MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS
Arts Undergraduate Handbook 1996
Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
GSC2404
Myth, legend and folktale
Neil Courtney
8 points + Second semester + 3 hours per week (1-hour lecture, 2 hours
tutorial) + Gippsland/Distance + Prerequisites: GSC1401 and GSC1402 or
equivalents
Synopsis This subject concentrates on four major traditions: Aboriginal,
Greek, Norse and Arthurian. It begins by considering what distinguishes myth,
legend and folktale as special kinds of story and how they relate to each
other. The emphasis throughout will be on literary representation, but the
subject will also be studied in its relationship to history, religion, ritual
and oral tradition. Particular attention will be given to the following general
themes: creation, the quest, nature and culture, male and female, death and
rebirth. An optional strand in the subject will allow students to make a
comparative study of selected stories from the older texts and modern versions
written for children.
Assessment Short assignment (1000 words): 20% + Essay (2000 words): 30%
+ Examination (3 hours): 50%
Prescribed texts
(a) Core texts
- Robinson R (ed.) Aboriginal myths and legends Sun Books, 1966
(extracts to be supplied)
- Homer The Odyssey rev. edn, Penguin, 1991
- Sturluson S The prose Edda U California P, 1964
- Gantz J (tr.) The Mabinogion Penguin, 1976
- Malory T King Arthur and his Knights ed. E Vinaver, OUP,
1975
(b) Versions for children
Most of these texts are cheap and easily available, but for students interested
in this area there is a wide range of suitable alternative texts in children's
bookshops, and in the university library.
- Crossley-Holland K The Faber book of northern legends Faber, 1977
- Lines K The Faber book of Greek legends Faber, 1973
- Morgan S The flying emu Viking, 1992
- Garner A The owl service Collins/Armada, 1973
- Green R L Myths of the Norsemen Puffin, 1970
- Green R L King Arthur and his knights of the round table Penguin,
1970
| Subjects - Gippsland campus
| Arts Undergraduate Handbook
| Monash handbooks
| Monash University