AJ27055 Trickster Makes This World

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2018
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)
Jeffrey Alan Vanderziel, B.A. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Jana Chamonikolasová, Ph.D.
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 12:30–14:05 G12
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 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/15
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
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 1999, Spring 2015.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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