The search for Otherworlds and alternate realities is probably as old as culture itself. Humans have dreamed, written and travelled in search of these illusive places. Plato’s Atlantis is one famous example, and the search for this legendary utopia has prompted men and women to undertake real exploration. The search continues today in the popular genre of ‘mystery’ archaeology in which ancient civilizations are re-discovered though eccentric theories. Many other cultures, from the Incas to the Polynesians have offered their own alternate world vision, while philosophy and literature, science fiction and film use the motif to express both hopes and fears about the nature of society. This course will examine a variety of ‘Otherworlds’ such as Atlantis and Lemuria, the Celtic ‘Land under the waves’, the mysterious inner earth of Jules Verne and the lost world of Conan Doyle.  We will also look at some strange science fiction worlds such as Perelandra and Bladerunner 

Knowledge and Understanding:

• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the origin, history and development of a variety of fictional worlds
• Demonstrate an understanding of how a range of source materials can be used in understand the idea of ‘Otherworld’
• Demonstrate a broad knowledge of the recurring motifs about the Otherworld across a range of cultures
• Examine some key texts in the development of ideas of utopia and dystopia

Intellectual Skills:

• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the underlying concepts and principles associated with the study of history and folklore.
• Initiate, undertake and articulate a basic analysis of historical information.
• Develop explanations and support them with evidence.
• Communicate, in both verbal and written form, the knowledge and understanding acquired on the course.

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

• Identify strengths, weaknesses, problems, and or peculiarities of alternative historical interpretations.
• Initiate, undertake and articulate a basic analysis of historical information.
• Deepen understanding of the broad themes and developments considered in the course through the analysis of a historical source or sources.
• To research, plan and structure essays and/or projects.
• To recognise, evaluate and interpret different types of evidence.
• To develop, at a basic level, subject-specific and critically-discerning information literacy skills.

This module is taught in 10, two-hour sessions, delivered on a weekly basis. These sessions will consist of a 1-hour lecture followed by class discussion and group work on specific topics relating to the module. The discussion and group work will enable the students to think critically and contribute to the debates and topics presented during the lectures. The discussion-led sessions and the lectures will be supplemented by resources available to the students via Learning Central. One session will be a visit to the Scolar rare books collection of Cardiff University which will enable students to see and discuss special collections material relevant to subjects covered in other lectures.  

Academic Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will have:

• found relevant resources in the library and online;
• assessed the reliability of different sources of information;
• demonstrated a critical approach to academic texts.

Transferable/employability Skills:

By the end of the period of learning, the typical student will have shown that he/she can:

• work effectively as part of a group;
• present an argument, accurately, succinctly and lucidly, and in written or oral form.
• time manage and organise study methods and workload;
• gather, organise and deploy evidence, data and information; and familiarity with appropriate means of identifying, finding, retrieving, sorting and exchanging information. 

The Search for Atlantis  The history and origin of the Atlantis myth

Strange Denizens of the Otherworld–  Travellers tales and what they tell us

The Mayan Underworld will look in depth at an unusual concept of the otherworld in both archaeology, art and text

Viking voyages to the New Worldand their effect in both archaeology and fiction

Journeys to the Center of the Earth: Mount Etna as entrance to the underworld and the visions of Jules Verne & Conan Doyle

Library VisitThis session will take give students the opportunity to examine some of Cardiff University’s rare books in

Scolar.

Starships to New PlanetsPerelandra, Bladerunner and the Voyage to Arcturus

The Search for Cathay:  European discovery of the East

Odysseys: classical and modern ‘quests’ from Homer to ‘Oh Brother Where art thou?’

 The Future isn’t what it used to be: The Myth of Utopia from Thomas More to Metropolis 

Selections from literary works, TV and film will be provided during the course on Black board and in Senghenydd Library.

The resources listed below provide background and context for the topics that will be considered in the course.

Kenneth L. Feder Frauds, myths, and mysteries : science and pseudoscience in archaeology (Boston, Mass. : McGraw-Hill Mayfield 4th edn,2002)

James R. Lewis UFOs and popular culture: an encyclopedia of contemporary myth (ABC-CLIO Ltd, 2000)

Birthe L Clausen Vikingvoyages to North America (Roskilde : The Museum, 1993)

Eileen Gardiner Medieval visions of heaven and hell : a sourcebook (New York; London : Garland, 1993)

Coe, Michael D. The Maya (New York: Thames & Hudson, 1999)