The Mythic Trickster:
How Tricksters Establish What it Means to be Human by Disregarding Cultural Boundaries

All-in-all, trickster figures are a fascinating part of the mythology of many cultures. Despite their taboo breaking, their self-centered pursuit of satisfying their uncontrolled appetites, and their anti-social behavior in general, tricksters are often very important for the reinforcing of religious and social boundaries and rules. Tricksters focus attention on the central beliefs of a culture by profaning these beliefs. Tricksters highlight social values by breaking them and then reaffirm the rules of society by demonstrating what happens when you break the rules. Tricksters challenge the accepted ways of doing things and highlight the possibilities for creative reflection and change. Tricksters challenge authority but end up reinforcing the authority.

COURSE FORMAT
This is an interactive online seminar course that meets weekly over 6 weeks. Live online sessions will use the zoom platform.

COURSE MATERIALS
This course will have reading materials supplied by the instructor
Registrants will receive access to the course website with the materials and the zoom links about two weeks before the course starts.

COURSE CANCELLATION POLICY
Registrants can cancel and receive a full refund up to February 26. After February 26, there will be no refunds issued.
Yale Alumni College courses are subject to schedule changes as well as cancellations. If Yale Alumni College must cancel any course prior to its start due to low enrollment, you will be notified of this by the cancellation date. Upon cancellation of a course, registrants may transfer their registration to another available course or have the registration fee fully refunded.

In the event of a disruption to the original course schedule, including but not limited to; Professor absence, hazardous weather conditions, or local travel restrictions, Yale Alumni College will do its best to reschedule the missed class for the week immediately following the original end date at the same course time and day.