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

N/A

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.

--------. (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. Linguagem, mito e religião. Porto: Rés).

--------. (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.

--------. 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., & 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

Continuous assessment - A test made in class regarding the whole theoretical corpus and with a practical dimension(50%), An essay of 15 to 20 pages with bibliographic research and teacher’s assistance(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: