INQ-277 | Vampires, Witches and Werewolves in Slavic Culture

Topic Description:

Who are the “undead” in the context of Slavic culture, and why has this region been so rich in their expression, from Dracula to Baba Yaga to Vovkulaka? Why have witches, vampires, and other mythological creatures so captivated the minds of pre-Christian and Christian Slavs that a rich and persistent iconography has risen around them? This course examines the mythology and beliefs about the vampire, witch, and werewolf because they are central to Slavic beliefs about death and the afterlife, concepts which form the broad canvas of the course. The vampiric “undead,” the shamanic witch, and the metamorphic werewolf stand at the boundary between two worlds, the living and the dead. Other mythological creatures will be included in the study: dragons, firebirds, and the like. We will read about them in histories, legends, myths, and folk tales. The course will challenge students to separate historical fact from popular fiction, and to consider the complex role of these iconic figures in Slavic and East European cultures. This course is an excellent follow-up to INQ 270: Slavic Folklore, but completion of that course is not required. In May 2018, the course will travel to Poland and far Western Ukraine.

Course Types Offered: Travel

Topic Approved: March 2017