Annotation
The aim of this course is to introduce the journeys of certain inspiring individuals such as the Greek historian Herodotus, the Venetian merchant Marco Polo, the French anthropologist Claude-Lévi-Strauss, and others. It explores the importance of the encounter of these "unique travellers" with different cultures and highlights some ethical aspects of their travel accounts.
The selected texts of the above mentioned authors are interpreted within the framework of the European tradition of travel, and with regards to cultural contact with different people and the representation of "otherness". The course also involves documentary film projections and in-class discussion.