AJ27055 Trickster Makes This World

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2015
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus 3 credits for an exam). Recommended Type of Completion: zk (examination). Other types of completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Rebekah Anne Bloyd, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A.
Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Tomáš Hanzálek
Supplier department: Department of English and American Studies – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Tue 15:50–17:25 K23; and Wed 25. 2. 12:30–14:05 G31, Thu 26. 2. 15:50–17:25 G23, Fri 27. 2. 14:10–16:35 G31
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 12 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
Shape-shifters with enormous appetites. Border dwellers. Grand masters of wit. At once amoral, unwanted and revered. Who is this sly dog? In this course, we will explore the trickster figure in several contexts. Within this multicultural and multidisciplinary course, our primary focus will be American Indian cultures, including those of the Apache, Ojibway, Cherokee and Pueblo groups. Attention will also be given to the trickster in African American and West Indian traditions, with a brief look at Greek lore. Raven, coyote, rabbit, Anancy the Spider, Esu-Elegbara and Hermes will hover at the threshold: Their power, creation and cultural necessity will reverberate when they cross into our room. We will also consider current political figures as possessors of a "trickster consciousness" in their given arenas. Readings and films from the disciplines of anthropology, sociology and literature will provide our critical perspectives. Naturally, an understanding of oral traditions will be key to our explorations.
Syllabus
  • Shape-shifters with enormous appetites. Border dwellers. Grand masters of wit. At once amoral, unwanted and revered. Who is this sly dog? In this course, we will explore the trickster figure in several contexts. Within this multicultural and multidisciplinary course, our primary focus will be American Indian cultures, including those of the Apache, Ojibway, Cherokee and Pueblo groups. Attention will also be given to the trickster in African American and West Indian traditions, with a brief look at Greek lore. Raven, coyote, rabbit, Anancy the Spider, Esu-Elegbara and Hermes will hover at the threshold: Their power, creation and cultural necessity will reverberate when they cross into our room. We will also consider current political figures as possessors of a "trickster consciousness" in their given arenas. Readings and films from the disciplines of anthropology, sociology and literature will provide our critical perspectives. Naturally, an understanding of oral traditions will be key to our explorations.
Assessment methods
Assessment: an individual book report with both oral and written presentation, a group oral presentation and a journal.
Language of instruction
English
Information about innovation of course.
This course has been innovated under the project "Faculty of Arts as Centre of Excellence in Education: Complex Innovation of Study Programmes and Fields at FF MU with Regard to the Requirements of the Knowledge Economy“ – Reg. No. CZ.1.07/2.2.00/28.0228, which is cofinanced by the European Social Fond and the national budget of the Czech Republic.

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The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 1999, Spring 2018.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2015, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2015/AJ27055