Syllabus

The Power of Myth and Star Wars

“…of course the galaxy’s greatest villain started out as a bratty EMO teenager…”

(Kevin Smith)

Essential questions for course

Stories and Storytelling (the basis of Campbell):

• What is the role of story in our lives?   

• What do stories tell us about ourselves?

Characterization:  the hero VS the anti-hero

• Does the main character change his way of dealing with the problem at the heart of the story or remain steadfast in his or her convictions?

Film (the genre as vehicle for the metaphor):

• What is the role of storytelling in film making?

• Sometimes a media “text” can involve multiple formats—character toys, clothes, LEGO sets, books, etc.  Specifically to Star Wars, does this enhance or inhibit the message of the film arc?

Readings (unless otherwise noted, all readings will be uploaded to the class blog)

• “Creating the Myth” (Linda Seger)

• "The Art of Immersion:  Why Do We Tell Stories?"

• “Storytelling in Context”  

• “You Won’t Live to See the Last Star Wars” (Adam Rogers)  

•  “Watch Star Wars inthe Best Order to Avoid Spoilers”  (JV Chamary )

• “An American Mythology: Why Star Wars Still Matters” (Steven D. Greydanus)

• *Call toAdventure

Viewings

• TED lesson on the anti-hero, the hero and metaphor

• * Call toAdventure

• The Power of Myth, episode 1 (PBS documentary with Bill Moyers and Joseph Campbell)

• The Star Wars saga (6 film arc; perhaps Episodes 7 and 8))

• Star Wars:  The Legacy Revealed (documentary from the History Channel)

Writings

• Reading / viewing responses bridging the essential questions to the texts studied

• Campbell charts with analysis

• Note taking sheets for TED talks and other videos

Midterm writing (in class)

Final Exam

TBA

Please note that the final exam is mandatory.  It will count as 1/5 of your final grade.  Failure to complete the final exam or plagiarism on the final may result in course failure.

The Syllabus

Unit 1:  What makes a good story?:  Joseph Campbell and the Hero’s journey

In this unit, students will be introduced to Joseph Campbell, a well-renowned mythologist.  Students will use the information in this unit as a template for their study of Star Wars.

Primary texts:

• The Power of Myth , Part 1 (PBS documentary)

• “Creating the Myth” (Linda Seger)

Primary writing assignment:

• Note chart from documentary and text annotations

Unit 2:  Storytelling and film—are films the new “mythology”?

In this unit, students will come to an understanding of mythology and the role story plays in their lives.

First, students will come together to discuss the role story plays in their lives, especially stories involving the hero quest.  Then, after reviewing articles regarding story and film making, students will discuss the possibility that film is the new vehicle for the tenor of metaphor and myth.

Primary readings and viewings

• "The Art of Immersion:  Why Do We Tell Stories?" 

• “Storytelling in Context” 

• “You Won’t Live to See the Last Star Wars” (Adam Rogers) 

• TED lesson on metaphor

Primary writing

• Argument piece:  is film the new vehicle when discussing mythology and metaphor?  Why or why not?

Unit 3:  Which order is best to capture the mythological aspects and the hero’s quest?

Good question, right?  For this mini-unit, students will read and annotate the article “Watch Star Wars in the Best Order to Avoid Spoilers” from Forbes.  After identifying the claim and sub claims, and then assessing the quality of the argument through examples, students will craft their own argument regarding the BEST way to watch the film series.  This may determine the order we study the films in class.

Primary reading            

• “Watch Star Wars in the Best Order to Avoid Spoilers”  (JV Chamary ) 

Primary writing

• Argument paragraph(s)

Unit 4 or 5:  Star Wars:  Episodes I through III

In this unit, students will build on previous units to identify and discuss the mythological elements found in Episodes I through III.  In addition, students will be asked to identify the metaphor, hero, and anti-hero of the film arc.

Primary texts:

• TED lesson on the hero, OR

• TED lesson on the anti-hero

• Star Wars, Episodes I – III

Primary writing assignments:

• Campbell chart for EACH film

• Paragraph of analysis regarding Anakin and the concept of the anti-hero

MIDTERM WRITING ASSIGNMENT:  in class, one block

Unit 4 or 5:  Hero VS Anti-hero

In this unit, students will bridge analysis of the hero from Anakin to Luke Skywalker. 

Primary texts:

• TED lesson on the hero OR

• TED lesson on the anti-hero

• “Star Wars:  A Myth for Our Time” (Andrew Gordon)

• Star Wars, Episodes IV – VI

Primary Writing assignments:

• Campbell chart for EACH film

• Analysis paragraph regarding the hero of the cycle

Unit 6:  What does this all mean…?

In this final unit, students will pull course materials together in preparation for the final exam.

Primary text

• Star Wars:  The Legacy Revealed (documentary from the History Channel)

Primary Writing

• Notes for the final exam