The Singers of Tales: Epic Poetry from the Classical Period to the Present

About this programme

On this course, you study the initial oral nature of the genre and its transition to a written tradition. The literature will be studied from cultural-historical and literary studies perspectives, taking relevant analytical methods as a point of departure, and the interplay between different epic traditions will be highlighted. Transnational and transcultural perspectives will be an important element for understanding the various epic texts. The course illuminates how the epic tradition developed and came to influence and change large parts of non-European literature. This course is at an advanced level and a Bachelor's degree in the Humanities, Social Sciences or Law, and English 6 or equivalent is required to study the course. The overall document for a course is the course syllabus. The syllabus can be found in the menu on the right. In this description, we clarify how to complete the course in practice. The course description should provide good guidance, but is not comprehensive. Further clarifications in oral or written form are given by the teacher during the lessons. Do not hesitate to ask the teacher if questions would remain. To see which teachers teach the course, and for information about the schedule and examination, see further under "Schedule". Information about Literature Lists can be found under Course literature. This course consists of lectures and seminars. You prepare for each lesson by reading relevant parts of the course literature. Course material, in the form of, for example, teacher presentations or reflection questions about the literature, is