Beliefs and theories about dreaming and the dream phenomenon were diverse amongst the ancient Greeks. We shall look at notions of the predictive power of the dream, the phenomenon’s origins and meanings in different historical, religious and literary contexts. Multifaceted literary uses, philosophers’ theories and medical approaches will be considered as a background before delving into the fascinating world of dream interpretation.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

COURSE OUTLINE

• The dream as a device for knowing the unknown
• Perceived origins of the dream
• Dreams as delusion
• Dreams as a literary motif
• Dream interpretation: interpretation manuals, the practice, symbols and practitioners

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Have a clear knowledge of Ancient Greek notions of the dream
2. Discuss different theories of the phenomenon’s origins
3. Discuss the complexities of symbolic interpretation