Epics in Theory and Practice

We will spend the quarter exploring several regional Eurasian epic narratives—including the Anglo-Saxon story Beowulf and the South/Southeast Asian Ramayana—in the context of the histories, belief systems, and performance practices of these regions. We include in this foundational work an examination of cultural practices—customs, arts, rituals, foodways, musics—connected to those epics, and note their connections with cultural nationalist movements and historical contexts. We will also explore more modern works of fiction and musical performance from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries, such as Emile Zola's novel  Germinal and Alice Notley's The Descent of Alette , that possibly reinvent and expand the epic form, studying these new "epics" in their historical context; we will ask whether certain historical situations or events lend themselves to epic retellings. As part of our work with the performing arts, we are likely to sing, play musical instruments, and do hands-on work in adaptation as we examine the central elements of effective storytelling. Each week includes lectures, films, discussions, and workshops. Students will write two short essays and complete a larger essay at the end of the quarter that examines elements, including historical context, of epic performance in a particular region. Students will create digital posters to show at the end of the quarter in a poster session. This program may serve as a springboard for further study of Eurasian peoples, history, music, folklore, and material elements of culture.

It will be epic.

This program is coordinated with Greener Foundations for first-year students. Greener Foundations is Evergreen’s in-person 2-quarter introductory student success course sequence, which provides first-year students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive at Evergreen.

Anticipated Credit Equivalencies:

3 - Epic Performance Practice

4 - Folklore

4 - Cultural History in Social and Political Context

3 - Ethnomusicology