjects (50%);
2. Practical lectures of literary analysis to be developed by teacher and students (50%);
3. Use of different media technologies.

 

Evaluation method

Evaluation Method - An essay of 15 to 20 pages with bibliographic research and teacher’s assistance(50%), A test made in class regarding the whole theoretical corpus(50%)

Subject matter

1. Literature and Mythology:
1.1. Defining Myth: Analysis of several proposals;
1.2. Myth and the symbolic language;
1.3. Myth in Literature;
1.4. Types of Myths: theme, character and hero.
2. The Hero Myth:
2.1. Analysis of some classical hero myths: Gilgamesh, Odysseus, Prometheus;
2.2. Myths and their adaptations according to changes in Weltanschauung;
2.1.2. Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials.

 

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: