Myth is a forbidding subject. Beneath arguments to myth origins, lies an intellectual enigma: did myth develop out of religious belief or did religious belief develop out of myth? Then, what to do with remarkable instances of coincidence found in odd parts of the world? Of more profound interest: is there a mythological memory that lies embedded in every human consciousness? Being an introductory program, focus is on stories belonging to the Arthurian traditions, with their rich narrative styles and accessible characters. Stories are examined, as far as possible, using authentic early texts.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

COURSE OUTLINE

• Myth timelines
• Myth: Fiction or Historical Record
• Myth: Raconteur, Teacher, or Data
• Myth: Culture and Consciousness
• Myth: Boundaries of Reality
• Myth Today
• Why Myths endure through vast ages.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Appreciation of power and depth in ancient story telling.
2. Recognise backstories in myths and interpret them.
3. Understand Perspectives from myth, by which to evaluate today's social values and directions
4. be able to delve into a number of wonderful stories, full of richly developed characters and heroic adventures.
5. Switch on their imaginations, to conceive and allow themselves belief in the Fabulous and the Unbelievable; all the while developing well-rooted interest in humanity and our human condition; including deep appreciation for what appear to be, eternal consciousness Truths.
6. Gain specific language skills by working with old texts, as well as introductory understanding of some ways that myths shape and order our minds.