Joseph Campbell

Explore

As we embark on our semester study of Joseph Campbell's theories regarding literature, mythology, and life, our first task is to learn more about Campbell and his ideas. Complete each of the following tasks and write a reflection in your blog.

1. Who was Joseph Campbell?

   Begin with Joseph Campbell's biography on Wikipedia. What did you find interesting in his biography? Did you click on any of the articles linked in his biography? Which ones? What did you learn from those articles?

2. What is an archetype?

   We are going to be talking about archetypes a lot this semester, so it will help to know what one is. First, read this Wikipedia article on Jungian archetypes, then read about each of the following archetypes:

   • The Self
   • The Anima and Animus
   • The Shadow
   • The Trickster
   • The Wise Old Man

   Think of the literature you have read. Have you seen any of these archetypes in characters in this literature? Which ones? Which books/characters/films have you seen them in? How do they fit the description of the archetype?

3. The Hero with a Thousand Faces

   The Hero with a Thousand Faces is considered Campbell's seminal treatise on the theory of the monomyth, and it will form the centerpiece of our studies. Read this introductory article at Wikipedia about the book. What piques your interest?

4. The Joseph Campbell Foundation

   Explore the Web site of the Joseph Campbell Foundation. What work do they do? What did you find on the site that was interesting or provocative?

5. Mind Map of Campbell's Ideas

   The image below is Austin Kleon's mind map of Campbell's ideas (click on it for a larger version).

   

   Keeping in mind we have not begun to study Campbell in-depth yet, and this mind map is obviously the work of someone who has studied Campbell, what details interest you?

Now what?

Respond to the questions in your blog, also adding your responses to the following:

• What do you think of Campbell's ideas after this introduction?
• What confuses you?
• What interests you?
• Are you concerned or perhaps offended by anything you read? What?
• Feel free to add any thoughts or questions not covered in this list

Credits and References

The image of Joseph Campbell was found at Empire Screenwriting Source and is used in accordance with fair use for educational purposes.

The Joseph Campbell Mind Map was created by Austin Kleon and is used in accordance with a Creative Commons License.

Creative Commons License

Joseph Campbell: A Scavenger Hunt for 'The Hero with a Thousand Faces' Students by Dana Huff is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.

Last updated September 7, 2008