Yeah, I didn't have a problem following Dune.
To further tangetilize this thread, I've always planned an "Epic SFF" class I'd like to teach some day.
I would have the students read:
The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings
Dune (possible a couple of sequels)
I would also have them watch the movie versions of Dune (both the "Sting" one and the mini series? not sure), and LotR, as well as Star Wars
Also, in a controversial mood, and because I'm sadistic, I would probably force them to watch the 5 original Planet of the Apes movies, possibly be really cruel and watch the more recent one. Also, read the Peter Boule book they were all based on (though the book itself isn't epic).
That ammounts to between 5 and 7 novels, and over 35 hours of film for one semester. I'm a harsh taskmaster.
I've also fantasized a comic book class, which would be STRICTLY comic book, and possibly some nonfic on comic books. Required reading would be Scott McCloud ("Understanding Comics" and "Reinventing Comics") and Will Eisner ("Comics and Sequential Art," "Graphic Storytelling...," and "The Last Knight"). "Maus" by Spiegelman, Moore and GIbbons Watchmen, Ross and Wade's "Kingdom Come," and probably Cerebus book 1. Lastly, probably a calvin and HObbes collection, I'm not sure which.
And lately, I've considered a Superhero class, with only sketchy ideas. I know we'd be reading some essential superman stories. we'd look at issues of continuity. We'd watch at least the first two superman movies, as well as some episodes of Smallville. I'd focus so much on Supes just because it's one character, probably THE archetypal superhero, so the different ways he was treated can be examined. I'm also thinking of including some mythology in the mix, something like Beowulf, who I think is the most like Superman in the mythology I know, but I think that Greek mythological references need to be acknowledged too.