GSC2404

Myth, legend and folktale

Patrick Morgan

8 points
* Second semester
* 3 hours per week (1-hour lecture, 2-hour tutorial)
* Gippsland and distance
* Prerequisites: GSC1401 and GSC1402 or equivalents

Objectives Students successfully completing this subject will have demonstrated a knowledge and an understanding of the common ground, and the distinctions, between myth, legend and folktale, in literary texts. Such knowledge and understanding will be demonstrated orally and in writing, through the skills of discursive analysis and argument, in response to questions raised in the teaching of the subject.

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. Students are introduced to various critical and theoretical approaches to the subject (anthropological, psychological, structural and post-structural) The main emphasis is on literary texts, but the subject will also be studied in 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%
* Internal students' short assignment will be presented as a class paper

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 (optional)
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