OJ589 Reading of myth. texts of Colombia

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Recommended Type of Completion: k (colloquium). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Lucie Vinšová, Ph.D. (lecturer), doc. PhDr. Bc. Ondřej Šefčík, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Václav Blažek, CSc.
Department of Linguistics and Baltic Languages – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Linguistics and Baltic Languages – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Tue 14:00–15:40 Virtuální místnost, except Tue 14. 11.
Prerequisites
Good knowledge of English. Basic knowledge of Spanish is an advantage.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The objective of this course is to introduce the rich and original tradition of the indigenous tribes living in Colombia. During our lessons, we will read Spanish and English mythological texts of the Misak, Kogi, Desana, Nasa and Kokonuko tribes. The course will be accompanied by picture and motif interpretations. At the end of this course, students should be cable of an effective interpretation of mythological texts and motifs, which are by their nature very different to those of the Indo-European traditions. There will also be topics dealing with comparative mythology and cosmology. Another benefit will be improving translation skills across three languages (English, Spanish and Czech).
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students should be cable of an effective interpretation of mythological texts and motifs, which are by their nature very different to those of the Indo-European traditions. There will also be topics dealing with comparative mythology and cosmology. Another benefit will be improving translation skills across three languages (English, Spanish and Czech).
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction: Historical, geographical and anthropological context, language, customs, landscape, mixing of the original beliefs with Christianity. 2. Creation myths and the basic elements of Life: Creation myths and their comparisons across various Andean cultures, basic principles of life and dualism. 3. Children of water: The water cycle and the basic elements of life, time arrow and the way the conception of time reflects in the Misak language. Water cycle in the Kogi cosmology and the Creation myth. 4. The life cycle: Birth and childhood, myths of prodigies, the rules of a balanced life. 5. Adulthood: Household, measuring of time, plants and how to grow them correctly, possibilities of contamination and illness. 6. Death: myths about the afterlife, funerary rituals and demonic beings. 7. Namtrik language- characteristics and basic vobabulary. 8. Language Paez- characteristics and specific features. 9. Introduction into Kogi culture- mythology, cosmology, language, comparison with the tribes of Cauca. 10. Desana- the essence of Nature, the principle of balance and a barter market of souls. 11. The language of shamans, shapeshifting and the usage of hallucinogens, plant allies and icaros- the plant songs.
Teaching methods
Presentation on the theory and interpretation of the motifs and visual materials, reading of the texts, presentations, videos.
Assessment methods
70% attendance Presentation on a relevant topic of interest.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
Information on completion of the course: Ukončení zápočtem je možné pouze pro kredit typu C. Uděluje se na základě aktivní účasti při výuce.
The course is taught only once.
Credit evaluation note: Za kolokvium jeden kredit navíc.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2017, Spring 2018, Autumn 2018, Autumn 2019, Autumn 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2023/OJ589