Jung 105: Jung and Mythology

In this course we will explore Jung’s understanding of mythology from both a practical and a theoretical perspective. We will also explore how subsequent Jungians have expanded on Jung’s theory of mythology and employed it in different ways.

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Discover how mythology reveals the architecture of the collective unconscious

Jung recognized that ancient myths mirror the developmental patterns of the human psyche – offering practical tools for understanding dreams, amplifying symbols, and navigating the individuation process

This course explores Jung's revolutionary understanding of mythology as a reflection of the deep unconscious. While working at the Burgholzli psychiatric hospital, Jung noticed striking parallels between his patients' hallucinations and world mythology – a discovery that led to his theory of the collective unconscious and his break with Freud. Jung saw myths not as primitive explanations of nature, but as ‘original revelations of the preconscious psyche, involuntary statements about unconscious psychological happenings.’ This eight-module course traces Jung's development from his early observations to his mature understanding of how myths function both therapeutically and culturally. You'll learn the practical application of mythology in clinical work through amplification techniques, explore important myths like Oedipus, Amor and Psyche, and Isis and Osiris, and study Jungian-oriented theorists including Joseph Campbell and Mircea Eliade. The course examines mythology's relationship to dreams, active imagination, fairy tales, and alchemy, while addressing the psychological consequences of myth's loss in contemporary culture.

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Your instructor for each of these courses:

Senior Instructor

James R. Newell, Ph.D.

James Newell is an educator, counselor, personal coach, professional musician, and the director of the Depth Psychology Alliance. James earned his master’s degree in Pastoral Counseling and Theology from Vanderbilt University Divinity School, with a focus on Jungian psychology. He earned his doctorate in History of Religions from the Vanderbilt University Graduate School of Religion. James has taught online and face to face courses for Central Michigan University, Western Kentucky University, Excelsior College, Thomas Edison State University, and other institutions.
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What others are saying...

Dr. James Newell is a gifted teacher

Bonnie Bright, PhD, founder of the Depth Psychology Alliance

Dr. James Newell is a gifted teacher and scholar who has effectively organized an impressive amount of detailed research and information into a series of powerful classes and courses on Jung and Jung’s psychology, now available on Depth Psychology Academy. Students at all levels can gain a depth of understanding about how Jung’s ideas can change our lives and our world as Dr. Newell explains each topic very clearly and at exactly the right pace for students of all levels to take it in.

Dr. James Newell is highly knowledgeable in Jungian Psychology

Monica Flores, Ed.D

Dr. James Newell is highly knowledgeable in Jungian Psychology. I learned so much from him about Jung and Jungian psychology when I began taking courses in depth psychology from the Depth Psychology Alliance online courses. Dr. Newell is open-minded and consistent. He has a smooth voice that can hold anyone’s attention. I enthusiastically recommend taking these courses through the Depth Psychology Academy.

James is a knowledgeable and caring instructor with an engaging teaching style

Ann Amberg, MCS, Transpersonal Leadership Consultant

I highly recommend Dr. James Newell’s courses. Upon completion of my certificate in Depth Psychology I had gained the confidence, focus and knowledge to support my success in my current PhD program in Jungian and Archetypal Studies at Pacifica Graduate Institute. James is a knowledgeable and caring instructor with an engaging teaching style. All of the Depth Psychology Alliance courses I took: Introduction to Jungian Psychology, Active Imagination, Fairy Tales, Dreams, and many more, were phenomenal and I am most grateful for the opportunity to study with James.

The courses I have taken with Dr. Newell have perfectly prepped me for my graduate studies in psychoanalysis

Nirlap Bettenhauser, student

This is an outstanding educational program where one can learn multiple areas of Jungian Psychology. These courses are very well structured with an appropriate course load and high quality texts. Plus the price is incredibly reasonable. The courses I have taken with Dr. Newell have been intellectually engaging and have perfectly prepped me for my graduate studies in psychoanalysis. Not something I expected to receive from the academy, but very grateful I did.

An Investment in Your Future

Engage with mythology as a living psychological language

This course builds on foundational Jungian concepts to show how cross-cultural mythic patterns correspond to psychological development. Through amplification techniques, you'll learn to recognize mythological motifs in dreams and understand how ancient peoples encoded wisdom about the psyche in story form. Explore how Jung's approach differs from mainstream theories of myth, and discover why familiarity with mythic patterns enhances inner work and cultural understanding.

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Course curriculum

1

Welcome to Jung 105: Jung and Mythology!
2

Module 1: The Mainstream Study of Myth
- M1/1: Learning and Assessment Activities
- M1/2: Video Lesson: The Mainstream Study of Myth
- M1/3: Video Lesson Quiz
- M1/4: Readings Quiz - (All questions are based on pages 3 - 24 in the textbook)
- M1/5: Module Assignments and Additional Resources
- M1/6: Additional, Optional Reading Resource for Study
- M1/7: Additional, Optional Reading Resource for Study
- M1/8: Additional, Optional Video
3

Module 2: Jung's Understanding of Mythology
- M2/1: Learning and Assessment Activities
- M2/2: Video Lesson: Jung's Understanding of Myth
- M2/3: Video Quiz
- M2/4: Readings Quiz - (All questions are based on pages 29 - 45 in the textbook)
- M2/3: Module Assignments and Additional Resources
- M2/4: An Additional, Optional Resource for Study
- M2/5: An Additional, Optional Resource for Study
- M2/6: An Additional, Optional Video Resource
- M2/7: An Additional, Optional Video Resource
4

Module 3: Applied Mythology
- M3/1: Learning and Assessment Activities
- M3/2: Video Lesson: Applied Mythology
- M3/3: Video Lesson Quiz
- M3/4: Readings Quiz - (All questions are based on pages 45 - 72 in the textbook)
- M3/5: Module Assignments and Additional Resources
- M3/6: An Additional, Optional Reading Resource for Study
- M3/7: An Additional, Optional Reading Resource for Study
- M3/8: An Additional, Optional Reading Resource for Study
- M3/9: An Additional, Optional Reading Resource for Study
- M3/10: An Additional, Optional Video Resource
- M3/11: An Additional, Optional Video Resource
- M3/12: An Additional, Optional Video Resource
5

Module 4: Some Important Myths
- M4/1: Learning and Assessment Activities
- M4/2: Video Lesson: Some Important Myths
- M4/3: Video Lesson Quiz
- M4/4: Readings Quiz - (All questions are based on pages 72 - 87 in the textbook)
- M4/3: Module Assignments and Additional Resources
- M4/4 Additional Online Resources
- M4/5: An Additional, Optional Reading Resource for Study
- M4/6: An Additional, Optional Reading Resource for Study
- M4/7: Additional, Optional Reading Resources for Study
- M4/8: Additional, Optional Video Resources
6

Module 5: Joseph Campbell
- M5/1: Learning and Assessment Activities
- M5/2: Video Lesson: Joseph Campbell
- M5/3: Module 5 Video Quiz
- M5/4: Module 5 Readings Quiz - (All questions are based on pages 91 - 115 in the textbook)
- M5/3: Module Assignments and Additional Resources
- M5/4: Additional, Optional Reading Resource for Study
- M5/5: Additional, Optional Reading Resource for Study
- M5/6: Additional, Optional Video
7

Module 6: Mircea Eliade
- M6/1: Learning and Assessment Activities
- M6/2: Video Lesson: Mircea Eliade
- M6/3: Module 6 Video Lesson Quiz
- M6/4: Module 6 Readings Quiz - (All questions are based on pages 116-143 in the textbook)
- M6/5: Module Assignments and Additional Resources
- M6/6: Additional, Optional Video
8

Module 7: World Religions
- M7/1: Learning and Assessment Activities
- M7/2: Module 7 Video Lesson: World Religions
- M7/3: Module 7 Video Lesson Quiz
- M7/4: Module 7 Readings Quiz (All questions are based on pages 143 - 160 in the textbook).
- M7/5: Module Assignments and Additional Resources
- M7/6: An Additional, Optional Reading Resource for Study
- M7/7: An Additional, Optional Reading Resource for Study
- M7/8: An Additional, Optional Reading Resource for Study
- M7/9: Additional, Optional Video
9

Module 8: The Loss of Myth in Culture
- M8/1: Learning and Assessment Activities
- M8/2: Module 8 Video Lesson: The Loss of Myth in Culture
- M8/3: Module 8 Video Lesson Quiz
- M8/4: Module 8 Readings Quiz - (All questions are based on pages 165 - 173 in the textbook)
- M8/5: Module Assignments and Additional Resources.
- M8/6: Additional, Optional Resource for Study
- M8/7: Additional, Optional Resource for Study
- M8/8: Additional, Optional Video

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Learn at your own pace

This course serves students of Jungian psychology, therapists and counselors, educators, artists, writers, and anyone interested in the psychological foundations of mythology and religion. Jung spent years studying comparative mythology and world religions before writing his groundbreaking treatise Symbols of Transformation, recognizing that myths help amplify dream symbols and illuminate the developmental stages of individuation. Whether you're deepening your clinical practice, enriching your creative work, or pursuing personal psychological literacy, this course provides essential tools for engaging mythology as a bridge between consciousness and the collective unconscious. Enroll now to explore how myths mirror the psyche and support psychological maturation.

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