2023-2024 / HREL0034-1

Comparative mythology

Duration

30h Th

Number of credits

 Master in ancient languages and literatures : classics (120 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in ancient languages and literatures : Oriental studies (120 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in ancient languages and literatures : classics (60 ECTS)5 crédits 
 Master in ancient languages and literatures : Oriental studies (60 ECTS)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Philippe Swennen

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

The first part of the course presents the history of the emergence and formation of comparative mythology.
The second part consists in studying the presentation of certain representations through ancient Indo-European mythologies, whether they be divine figures (the sun, the sky) or certain mythical themes (the slaying of the dragon, access to the afterlife).

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The first goal of the course is to inform students about the constitution and history of the discipline. 
The second is to show how difficult comparison is, by reflecting in particular on the autonomy of the mythic narrative.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

There are no prerequisites, but some familiarity with classical languages and comparative grammar issues is an advantage.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

This is an oral course.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course

Recommended or required readings

Course notes will be provided to students as the semester progresses. 
Recommended introductory readings: 
Marcel Detienne, L'invention de la mythologie, Paris, 1992 (collection Tel).
Philippe Borgeaud, La pensée européenne des religions, Paris, 2021.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report


Additional information:

The oral exam consists mainly of a discussion of the written work produced by the student on a theme agreed upon with the professor.
This assignment summarizes a question in about five pages.

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

The course schedule will be determined at a meeting held at the beginning of the second semester.

Contacts

Philippe.Swennen@ulg.ac.be

Association of one or more MOOCs