Spring 2007
HIS 350L • Epics and Heroes of India-W
| Unique | Days | Time | Location | Instructor |
| 39735 |
|
- |
|
Talbot |
Course Description
This undergraduate seminar focuses on India's great classical epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the epic characters in relation to the heroic traditions of ancient India, as well as in relation to the religious traditions of both past and present. Although the Sanskrit epics will be treated at greatest length, students will also be exposed to medieval regional-language versions and to recent film and TV adaptations. In the first part of the course, the class format will vary between lectures by the instructor and group discussion. Toward the end of the semester, students will be engaged largely in research on a topic of their choice.
Grading Policy
Two short essays (4-6 pp. each) = 40% Research paper project (8-12 pp.) = 40% Participation = 20%
Texts
1) C. V. Narasimhan, Mahabharata 2) R. K. Narayan, The Ramayana 3) coursepack reader
