In this course, we will examine mythological literature from across the globe, with an emphasis on narratives of creation, destruction, and emergence. We will encounter well-treated myths such as those of Greek, Norse, and Judaic origin, as well as less oft-discussed myths from African, Japanese, and Native American origin, among others. We will take a comparative approach to these narratives, employing close reading to identify and examine themes such as symbolism, cultural knowledge, gender commentary, and environmentalism. Our critical lens for these examinations will derive from myth-theorists such as Joseph Campbell, Northrop Frye, and William G. Doty. These investigations will lead us to examine larger questions about the origins and functions of mythology.
- Teacher: Adam DePaul