M.A./Ph.D. in Mythological Studies Program at Pacifica Graduate Institute
What coursework do folklore and mythology programs cover?
Each institution has its own requirements for a folklore and mythology program’s specific course work. It may also depend on the department under which the program is housed if offered at the undergraduate level. As a result, the courses offered by various programs in folklore and mythology frequently share certain traits and cover subjects like:
What is a folklore and mythology degree?
An academic credential in the study of past and present cultures through the foundational stories, documents, and artifacts they’ve passed down through generations is a folklore and mythology degree, also known as a degree in mythological studies. Mythology frequently makes an effort to explain how the world began, interpret natural phenomena, or impart a moral lesson. It is typically based on ancient religious or spiritual beliefs. As a result, it can reveal how individuals and groups have perceived the world and how they define themselves in relation to it and other individuals and groups.
Folklore and mythology are available as academic degree subjects at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, though the field may not be as popular as others. The program may operate under a variety of departments in the humanities and social sciences, including anthropology, sociology, classical studies, philosophy and religion, English, and history, depending on the institution.
What can you do with a folklore and mythology degree?
There are numerous career opportunities open to those who graduate with a degree in folklore and mythology, just as there are various academic approaches to these subjects. For those who have a master’s or doctoral degree in the relevant field, this is especially true. The following professions may benefit from having a background in mythology and folklore:
History
Folklore and mythology are topics that have to do with the past, which belongs to history. Understanding historical events such as migrations, societal changes, and conflicts with other groups is made easier by understanding ancient beliefs, especially those that still have an impact on cultures today. As a result, obtaining a degree in folklore and mythology could be a great starting point for a career as a history teacher. A bachelor’s degree in the field would serve as a good foundation for graduate work with a focus in education, while an advanced degree might position you for employment at the collegiate level.
An alternative history-based career would be as a historian. A degree in folklore and mythology could prepare you for work in ancient history, art history, folklore, or the histories of particular cultures or groups of people. There are many specializations among historians.
Literature
Folklore and mythology courses are sometimes taught by the English department at institutions that offer those courses. The majority of folktales and myths were once oral traditions, but they were able to endure by being recorded and disseminated as literature. A folklore and mythology program can give students the literary training typical of English majors, including:
All of these abilities would be useful for freelance writing, journalism, and academic careers.
Anthropology and archaeology
The study of cultures and societies, and how they have evolved, is called anthropology. Knowledge of folklore and mythology would be beneficial for an anthropological career because they are the foundations of all cultures. Understanding cultural stories can reveal the values and practices of long-gone peoples, so it would be especially relevant to cultural anthropology—the study of the customs, beliefs, and traditions of past groups of people.
One of the main subfields of anthropology, archaeology, would benefit from a degree in folklore and mythology. The goal of archaeology is to understand past cultures through their artifacts, such as their tools, structures, and artwork, which can also shed light on previously unknown aspects. For instance, the discovery of large quantities of domestic pottery with deistic imagery may indicate that the culture from which it originates was predominantly religious, which may help to put other information about their existence into perspective.
Gaming
A sector of the technology sector called “gaming” is focused on creating and marketing video games. An academic background in myths and folktales can be helpful for a consultation role with a game developer, as many well-known gaming franchises draw from mythology for the plots and premises of their stories. Alternately, combining a degree in folklore and mythology with expertise in game design could result in a high-paying position in development or engineering.
Where can professionals with a folklore and mythology degree work?
Folklore and mythology specialists frequently work in a range of contexts, including but not restricted to:
Universities
Many folklore and mythology students go on to earn advanced degrees in the field, giving them the credentials to instruct at the university level. They may instruct courses in folklore, mythology, or related disciplines like ancient history, comparative literature, visual art, music, or religious studies in their capacity as professors. Some graduates in folklore and mythology may also work in research capacities at universities, supervising academic initiatives that draw funding and increase enrollment.
Museums
History-trained professionals, such as historians and folklorists, may find employment as archivists or curators. Curators choose exhibitions to display and are in charge of overseeing their preservation and presentation, while archivists are in charge of determining the significance and value of a piece of art or artifact. In either case, it’s crucial to comprehend the context from which an item derives to offer the best educational experience—knowledge that a student of folklore and mythology is likely to have.
Nonprofit organizations
Knowing the value of cultural tales from the past can help to highlight the significance of tales like these in a more contemporary era. Therefore, experts who are familiar with folklore and myths may find employment with nonprofit organizations like folklore societies. These organizations work to preserve the customs, creative expressions, and histories of indigenous peoples as well as modern communities. Along with these, they also document and preserve accents, vernaculars, and cultural trends.
FAQ
Is there a degree in Greek mythology?
According to what positions mythology and folklore degrees prepare graduates for more specifically, the following positions are most frequently obtained with these degrees: Ethnomusicologist. Literature Professor.
What is the study of mythology called?
Greek mythology imparts knowledge about the gods, heroes, the nature of the past, and the ritualistic practices of the Greeks. Studying abroad gives students the chance to see the ruins of the civilization they are studying, and universities in the UK offer this degree far more frequently than do institutions in the United States.
How do you become a mythologist?
Folkloristics, the study of folklore, is the study of human expressive culture and covers a wide range of topics, such as myths, legends, folktales, and other types of literature as well as proverbs, jokes, jump-rope rhymes, and material culture.
