Gods and Monsters: Understanding our Hopes and Fears
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Overview of the course:
When we think about the most powerful beings in our symbolic worlds, we come immediately to gods and monsters. While each is charged differently (positively and negatively), a closer look reveals that they actually exist on the same continuum. Gods represent our best hopes, while monsters symbolize our greatest fears, and hopes and fears live in our imagination. In this course, we examine the psychological and cultural meanings of this cultural process. We will draw from the academic disciplines of anthropology, literature, mythology, philosophy, politics, psychology, and sociology as we examine gods and monsters in various cultural expressions.
Instructor Bio:
Greg Salyer, Ph.D. is the President of PRS. For twenty-five years he has been an administrator and scholar in higher education institutions, but his highest calling has always been that of teacher. Dr. Salyer received his doctorate in interdisciplinary studies (literature, philosophy, religious studies) from Emory University.
