Now Playing: Learning Mythology Through Film
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Author Description
Designed specifically to accompany Introduction to Mythology, Fourth Edition, Now Playing: Learning Mythology Through Film uses a mass medium that is interactive, familiar, and easily accessible to illustrate how mythological concepts play out in a variety of situations.Integrating clips and descriptions from thirty-eight films and television episodes, this vibrant resource includes both classics and recently released material. With Now Playing, your students will learn about the mythological concepts presented in such films as The Wizard of Oz (1939), Oedipus Rex (1967), The Matrix (1999), Serenity (2005), and Clash of the Titans (2010). This edition features two new feature films, Stargate (1994) and The King of Masks (1996), and three new TV episodes, from Daniel Boone (1970), Once Upon a Time (2012), and Marvel's Agents of Shield (2014). Each entry includes details about the mythological concepts featured within the film or TV episode, a brief synopsis and questions for discussion or written homework assignments.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This text investigates how contemporary mass media, specifically film and television, serves as an accessible vehicle for illustrating and reinforcing foundational mythological concepts. Author Gail Rosen provides a pedagogical framework designed to bridge the gap between abstract mythological theory and modern cultural narratives. By utilizing a curated selection of visual media, the book offers students a practical method for identifying archetypes, motifs, and narrative structures in familiar contexts. The text functions as a supplementary resource to academic mythology curricula, emphasizing the continuity of ancient storytelling patterns in current entertainment.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of thirty-eight distinct films and television episodes
- Pedagogical tools including synopses and discussion questions for each entry
- Categorization of mythological concepts applied to specific scenes
- Integration of both classic cinema and contemporary television series
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide a comprehensive history of mythology itself
- It does not offer exhaustive film criticism beyond the scope of mythological application
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Educators frequently utilize this resource as a practical bridge to engage students with complex mythological frameworks through familiar visual media. Experts note that the text is specifically structured for classroom application, providing clear, actionable discussion prompts that facilitate student participation.
Page Count:
96
Publication Date:
2016-02-24
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0190263059
ISBN-13:
9780190263058
Mythology
Education
Subjects
Media Studies
Film Studies
