HUSL 6308: Literature of Frontiers:
From Epic to Science Fiction
In this course we will explore "frontier" literature in diverse forms. We will consider the meaning
of frontiers, borders, margins and edges as intellectual and psychological terrain as well as in relation to
geographical spaces and national and cultural notions of territory.
Frontier literature has appeared in many literary forms through recorded human history. Our
readings will include examples of epic, medieval legend, the American western, romance, novel, pioneer
journal, science fiction, literary anthropology and science "fact-ion." In considering this wide variety, we
will ask to what extent "frontier literature" constitutes a genre. If so, what are its identifiable conventions? What can we learn about narratives of human exploration and endurance by tracing their unconventional manifestations and transformations? In what ways have these narratives been constructed by the contexts and environments in which their writers formed them? In what ways have they, in turn, shaped the consciousness of their readers and transformed the realms in which they are read?
REQUIRED READING:
- Homer, The Odyssey
- Beowulf
- Malory, King Arthur and His Knights
- H. G. Wells, The Time Machine
- James Fenimore Cooper, The Prairie
- Willa Cather, O Pioneers
- Sarah Royce, A Frontier Lady
- John Neihardt, Black Elk Speaks
- Carl Sagan, Contact
TWO ADDITIONAL REQUIRED TEXTS (one primary, one secondary)
FOR IN-CLASS REPORT: (In UTD library or local bookstores)
PRIMARY:
- Lawrence Stern, Tristram Shandy OR J. Swift, Gulliver's Travels
- John Milton, Paradise Lost OR Frederick Turner, Genesis
- James Joyce, Ulysses OR Umberto Eco, Island of the Day Before
- Mary Crow Dog, Lakota Woman OR Paula Gunn Allen, Grandmothers of the Light: A Medicine Woman's Source Book
SECONDARY:
- Campbell, Joseph. The Hero With A Thousand Faces; The Power of Myth or Transformations of Myth Through Time
- Frazer, J.G. The Golden Bough
- Frye, Northrup. Anatomy of Criticism or Fables of Identity
- Malinowski, B. Myth in Primitive Psychology
- Turner, Frederick J. The Frontier in American History
- Weston, Jessie. From Ritual to Romance
GRADED WORK
- 20 pp research paper (40%)
- Two in-class presentations, averaged together to equal 30%
(15-20 min. oral report + 3-5 pp. typewritten copy)
- Attendance and Participation (30%)
- Extra credit opportunities will be available. See below.
** EXTRA CREDIT VIDEOS **: The following films may be reviewed in a 10 min. in-class presentation
for extra credit.
First Knight, Last of the Mohicans, The Island of Dr. Moreau, O Pioneers, The Outlaw Josey Wales,
Unforgiven, Contact (if released in time), First Contact (Star Trek: Next Generation feature film), selected episodes from Star Trek: Next Generation.
CLASS CALENDAR
wk 1: W Sep 4:
1--Intro. to Course: Structure, Expectations, Definitions.
2--Lecture: What is Frontier Lit? Forms and conventions. Traditions and broken
traditions.
wk 2: W Sep 11:
1 and 2--Discuss The Odyssey, Books 1-12
wk 3: W Sep 18:
1--Discuss The Odyssey, Books 12-24
2--Video, (Odyssey related)
wk 4: W Sep 25:
1--Discuss Beowulf
2--Discuss King Arthur and His Knights
wk 5: W Oct 2:
1 and 2--Discuss The Time Machine
wk 6: W Oct 9:
1 and 2--Discuss The Prairie
wk 7: W Oct 16:
*** STUDENT REPORTS ON SECONDARY TEXT OF CHOICE
wk 8: W Oct 23:
1 and 2--Lecture on "Frontier Thesis"
wk 9: W Oct 30:
1 and 2--Willa Cather, O Pioneers
wk 10: W Nov 6:
1 and 2-- Discuss Sarah Royce, A Frontier Lady
wk 11: W Nov 13:
*** STUDENT REPORTS ON PRIMARY TEXT OF CHOICE
AND FIRST DRAFTS OF SEMINAR PAPERS DUE.
wk 12: W Nov 20:
1 and 2-- Discuss: John Neihardt, Black Elk Speaks
wk 13 W Nov 27: No class. Thanksgiving Break begins 5 pm.
wk 14: W Dec 4:
1 and 2--Discuss Carl Sagan, Contact
FINAL VERSION OF SEMINAR PAPERS DUE IN MY OFFICE:
*** TUES. DEC 10 @ 10:30 AM. ***
Last updated: May 29, 1997
Course Descriptions
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