We’ve all grown up with some version of traditional stories in our midst: folk and fairy tales, myths about how the world (and its inhabitants) have come to be, even romances depicting knights in shining armor who win the hands of damsels in distress. These stories appeal not just to children but to those of us wanting to understand our world and how it works. By reading, conversing, and writing about this literature, we will shed light on the following questions: how are heroes made, and what makes behavior heroic (or not)? What roles do women play in our traditional stories, why these roles and not others, and to what extent can female characters be heroes of their own narratives? What do these traditional stories have to say about good and evil, gender, relationships, leadership, communities, religious doctrine and spirituality, love, power, fear, and human failings or strengths? What can we learn from these traditional stories to understand, and even address, the problems (large and small) facing our beautiful but fraught world? Finally, what can the disciplines of cultural criticism, psychology, anthropology, sociology, feminist theory, and history add to our understanding of these traditional stories? Through lively discussions, several writing assignments, a research paper, weekly readings, and group work, you will hone your skills in analytical writing, critical thinking, close reading, oral participation, and presentations. Welcome to the fun, inviting, and complex world of traditional stories!