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Dungeons Dragons & Dwarfs Spring 2016 GEW 4930 Dungeons Dragons & Dwarfs – Germanic Myth in Popular Culture Dept. of World Languages in the College of Arts & Sciences Instructor: Dr. Margit Grieb Term: Spring 2016 Office: CPR 409 Class Meeting Days: T & R Phone: N/A Class Meeting Hours: 12:30-1:45pm E-Mail: [email protected] Class Location: BSN 1402 Website: http://languages.usf.edu/people/mgrieb/ Office Hours: T & R 2-3pm Course materials: see below and on Canvas I. Course Description: This course explores historical, literary and visual (re)constructions and adaptations of Germanic mythology and history from antiquity to the present. We will study historical accounts and epic tales (e.g. Tacitus’ Germania, the Nibelungenlied, the Prose Edda, Beowulf, etc.) chronicling various Germanic tribal cultures and traditions, as well as analyze recent films and television shows that have adapted and re-interpreted these traditions and accounts for a contemporary audience. We will discuss why these themes are still (or again) relevant in contemporary society and examine how particular films (e.g. Beowulf, Lord of the Rings, etc.) and television series (e.g. The Dragon King, Games of Thrones, The Vikings, etc.) have interpreted the source material to appeal to aesthetic and cultural tastes of the present. The Romans, scribes in the High Middle Ages, the Romantics, and the Nazis, among others, took an interest in and coopted Germanic traditions and therefore constitute important cornerstones in the history of reception. In recent years films and television series that rework Germanic myth and history have enjoyed much popular and also critical success. In addition to fictional adaptation, we will view documentaries on historical peoples and eras, and examine operatic performances, paintings, sculptures, and architecture. Films are screened outside class time (available on Canvas). Non-English-language works are read in translation and foreign films are screened with English subtitles/intertitles. II. Attendance Policy Attendance is mandatory and counts as part of your final grade. Any absence, regardless of cause, in excess of missing two class periods (3 contact hours) will result in the lowering of the final grade by 2 points per extra absence (except for documented extraordinary circumstances), in addition to significantly lowering attendance and participation grade. Please save your absences for actual sick days or emergencies. General information on attendance: http://www.ugs.usf.edu/policy/GeneralAttendance.pdf. Students who anticipate being absent from class due to the observation of a major religious observance must provide notice of the date(s) to the instructor, in writing, by the 3rd class meeting (http://www.ugs.usf.edu/policy/ReligiousDays.pdf). III. Learning Outcomes At the end of this course students will be able to: Identify the most important texts (visual & literary) that are both the foundation for and manifestation of contemporary interest in Germanic myth, epic tales, and folklore. 1 Illustrate the historical and aesthetic significance of literary and filmic texts based on Germanic mythology and history (from the Middle Ages to the present). Analyze and evaluate (in oral and written form) a film, television show, historical or literary text critically. Apply paradigms of various modern disciplines (e.g. philosophy, history, political science, gender studies, etc.) to reveal how visual and literary narratives and approaches to aesthetics and adaptation reflect cultural and historical trends in society and the arts. Understand the major artistic, philosophical, historical, and political movements shaping literary, film, and television production in the US and in Europe (e.g. medieval courtly society, Romanticism, National Socialism, the age of the blockbuster, popular culture, rise of cable TV, media globalization, etc.). Explain the impact of gender, race, and globalization on both the production and reception of literary and filmic texts. IV. Course Objectives: Explore historical, literary and visual (re)constructions and adaptations of Germanic mythology and history from antiquity to the present (historical accounts and epic tales) Study various Germanic tribal cultures and traditions Analyze recent films and television shows that have adapted and re-interpreted Germanic traditions and accounts for a contemporary audience Study reception of Germanic myth by surveying literary and filmic adaptations as well as various artistic appropriations (e.g. opera, painting, sculpture, etc.) throughout the centuries Investigate why Germanic themes are still relevant in contemporary society Examine how particular films and television serials have interpreted Germanic themes material to appeal to aesthetic and cultural tastes of the present. V. Course Prerequisites None VI. Course Credits 3 VII. Required Texts and Materials Gods & Myths of Northern Europe. H.R. Ellis Davidson. Penguin Books. 1963. ISBN: 9780140136272 The Nibelungenlied. Transl. Cyril Edwards. Oxford University Press. 2010. ISBN 0199238545 Nibelungenlied. Transl. A. T. Hatto. Penguin Books. 1965. ISBN: 9780140441376 The Prose Edda. Snorri Sturluson. Penguin Books. 2006. ISBN: 9780140447552 Videos and additional readings are posted on Canvas. Readings include historical texts, e.g. Tacitus’s Germania and Lex Burgundionum (Burgundian Law/Code), as well as excerpts and complete literary texts, e.g. Merseburrger Zaubersprüche, Hildebrandslied, Nibelungenlied, and Beowulf, and theoretical texts on mythology, orality and literacy, and popular culture. This course will utilize USF's learning management system (LMS), Canvas. If you need help learning how to perform various tasks related to this course or other courses being offered in Canvas, please view the following videos or consult the Canvas help guides. You may also contact USF's IT department at (813) 974-1222 or [email protected]. VIII. Basis for Final Grade Assessment Percent of Final Grade Attendance & Participation 15% Reaction papers 10% Quizzes 25% Mid-Term & Final Exam 50% 100% 2 IX. Assessment Items: Attendance & Participation (15% of final grade): In addition to being rewarded for regular class attendance, you will be assessed on your active participation in class. In order to achieve 100% in “active participation,” you will need to have read and viewed the materials for class and have prepared answers to questions as well as have informed opinions that contribute in a meaningful and comprehendible manner to classroom discussions. Reaction Papers (10% of final grade): You will compose 2 “reaction papers” addressing pre-selected topics and/or questions pertaining to a particular work assigned in class. Your short essays must be ca. 2 pages, typed, and uploaded to “assignments” in Canvas. They will be checked for plagiarism through “Turnitin” (more on this plagiarism software below). Quizzes (25% of final grade): All quizzes contribute to your grade in this category. Quizzes will be given online and in class. They will cover the reading and viewing assignments. There are no make-up quizzes/exams given except in documented emergencies only. Mid-term & Final Exam (each 25% of final grade): In these two exams you will demonstrate your knowledge of the material covered in class, videos, and the readings. The exams will include multiple choice, true/false, short answer, and essay responses. The final exam will be administered during the approved University final examination period (http://www.ugs.usf.edu/policy/FinalExams.pdf). If there is a conflict with the final examination and another course exam you have, please let me know as soon as possible so that we can schedule a make-up exam for you. X. Late Work Policy: Assignments turned in late will be assessed a penalty: a half-letter grade if it is one day late, or a full- letter grade if it is turned in by the next class. No work will be accepted later than the next class day after it was due, e.g. an analysis that is due on Tuesday, cannot be turned in past Thursday. XI. Extra Credit Policy: There may be an extra credit opportunity during the semester. This extra credit event will be announced in class. XII. Grades of "Incomplete": The current university policy concerning incomplete grades will be followed in this course. Incomplete grades are given only in situations where unexpected emergencies prevent a student from completing the course and the remaining work can be completed the next semester. Your instructor is the final authority on whether you qualify for an incomplete. Incomplete work must be finished by the end of the subsequent semester or the “I” will automatically be recorded as an “F” on your transcript. XIII. General Course Policies: Devices in Classroom: You may use a laptop or other device to take notes during class. If you abuse the laptop policy, i.e. use your laptop for non-classroom activities during class time, you will not be able to use the device for the rest of the semester. Cell phones are not allowed in class (no exceptions). Per university policy and classroom etiquette mobile phones, etc. must be silenced during class time. Those not heeding this rule will be asked to leave the classroom immediately so as not to disrupt the learning environment. Professionalism Policy: Please arrive on time for all class meetings. Students who habitually disturb the class by talking, arriving late, etc., and have been warned, may suffer a reduction in their final class grade. End of Semester Student Evaluations: All classes at USF make use of an online system
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