Myth, Memory, and History
RELI 397
Fall 2008
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
HIST 274 |
This course will explore contemporary theories of myth and myth-making in religious studies and related fields, placing these analyses of myth in conversation with analyses of collective memory and historical consciousness. How, we will ask, do religious myths differ from other modes of writing--and living--history? And how, to the contrary, are ostensibly secular historical narratives imbued with the symbolic power of myth? How do present-day politics shape our perceptions of the past? And how, at the same time, do our perceptions of the past shape our views of the present and visions of the future? We will address these questions by reading theoretical texts in religious studies, history, and related fields, as well as by examining a range of mythico-historical narratives. |
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Essential Capabilities:
None |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS RELI |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
R. Barthes, MYTHOLOGIES
S. Boym, THE FUTURE OF NOSTALGIA
M. Eliade, THE MYTH OF THE ETERNAL RETURN
L. Malkki, PURITY AND EXILE
S. Ramaswamy, THE LOST LAND OF LEMURIA
Y. H. Yerushalmi, ZAKHOR: JEWISH HISTORY AND JEWISH MEMORY
E. Zerubavel, TIME MAPS: COLLECTIVE MEMORY AND THE SOCIAL SHAPE OF THE PAST
Y. Zerubavel, RECOVERED ROOTS: COLLECTIVE MEMORY AND THE MAKING OF ISRAELI NATIONAL TRADITION
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Examinations and Assignments:
A series of short papers on the course readings, along with a final research paper. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
This course fulfills a "Method & Theory" requirement for the Religion Department major. |
| Instructor(s): Goldschmidt,Henry Times: ..T.R.. 09:00AM-10:20AM; Location: BTFDA413; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 20 | | SR major: 7 | JR major: 7 | | |
| Seats Available: -1 | GRAD: 0 | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 3 | SO: 0 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 5 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 1 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 4 |
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