Greek Mythology and Philosophy: The Heroes of Ancient Greece

Greek Mythology and Philosophy: The Heroes of Ancient Greece will spend 3 weeks on each of the following heroes: Perseus, Heracles, Theseus, Asclepius, and Achilles. We will compare and contrast the Story Pattern of the Greek Hero to the more modernly used Hero’s Journey storytelling device. By looking at ancient art we will attempt to obtain an understanding of how the ancient people imagined these stories.  Each class begins with questions that are designed to encourage critical thinking and prepare/focus learners minds for the content of the day. Learners are encouraged to ask questions and participate in the discussion throughout the class. At the end of class there is students are prompted again with questions intended for them to think critically about the topic. We will spend 2-3 classes on each Greek god we discuss.

 No knowledge of Ancient Greek Mythology is required prior to taking the class but students with some background knowledge may also benefit from seeing how the different heroes are related to the broader picture of Ancient Greek Mythology. While the classes build on each other to show the timeline (beginning with Perseus and ending with Achilles) late enrollments are still welcome as every couple weeks we will be discussing a new hero in the mythology.

Week of January 12 -  Introduce the concept of a Greek hero, focusing on Perseus' story, and set the stage for comparisons between different heroes.

Week of January 19 - Overview of common traits among heroes (e.g., divine parentage, epic quests, encounters with monsters, and challenges that test their courage and ingenuity).

Week of January 26 - Introduce the concept of "the hero’s journey" in mythology.

Week of February 2 - Explore the life and labors of Heracles, focusing on his divine parentage and his journey through immense suffering and challenges.