Comparative Literature 108 Course Outline
Topic 1: Introduction to Mythology
Topic 2: Sumerian and Babylonian Mythology
Topic 3: The Epic Gilgamesh
Topic 4: Egyptian Mythology and Comparisons
Topic 5: Creation, Shamanism, Tricksters
Topic 6: The Dine bahane, Part I
Topic 7: The Dine bahane, Part II
Topic 8: Creation and Shiva Stories
Topic 9: The Ramayana
Topic 10: The Mahabharata
Topic 11: God, Humans, and Tricksters
Topic 12: Epics and Extended Narratives
Topic 13: The Dogon Creation
Ganesha
Ganesha is the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati. He is the symbol of good fortune in the Hindu tradition. Did you know that Hinduism, like Christianity and Islam, is a monotheistic faith?
Coyote
The Native American coyote is a clever, funny, and over-sexed "trickster" of the American Southwest. He is also the inspiration for the "Road Runner" cartoons.
Raven
Raven is the tricky culture hero of the American Northwest. The product of an immaculate conception, he steals sunlight.
Utnapishtim
The 4000-year-old story of Utnapishtim, from the area that is now Iraq, was the source of the Biblical story of Noah. What advice does he give to ancient epic heroes and to us?