Some local schools are wondering if Mythology teachings should be taken out of the school curriculum. Is this going on in other places or just the Bible Belt states?
Hello Magickz. I may be in the "buckle of the bible belt" - Texas... I've taught for 14 years, and the last 7 the school board had approved my mythology class for 8th graders. This year it got cut because of "funding" and because it is not a high school credit class. Many 7th graders were upset to learn that it was no longer offered...
I am also on the State (TX) Revision of Curriculum board for History. In 2009, I listened as 3rd grade teachers and state board members took out myths and legends, but 7th grade English/Language Arts kept a small unit on Greek myths. 9th grade English/Lang Arts also reads Edith Hamilton's "Mythology." That's it as far as the state of Texas goes, which makes me very sad...
I think there is a definite place in schools for this kind of literature. I want to someday develop a Humanities class for secondary grades. If you consider that Social Studies is more than the study of History, the Humanities class could absorb and enrich the social studies curriculum by adding the literature, art, poetry and metaphorical creativity that kids are actually interested in.
My former students loved seeing connections from the ancient myths to current pop culture. We used Joseph Campbell's Hero formula and Carl Jung's archetypal studies to analyze Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Matrix, Pirates, etc. We would read myths, then develop a present-day soundtrack as if it were a movie. Their song choices were incredible and very creative. They read Greek, Celtic, Norse, Egyptian, Hindu and some Chinese and Japanese myths, and commented on why this wasn't taught again in another grade level. I believe the local and state governments need to listen to their constituents - or future voters - and acknowledge an interest and need for this type of class.