a cartoon brain, surrounded by tools and images from world mythology (1).jpg
a cartoon brain, surrounded by tools and images from world mythology (1).jpg

Explore Folklore: The Monster Within: How Folklore Explains Stress and Anxiety

$100.00

Before modern psychology, how did humanity make sense of the world’s most powerful and confusing emotions? They used mythology and belief systems! 

In this 8-week course, we will analyze myths and folklore from around the globe as a lens into universal human struggles. We will investigate how ancient stories—from Greek tragedies to Japanese legends—provide surprising psychological insights into feelings like complex grief, crippling anxiety, and intense envy. (Note: The discussion of these themes will be age-appropriate and focused on normalizing feelings and encouraging self-reflection, not on diagnosing conditions.)

Students will learn to act as a "Mythological Analyst," examining the choices of figures like King Midas and Icarus to understand contemporary mental health themes such as obsession, resilience, and the search for identity. This class focuses on the fact that complex emotions are normal and uses compelling global stories as a tool for self-reflection and deeper empathy.

Before modern psychology, how did humanity make sense of the world’s most powerful and confusing emotions? They used mythology and belief systems! 

In this 8-week course, we will analyze myths and folklore from around the globe as a lens into universal human struggles. We will investigate how ancient stories—from Greek tragedies to Japanese legends—provide surprising psychological insights into feelings like complex grief, crippling anxiety, and intense envy. (Note: The discussion of these themes will be age-appropriate and focused on normalizing feelings and encouraging self-reflection, not on diagnosing conditions.)

Students will learn to act as a "Mythological Analyst," examining the choices of figures like King Midas and Icarus to understand contemporary mental health themes such as obsession, resilience, and the search for identity. This class focuses on the fact that complex emotions are normal and uses compelling global stories as a tool for self-reflection and deeper empathy.

Academic Fine-Print for Grownups:

This class explores the profound and lasting cultural impact of world mythology and folklore, using these ancient narratives to analyze common human struggles. We will examine how heroes, gods, and legendary creatures personify complex psychological states, providing timeless insight into the "monsters within" us all: grief, anxiety, obsession, and the search for identity. Through weekly case studies, students will learn to decode symbolism and identify patterns of behavior across cultures, connecting classical tales to contemporary discussions of emotional well-being.

Learning Goals:

  • Analyze the historical and cultural context of various myths to understand how different societies expressed difficult emotions like anxiety, grief, and shame.

  • Evaluate the choices made by mythological figures (such as Icarus, Orpheus, and King Midas) to identify the consequences of traits like hubris, impulsivity, and obsession.

  • Examine the concepts of isolation and inner conflict by tracing how mythological figures deal with feelings of being ostracized or wrestling with personal flaws.

  • Compare and contrast universal mental health themes, focusing on narrative arcs of recovery and growth (resilience), and practice using mythological metaphors for self-reflection and empathy.

For your Curriculum Records, we will cover:

  • Historical Context

  • Critical Thinking

  • Classic Literature

  • Philosophy

  • Ethics

  • Creative Writing

Dates and Location:

Section A: Ages 8+ will meet Mondays from 2-3pm Eastern, and will run from Monday, January 12, 2026 through Monday, March 2, 2026. All 8 classes will be held over Zoom.

Class Etiquette: I expect and require gentle, respectful language in my classes, and ask that all students come to class prepared to treat each other with kindness. These classes are a great opportunity for your kiddos to practice social/soft skills, with the underlying perspective that we’re all in this together.