PHIL 2610 - The Myth of the Hero

Institution:

Curry College

Subject:

Description:

Offered Periodically This course examines the myth of the hero as an archetypal transcultural phenomenon. We shall explore how hero is a symbol of the self and its search for identity and meaning. We shall also look at critiques of these ideas. The course will begin with Siddhartha Gautama’s (the Buddha) search for Enlightment and Herman Hesse’s modern account of a parallel story in Siddhartha. Then we shall study the ancient warrior heroes in Homer’s The Illiad. The course then considers how Jesus may fit the understanding of the hero in the ancient world. Then we move to consider the myth of the hero in medieval chivalry moving on to the modern world, the romantic hero, and the anti-hero. Throughout the course, we shall make extensive use of films (such as Rebel Without a Cause) and analyze the myth of the hero as it appears in the contemporary context. This course is excellent for students at all levels. All 3000-level Philosophy courses require junior standing or successful completion of a 1000- or 2000-level Philosophy course, or permission of instructor.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.curry.edu

Phone Number:

(617) 333-2900

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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