Questbound
Get ready to set sail with Odysseus and decipher the riddles of the Sphinx as we unlock the power of storytelling through the Hero’s Journey across civilizations!
Introduction
Embark on an epic adventure through the myths and legends of the past! Students will explore the Hero’s Journey—a timeless storytelling framework—through the lens of Ancient Civilizations and World Literature Fiction. From the trials of Greek demigods to the wisdom of Egyptian deities and the courage of African folk heroes, students will uncover how cultures across time have shaped the classic hero’s tale.
Through interactive readings, discussions, and creative projects, students will compare hero stories from diverse traditions, examining their themes, challenges, and transformations. The course will culminate in an exciting storytelling project, where students craft their own original story inspired by the hero’s journey and myths they’ve explored. Please expect to have reading requirements in this expedition.
Essential Questions
- How do myths and hero stories reflect the values, beliefs, and social structures of ancient civilizations?
- In what ways have different cultures shaped and retold the idea of a “hero” over time?
- What elements make up the Hero’s Journey, and how do they appear in stories across the world?
- How can we use storytelling to express identity, transformation, and universal themes?
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to independently use their learning to…
- Identify key stages of the Hero’s Journey and apply them to myths from various world cultures.
- Analyze how cultural context influences the traits, challenges, and outcomes of heroes in global literature.
- Compare and contrast hero archetypes and their roles across civilizations using textual evidence.
- Create an original myth or story that incorporates elements of the Hero’s Journey and reflects cultural or personal themes.