Course Description
The course introduces the concept of analogical thinking with a focus on metaphorical structures. Cultures differ in the social construction of reality and consequently favor different metaphors as expressions of social and national identity. Since analogical thinking is not limited to verbal forms of human expression, this course will also investigate tonal metaphors and visual metaphors. In many non-technological societies, this is the preferred form of communication. The study of visual metaphors will include the syntax of ideographic languages (Chinese, Mayan, Hieroglyphics, Futhark) and the use of visual metaphors as cultural symbols (cf. the Medicine Wheel, the Well of the Wyrd, the Quaternity, etc. The study of tonal metaphors will include a discussion of music theory, chordal structures, and Leonard Bernstein's six talks on The Unanswered Question (1973). The course will also focus on various theories of vision and how cognitive space is treated in these various models of visual metaphors. All of these topics are related to cultural metaphors and to different modes of communicating across cultures.
The Instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus when necessary to meet learning objectives, compensate for missed classes, or for similar reasons.