HNRS 22

Main Course

Comparative Odysseys

Description

Seminar, three hours. Designed for College Honors students. Greek and Chinese classics have in common two modes of heroism: one glorifying prowess and another celebrating mental cunning. Both modes are associated principally with men motivated by piety and honor. Interrogation of these traditional constructions of heroic, particularly conflation of courage and violence. Readings include Writer as Migrant by Jin Ha, Odyssey by Homer, Journey to West by Anthony Yu, Tripmaster Monkey by Maxine Kingston, and Ignorance by Milan Kundera. P/NP or letter grading.