神話，並非如一般人所認為的，僅只反映出一民族未臻文明階段前之原始思維與宗教性格。事實正好相反。一民族之文明發展、乃至其思維模式，往往從作為始點的神話階段便已奠定了基礎。中西方神話思想的差異，因而從一開始，便已決定雙方文明往後截然不同的發展走向（中國文化之發展固非始於神話，然而仍可從目前所能閱讀到的神話故事及文獻中，比較其與西方神話思維的實質差異）。閱讀神話，實可有這層意義及認識。神話故而並非只是單純對於神靈世系或神靈性格的描述、非只反映了神話作者之想像力或創造力；而更直接反映了一民族文明之思維方式、及其看待世界與人類存在處境時之一種真理觀法。而這種觀法，直至文明的今日，仍然起著主導性之影響及作用。
本課程的設計，試圖透過對中西方神話之閱讀，從中說明、展示在每個神話故事背後所蘊含的內在意義與精神，並作出比較與整理。讓同學能進而了解神話內涵更為深遠且嚴肅之意義；同時對於神話作者在傳述這些神話時之心懷與真實用意，能有相應的認識，從中對自我之生命與價值觀、人生態度有所反省。期能藉由神話的閱讀，啟發學員的思考能力及對於自我人生的省思。
課程具體之教學目標如下：
1.透過中西方神話經典的導讀，使同學們瞭解神話思維對於中西雙方文明所產生的決定性影響及意義。
2.透過若干主題式的討論，例如對中西方神話在創世問題、力量觀、婚姻觀、以及對於文明看法的差異情形進行分析與解說，使同學們瞭解神話思想對於現代社會的影響力與指示作用。
3.透過小組分組報告的方式，教導同學們針對主題進行資料蒐集與整理的基本能力，以及表達、思辨、提問反應、分析整合、台風等諸向能力，同時培養同學們團隊分工合作的精神。

Myths, as most people think, do not merely reflect the primitive thinking and religious character of a nation before it reaches the stage of civilization. Quite the opposite is true. The development of a nation's civilization and even its mode of thinking often have its foundation laid in the mythical stage as the starting point. The differences between Chinese and Western mythological thinking have determined the completely different development directions of the two civilizations from the very beginning (the development of Chinese culture did not begin with mythology, but the essential differences between it and Western mythological thinking can still be compared from the mythological stories and documents that can be read at present). Reading mythology can indeed have this meaning and understanding. Therefore, myths are not simply descriptions of the lineage or character of gods, nor do they only reflect the imagination or creativity of the myth authors; they also directly reflect the way of thinking of a nation's civilization and its view of the truth when looking at the world and human existence. And this view still plays a leading influence and role until today's civilization.
The design of this course attempts to explain and display the inner meaning and spirit behind each mythical story through the reading of Chinese and Western mythology, and to compare and organize it. This allows students to further understand the more profound and serious meaning of myths; at the same time, they can have a corresponding understanding of the author's intentions and true intentions when telling these myths, and reflect on their own life, values, and attitude towards life. It is expected that through the reading of myths, students' thinking ability and reflection on their own lives will be inspired.
The specific teaching objectives of the course are as follows:
1. Through the introduction of Chinese and Western mythological classics, students can understand the decisive influence and significance of mythological thinking on Chinese and Western civilizations.
2. Through several thematic discussions, such as analyzing and explaining the differences between Chinese and Western mythology on creation issues, concepts of power, concepts of marriage, and views on civilization, students can understand the influence and guiding role of mythological thought on modern society.
3. Through group reports, students are taught the basic ability to collect and organize information on the topic, as well as expression, thinking, questioning and response, analysis and integration, typhoon and other abilities, and at the same time cultivate the spirit of teamwork and division of labor among students.

Hesiod Epic Cycle Homerica H.G. Evelyn-White Harvard University Press 1959
荷馬（Homer）：《伊利亞特》、《奧德賽》，貓頭鷹出版社，2004
赫西俄德（Hesiod）：《神譜》、《工作與時日》，臺灣商務印書館，1999
讓‧皮埃爾‧韋爾南(Jean Pierre Vernant)：《神話與政治之間》，三聯書店，2001
袁珂：《神話論文集》，上海古籍出版社，1982
袁珂：《中國古代神話》，北京，中華書局，1981
聞一多：《神話研究》，成都，巴蜀書社，2002

Hesiod Epic Cycle Homerica H.G. Evelyn-White Harvard University Press 1959
Homer: "The Iliad", "The Odyssey", Owl Press, 2004
Hesiod: "Theogony", "Works and Days", Taiwan Commercial Press, 1999
Jean Pierre Vernant: "Between Myth and Politics", Joint Publishing House, 2001
Yuan Ke: "Collected Essays on Mythology", Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House, 1982
Yuan Ke: "Ancient Chinese Myths", Beijing, Zhonghua Book Company, 1981
Wen Yiduo: "Myth Research", Chengdu, Bashu Publishing House, 2002