Apply Now for University of Tartu International Summer University Course, “Out of Enchantment: Fairy Tales in Pop-Culture and History”
The University of Tartu International Summer University Course, “Out of Enchantment: Fairy Tales in Pop-Culture and History,” will take place on-site in Tartu, Estonia, August 1-7, 2022, Tartu, Estonia.
The course will provide insight into fairy tale studies and include a broad analysis of folk tales and fairy-talish stories, adopted by contemporary cinematography. It will describe the core structure of the tale and fairy tale characters that are recognizable in movies and screen adaptations. During the course, students will find out why Harry Potter is the Dragon Slayer and which folk tales correlate with this story; why Daenerys Targaryen is the mother of dragons, and who else gave miraculous birth to fantastic creatures; and figure out why hero(ine)s need supernatural powers. Students will also get familiar with the hero(ine)’s main features, how they have changed during the last century, and how gender and queer theories impact the female characters and the outcome of the tales.
Students will also familiarize themselves with old versions of the tales, such as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, tales about the Dragon Slayer, and Little Red Riding Hood as well as get to know local versions of the tales.
Students will learn how to recognize basic fairy tale motifs, the structure of the tale story, the typical hero(ine)s, and the course of the plot in modern screen adaptations regarding the folk fairy tale structure. We will learn to rethink well-known stories from a new perspective, including social contexts, the concept of beauty, empowerment; as well as trace changes and transformations in the stories, using both core and newest theories and approaches to fairy tale studies.
The course will be useful for students of all levels in the field of folkloristics, cultural studies, and for everyone interested in the topic.
Apply by June 19, 2022
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