Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences · Psychology · Undergraduate
Course Objective
This course explores the intersection of psychology and mythology, aiming to understand the psychological foundations of the human mind, behavior, and cultural beliefs. Within the scope of the course, students will: Learn the philosophical and historical foundations of psychology and the relationship between myth and logos; Analyze psychoanalytic approaches (Freud, Jung) through myths; Examine Greek, Scandinavian, Persian, and Turkish mythologies in the context of archetypes and heroic themes; Compare universal archetypes and common themes across cultures; Understand psychological development and symbolism through fairy tales, legends, and modern myths; Explore the relationship between myth and ritual and the psychological power of symbols; Analyze individual storytelling by creating their own personal mythologies.
Course Content
The purpose of this course is to enable students to: Grasp the relationship between psychology and mythology; Understand the influence of myths and archetypes on human behavior and psychological processes; Comparatively analyze mythological themes and symbols in different cultures; and Evaluate their own psychological processes and personal stories within a mythological framework.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge of Psychology and Mythology: They will be able to explain the philosophical foundations of psychology and its relationship to mythology.
- Applying Psychoanalytic Approaches: They will be able to analyze the theories of Freud and Jung through myths.
- Understanding Mythological Themes: They will be able to explain characters, heroes, and themes in Greek, Norse, Persian, and Turkish mythology.
- Universal Archetypes and Cultural Themes: They will be able to recognize and compare common archetypes and themes across different cultures.
- The Psychological Power of Symbols: They will be able to analyze the psychological effects of fairy tales, legends, and rituals.
- Examining Modern Myths: They will be able to recognize and interpret modern myths in cinema, literature, and popular culture.
- Developing a Personal Mythology: They will be able to analyze their own stories and create their own personal mythologies.
- Critical Thinking and Analysis: They will be able to critically evaluate the connections between mythology and psychology.
Core Area Distribution
Teaching Methods
Assessment & Evaluation
ECTS / Workload
| Activity | Quantity | Duration (h) | Total Workload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Course Duration (Including Exam Week) | 16 | 1 | 16 |
| Out of Class Study Period | 16 | 7 | 112 |
| Midterm | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Quiz | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Assignment | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Practice | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Final | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Course Schedule
| Week | Subject | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction: The Intersection of Psychology and Mythology | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 2 | The Journey from Mythos to Logos & The Philosophical Foundations of Psychology | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 3 | Psychoanalytic Approaches: Freud, Jung, and Myths | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 4 | Greek Mythology I: Creation, Gods, and Human Nature | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 5 | Greek Mythology II: Heroes, Tragedies, and the Quest for Self | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 6 | Norse Mythology: The Psychology of Fate, War, and Chaos | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 7 | Persian (Iranian) Mythology: Dualism and the Battle Between Good and Evil | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 8 | Midterm Exam Week | Course Slides |
| 9 | Turkic Mythology: Shamanism, Nature, and Cosmic Balance | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 10 | Universal Archetypes: Common Themes Across Different Cultures | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 11 | Fairy Tales, Legends, and Psychological Development | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 12 | Modern Myths: Cinema, Literature, and Popular Culture | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 13 | Myth and Ritual: The Psychological Power of Symbols | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 14 | Personal Mythology: Understanding and Creating Our Own Story | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 15 | End-of-Term Evaluation | Reading the relevant section of the book |
| 16 | Final Exam Week | Course Slides |