CLAS 369 A: Epic Emotions: Emotions in the Epic Poetry of Ancient Greece and Contemporary India

Autumn 2025
Meeting:
TTh 1:30pm - 3:20pm / ART 003
SLN:
12848
Section Type:
Lecture
Joint Sections:
ASIAN 498 A , GLITS 313 C
Instructor:
Syllabus Description (from Canvas):

ASIAN 498 A

Epic Emotions: Iliad and Mahabharata

AUTUMN 2025

How to deal with Epic Emotions? What are emotions anyways? To what extent are they culturally 
determined? This class uses the larger-than-life emotions of classical epics, comparing those 
from two different cultures: the Greek Iliad and the Indian Mahabharata. We read from the 
originals (in translation) and take into account contemporary representations to trace how 
heroes, heroines, and villains deal with fear, anger, hatred, grief, pity… and yes, also love and 
humor! 

Cross-listed with GLITS 313 C and CLAS 369 A. 

INSTRUCTORS

Heidi Pauwels | hpauwels@uw.edu

Olga Levaniouk | olevan@uw.edu

SLN 10650 

5 credits

SCHEDULE

TTh 1:30pm – 3:20pm

Catalog Description:
The Iliad and the Mahabharata through the emotional worlds of the epics. Parts of the two epics supplemented by contemporary work on psychology of emotions and modern creative receptions of epics in literature and film. Topics include language of emotions, trans-cultural comparisons, and emotions that drive the narratives and shape the conflict of the two epics (fear, love, grief, anger, etc.) Offered: AWSp.
GE Requirements Met:
Arts and Humanities (A&H)
Credits:
5.0
Status:
Active
Last updated:
May 9, 2025 - 7:33 pm