RST 175 Myth, Religion and Culture

 A study of mythology and mythmaking as it pertains to religion, human understandings of the sacred, the construction of community and identity, and human interrelationship within local, global and/or historical contexts. This course will introduce a variety of mythological themes with an aim to explore the special nature of mythology in understanding religion and sacred reality. Themes may include, but are not limited to: myths of gender and the gendered construction of power, creation myths, myths of human origin and death, myths of afterlife, myths of salvation, myths of the ends of the world, an exploration of archetypes such as gods, goddesses, heroes, monsters, etc., comparative global mythology, and religio-political myths. The course may also consider contemporary iterations of ancient and historical myths as they appear, change and are recreated within modern society and community, though media, political discourse, religious development, and/ or popular culture.GS-VA4, VI