Description
World Mythologies and Their Cultural Impact delves into the enduring power of myth across human history and geography. From Greek and Norse legends to African, Hindu, Chinese, and Indigenous American cosmologies, this course explores how stories of gods, heroes, and monsters reflect each culture’s worldview, fears, values, and aspirations. You’ll study major mythological systems—like the Olympians of Greece, the Norse pantheon, the Hindu Trimurti, and Native American trickster tales—analyzing their narrative structures and cultural symbolism. The course examines myth as a lens through which ancient societies made sense of life, death, nature, and power. You’ll also investigate myth’s influence on contemporary literature, film (such as Marvel and Star Wars), psychology (Jung and Campbell), and national identity. Through comparative analysis, students will trace recurring archetypes like the hero’s journey, the flood myth, and creation stories across cultures. By understanding mythology not as fantasy, but as encoded social and spiritual knowledge, you’ll gain insight into the shared humanity behind these timeless narratives—and how they continue to shape today’s art, values, and storytelling.
Imaobong –
The myths from lesser-known cultures were fascinating and gave me so much creative inspiration. I now understand how ancient narratives continue to influence today’s media and literature.
Dominic –
I enrolled to enhance my lesson plans, and I ended up learning just as much as my students. The course blends storytelling with cultural analysis beautifully.
Taibat –
It’s rare to find a course that connects mythology to real-world impact so clearly. From social values to political systems, it helped me see how stories shape civilizations.
Sagiru –
The instructor’s passion made this course unforgettable. I appreciated the balance between academic insight and engaging storytelling. A must-take for anyone curious about world cultures.
Shafaatu –
This course opened my eyes to how mythologies have shaped everything from architecture to modern storytelling. It’s more than just myths—it’s a global journey through belief, culture, and identity.