CLAS 424 A/C LIT 424 A/GLITS 313 B: EPIC TRADITION
MW 2:30-4:20 SIG 224
Olga Levaniouk
Professor, Department of Classics
Office: Denny M262B, (206) 543-2266
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
In this course you will encounter some very old tales: the traditional, heroic epics that for centuries served, and still serve, as a way for people to create a legendary past for themselves, to define themselves, transmit values that are important to them, and to connect the past to present and future. We will focus on traditional tales passed down orally from one generation to the next and visit many times and places, from the ancient Near East, Greece, and India, to medieval Central Asia and Europe. We will read, in whole or in part, the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Iliad, the Odyssey, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, and the Tain Bo Cualnge. The goal is to get a sense of what these epics are and how much more there is to explore.
Although it is listed as an upper-level, this course is very much open to students at all levels, including freshmen, and of all majors. No previous familiarity with the epics we’ll read is assumed or required. But: you will learn a lot even if you have read some of these poems before! Please be prepared for a substantial amount of reading.
TEXTS:
- The Epic of Gilgamesh, by Andrew George. Penguin Classics; Reissue edition 2003.
- The Iliad. A New Translation.By Caroline Alexander. Ecco 2016.
OR: The Iliad. Translated by Emily Wilson. Norton & Company 2023.
- The Odyssey. Translated by Emily Wilson. Norton & Company 2018.
OR: The Odyssey. Translated by Daniel Mendelsohn. University of Chicago 2026.
- The Mahabharata: a shortened modern version of the Indian Epic. Translated by R.K. Narayan, foreword by W. Doniger.
- Ramayana, Shortened Modern Prose Version of the Indian Epic. Translated by R. K. Narayan. Penguin Books 2006.
- The Tain: Translated from the Irish Epic Tain Bo Cuailnge by Thomas Kinsella. Oxford University Press 2002.
RACTICALITIES:
In essence, this is a read and discuss course, and the best part of it is always the exchange of opinions in class. There is no secondary literature to read, at least none that is required, though there will be optional recommended readings for those who are interested. The required background information will be provided in class and/or asynchronously on canvas, while the students’ essential task is to read the epics themselves and come to class with thoughts and questions.
Note on course image:
Boeotian terracotta statuette, C. 525–475 BC.
From Thebes. Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities ,Paris, Musée du Louvre – Inv CA 685,
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Religious accommodations
“Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..”