Certificate Courses

The World of Mythology

6-Month Certificate Course conducted by the Depts. of Sanskrit, Bengali & English
Time - 100 hrs

INTRODUCTION

Myths, legends, and fables form an integral part of every culture, every race. Across regions, literature, both folk and classical, has remained indebted to the rich mythological heritage of different cultures.

A collaborative effort by the departments of Bengali, English, and Sanskrit The World of Mythology / BiswerPuranjagatis a Certificate course designed to offer a bird’s eye view of the world of myths, both of our country and of the world, but with special reference to Indian, Greco-Roman, Norse, and Judeo-Christian myths.

The course is designed to encourage students from different streams, especially those from non-Humanities background, to step out of their regular academic comfort zones and engage with the slightly unfamiliar world of mythology.

It will also acquaint the current generation of students with the world’s rich and diverse mythological heritage, thus fostering cultural and literary awareness and sensitivity.

The course will include lectures, both in the narrative and analytical mode, interactive discussions and student presentations, and streaming of audio-visual material.

The Course has 5 Modules [100 Hours]

Syllabus

Module 1 - Introduction (3hrs)/ 10 Marks

Concept
Difference between Myth & Puranas/Legend

Module 2– Indian Puranas (1)(to be taught in Bangla) 20 Marks / 30hrs

  • Puran Sahitya: Bishaybhabna, Bibhag, Prabhab
  • Bivinno Pouranik Akhyan - Upakhyan:
    1. Kamdaha.
    2. Satir Dehotyag O Dakshayajna Dhwansa.
    3. Sambaran O Tapatir Parinayopakhyan
    4. Mahishasur Utpatti O Badher Upakhyan
    5. Kashyaper Manasputra Mankanaker Upakhyan
    6. Mahipati Dander Upakhyan
    7. Dhundhubadher Upakhyan
  • Bharatiya Sanskriti O Puran

    Module 3: Indian Puranas (2)(to be taught in Bangla)                    20 Marks /30hrs

    1. Applications of important Indian Puranas in modern Bengali Literature:
      1. Vedic Myth (Urvasie/ Rig Veda): Poems of Tagore, Samar Sen, Bishnu De; story by Parashuram
      2. Folk Myth (Manasa): Fiction by TarashankarBandyopadhyay; play by ShambhuMitra
      3. Mahabharat Myth: (Karna- Kunti, Draupadi): Poems by Tagore, BuddhadevBasu, Jaya Mitra, Sabyasachi Dev; Fiction by Kalkut, Mahasweta Devi, Dipak Chandra
      4. Ramayana Myth: (Lakshman, Ahalya): Poem by Tagore; skit by Sukumar Ray.

    Module 4: Western Myths (to be taught in English chiefly) 20 Marks /30hrs

    1. Introducing the major mythologies in the Western tradition
      1. Greco-Roman – the different generations of gods and goddesses (Giants, Titans,Olympians); heroes
      2. Norse – the major gods and goddesses
      3. Semitic (Judaeo-Christian) – major Biblical characters
    2. Myths of Creation in the three major mythological traditions
    3. Myth/ Cult of the Hero:
      • Prometheus, Herakles/Hercules, Odysseus/ Ulysses, Achilles, Aeneas, Cadmus, Oedipus (Greco-Roman)
      • Thor, Odin, Balder, Loki, Hel (Norse)
      • Christ(Judeo-Christian)
    4. Myths in Western Literature – Use, interpretation, and adaptation in some major texts, including popular fiction [ The Aeneid, Oedipus Rex, Paradise Lost, Prometheus Unbound, The Wasteland, Ulysses, The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Penelopiad, The Song of Achilles]
    5. Myths in the Visual Arts – Depiction in some famous paintings [Botticelli’s Primavera, The Birth of Venus, Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s Landscape with the Fall of Icarus, Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam.]

    Module 5 : Practical : 30 marks /7hrs

    1. Film show
    2. Discussion
    3. Presentation