Mythology, the Study of Comparative Mythology

Description
Mythology: The word Myth is in English simply a word for Story. Over the years it has come to be understood as a collection of early stories usually Greek in origin. The word Mythology is then the study of the Story or the Storyteller. The word can also refer to either the study of myths, or to a body of myths. For example, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece. The term "myth" is often used colloquially to refer to a false story, or fiction by our common English usage.<br/> <br/>Comparative mythology is the systematic comparison of myths from different cultures. It seeks to discover underlying themes that are common to the myths of multiple cultures. In some cases, comparative mythology uses the similarities between different mythologies to argue that those mythologies may have had a common source. This common source may be a common source of inspiration, such as the flood (Noah) or perhaps the arrival of a great comet. Sometimes it’s a natural phenomenon (rainbows etc.) that inspired similar myths in different cultures.<br/><br/>I teach this class each year so please sign up today to have your spot in the class.<br/>Michael T. Snidecor, Ph.D.<br/>M.T. Snidecor, Ph.D.<br/>ProfessorSnidecor@gmail.com<br/>