Sociology of Myth in Modern Culture Goals: To explore the purpose of symbol, archetype and myth in society and identify myths to describe our times. Part One Recommended text books. Click on titles to purchase from Amazon.com Man and His Symbols, by Carl Jung The Power of Myth, by Joseph Campbell Study the contributions of Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell, who proposed that cultures tend to create and live out the themes of mythology. Assignment: Choose a myth and describe its symbolism. Part Two Recommended text books. Click on titles to purchase from Amazon.com The Cry for Myth, by Rollo May The Religious Function of the Psyche, by Lionel Corbett Discuss the writings of these two contemporary scholars, who talk about the role of myth in the process of social change. Assignment: Write about the role of myth in modern American society. In what ways are people connected to their mythology; in what ways are they disconnected? Use examples and references from texts to describe how society would be different if people were more strongly connected to their mythology. Part Three Recommended text book. Click on title to purchase from Amazon.com Knowing Woman, by Irene Claremont de Castillejo Selected tape by Clarissa Pinkola Estes (to be played in class) Discuss female archetypes and the changing role of women in the twentieth century. Assignment: Identify an empowering myth for women. Discuss the influence this myth has had in the twentieth century. What do you predict for the twenty-first century? How will women live in centuries to come? Part Four Recommended text book. Click on title to purchase from Amazon.com Screenwriting from the Soul, Richard Krevolin Discuss the role of the entertainment industry as storyteller. Assignment: Watch and review a movie that has mythological roots. Describe the myth and the archetypes it addresses. (Link here for a list of archetypes.) This class is only one page long, but involves a lot of reading. Back to School Index