This seminar is a comprehensive introduction to James Joyce’s Ulysses as the summit of literary modernism. To dispel fear of Ulysses, we’ll read the book one episode at a time, tracking the progressive weaving and unweaving of sense. Discussions will address the book’s Irish and European contexts and extensions, and Joyce's exuberant transvaluations of all novelistic values (narrative devices, generic conventions, topics, perspectives, styles and humors). A portion of each meeting will be devoted to music in Ulysses. Desiderata: inklings of Joyce's earlier work, intimacy with Homer’s Odyssey, interest in sly uses of language. Text: Ulysses: The Corrected Text, ed. by Hans Walter Gabler, (available at UW Bookstore and elsewhere). Requirements: weekly tasks/quizzes and a final or an ongoing project involving independent research. Please note: Ulysses is a delightful but very demanding book: some preparation is highly recommended (contact instructor in person: A415 Padelford, W 11-12 or by appt.).