The Modern Scholar: Singers and Tales

Oral Tradition and the Roots of Literature

By: Professor Michael D. C. Drout

Narrated by: Professor Michael D. C. Drout

In this course, Professor Michael D. C. Drout traces literature back to its ultimate sources in oral tradition. Drout shows us how works as varied as the Odyssey, Beowulf, the Finnish Kalevala, and epic songs from the former Yugoslavia were shaped by their origins as songs sung - and composed - before a live audience. Understanding the oral roots of these great works lets us see them in a whole new light. From classical texts to contemporary digital media, Drout demonstrates how the dynamics of oral tradition shape the verbal art that makes us who we are.

©2014 Michael D. C. Drout (P)2014 Crescite Group, LLC

Rich and Ear Opening

Loved it. Listened while walking and was enriched by the stories and learning. Thank you.

Interesting and insightful

As always, Professor Drout's enthusiasm made this a great read.
I've just started the Illiad so this series of lectures are very pertinent.

Inspiring

Dr. Drout, we've never met, but I'm a student of yours. I've been listening to your lectures since I myself was in college and had to pick them up from the library.

I can tell your mentor ment a lot to you. The final lecture in this course made me tear up. I was an English teacher for ten years. Your lessons, and his, live on in my students. That's the consolation after losing a great teacher and mentor.

Thank you.

Drout -so it’s great

Probably over 13 yrs ago, I discovered MDC Drout in searching for a way to engage the 4 very different Jr and High school students we had.
I really thought that I was the only one getting something out of it, and they were indulging me.
Now that they are adults, college graduates and post grads, there are these Drout nuggets that they some times sprinkle in conversation. And I am just so thankful.
MDC Drout is engaging. It is not just a lecture but listening to a friend who is passionate about a subject, so you also become passionate about it.
I found myself just circling back to his lecture this year and they are as wonderful as I remembered them to be.

excellent

this is the missing jigsaw piece in mosy humanities programs. orality vs. text is a fundamental part of how our society communicates and Drout is surprisingly artuculate about it