The Power of Myth

Please take a moment to watch the video posted at the top of this page.  It catalogs the thoughts and ideas of one of the most important figures in the study of myth.  Joseph Campbell has changed the way people think about mythology and is one of the main reasons i took an interest in it in the first place.  His book Her With A Thousand Faces explores the universal elements of myth and translates them to the personal.  His work allows all of us to see our selves among the pantheon of the Greeks, Egyptians, Hindus, Christians or any other tradition.  Ultimately that is what I want this course to bring to you: The fact that you are a part of something bigger and more exciting than you could have imagined and that the drama of existence played out in myth is the story of all us.  We are Gods, Goddesses and the Heroes of the ages.  We all are united by our common troubles and trials and how we face them, and/or avoid them will determine whether we are a Hercules, Medea, Jason or Theseus. Please keep an open mind as we move forward this semester as the course material is likely to challenge traditional notions regarding the nature of existence.  I hope you enjoy the video and look forward to your responses.  In your first post please state your name so I can connect the screen name with your real name.  This will help me get to know you in addition to keeping things organized.