HIST-341 Anatomy of the Fantastic (3)

This course explores the human invention, evolution, and engagement of fantastic realms throughout recorded history, both within and parallel to major religions across Eurasia. It covers topics including ancient magic books, supernatural creatures, perceptions of the exotic, fantastic medicinal and sexual prescriptions, and storytelling traditions of inexplicable phenomena. Students trace the evolution of these themes across time and space, tracking their influences on the rise of twentieth-century fantasy literature before embarking on a close analysis of the narrative and mathematical mechanics of modern fantasy world simulations such as war games, role-playing fantasy simulations, and role-playing gamebooks. Students also learn how to produce their own short but replicable simulations of fantastic, invented worlds.