Aims

This course has two objectives : an epistemological one that aims at analysing the source and the functioning of the myth in the collective and individual imaginaries; a descriptive one whose aim is to compare diachronically and synchronically comparable mythical universes from different cultures (Greek-Roman, Celtic, Egyptian, African, Asian, …Antiquity) or also to analyse the continuities of a mythical system through one single culture.

Main themes

A theoretic introduction will define in a general manner the functioning and reading ways of the mythical imaginaries (definition of myth; mythographic sources and the transmission of the myths; Mythology and myth theory; the narrations, the revivals and the interpretations of the myth; the place of the myth in social science; the diachronic and synchronic continuities of the mythic imaginaries). The rest of the course will be more descriptive : we will analyse a mythical theme chosen beforehand by a team of the teaching staff (e.g. the original myths [paradise or origin of the cities], the practice of ordeal, facing the dreadful, the sinking myths, the hero character of the twin births phenomenon, vanishing and reappearing, and so on). This will proceed taking the following elements into account:
1. narrations (form and contents) of the myth theme; 2. Sources and production of the myth theme (creation, legacy, borrowings, model adaptations, local, social and folkloric root-taking, inscriptions in ritual and religious practices); 3. comparison of the theme with other mythic and imaginary references; 4. non-literary transposition of the myth (iconography, music, …); 5. Continuity and revival of the theme (without disregarding the present-day exploitations).
When choosing the theme of the year , the teaching staff will stipulate the way it will involve the students in the course building (what to read, reviews, detailed research, and so on)

Content and teaching methods

After a theoretical introduction which defines in general the functioning and reading directions of the myth systems, the course will analyse a theme, chosen by a teachinh staff, following a typological, historical and comparative perspective. In 2003-2004, the theme chosen is the myth of the labyrinth.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Prerequisite : none.
Evaluation: based on the requested participation of the students during the year and on the writing of a paper of about 20 pages to be defended orally in front of the teaching staff. The details and subject will be specified at the beginning of the course; The student's ability to implement the methodological and descriptive approaches discussed at the courses will be assessed.

Other credits in programs