This seminar is a comprehensive introduction to 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. Students interested in Joyce's continental influences are encouraged to enroll in English 313. Text: Ulysses: The Corrected Text, ed. by Hans Walter Gabler, (available at UW Bookstore and elsewhere). Requirements: weekly assignments and a course project involving independent research and resulting in a longer final paper (15-20 pages). Enrollment by permission only (contact instructor in person: A415 Padelford, TH 1:30-3:30)