Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word from Udemy

We begin by exploring the power and origin of sounds and words. It is fascinating to see the impact that sound has on the material world as witnessed by the use of Chladni Plates in science or the images recorded by Dr Emoto’s experiments on the molecular structure of water. We will experience the personal impact of ancient Sanskrit mantras and realise that as children we ask about our own births but as young adults we question how everything came to be.

We will explore the ancient mythologies of the world during this course, discovering parallels in many of the ancient civilizations – exploring tales from the Old Testament, the Indian Vedas, Chinese I Ching, Mesopotamia’s Gilgamesh, The Torah and the Quran. Each student will have the opportunity to research and present the creation myth of a different culture, you will also invent your very own creation mythology.

In Section 4 we steep ourselves in Ancient Greek mythology. We will unpack the Olympian pantheon as examples of archetypes and identify our own strengths and challenges in them. Each student chooses a God or Goddess that resonates with them and creates a collage.

We become familiar with Homer and his epic of the ten year Trojan War as recorded in “The Iliad,” we then launch into the remarkable journey of Odysseus and explore our own lives as examples of The Hero’s Journey. As we study and reflect on “The Odyssey,” journaling at every turn, we face our fears and make peace with the masculine and feminine aspects of ourselves as symbolised by the various magical creatures Odysseus encounters during his ten years wandering.

In our final section we trace the many tributaries of the English language, beginning some 100 000 years ago. We see how each new culture brought something to bear, from the Gaelic speaking Celts, to the Romans, Angles, Saxons, Jutes, Vikings, Normans and eventually how the language mysteriously evolved without the assistance of invasions.

We beat out the rhythm of Old English in “Beowulf” and sing-song through the bawdy Middle English of some of Chaucer’s “Canterbury Tales,” eventually enjoying the birth of Modern English in Shakespeare’s writing. You will come to experience English as a World Language that is always evolving.

All reading material is included in the Resources. I have included MP3s of all my lectures should you prefer to listen rather than watch, although some include slides. All you need is a dedicated journal.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Deep soulful understanding of yourself and others, plus loads of info!
Realization of the power of sound & the origins of language.
Knowledge of the seminal world creation myths.

Recognizing ancient greek archetypes & the odyssey as an example of the hero's journey.
Coming to grips with the fascinating history of the english language.

Deep soulful understanding of yourself and others, plus loads of info!
Realization of the power of sound & the origins of language.
Knowledge of the seminal world creation myths.
Recognizing ancient greek archetypes & the odyssey as an example of the hero's journey.
Coming to grips with the fascinating history of the english language.

Syllabus

An understanding of the origins of story & the English language

Let's experiment with the power of sound vibrations!

Where did language come from and why?

Personal Creation Myth

What do we learn from the earliest stories? Why have they stood the test of time? What do they share?

What do our earliest stories, preserved through the ages, passed down for thousands of years by word of mouth, have to tell us about ourselves?

The Creation Stories from the Torah, New Testament & Quran provide further insights into the notion of Logos, the Word.

Research another Culture's Creation Mythology

The transition from an oral tradition to the written word. What was recorded and why?

The trajectory of the Written Word starting in Ancient Egypt & China and ending with the Quran in 600AD.

An action-packed adventure that's stood the test of time. Dive into the oldest epic and discover some of the mysteries surrounding it in these two interesting articles.

What does the foundation of Western Civilization have to teach us about ourselves?

Hesiod's Theogeny composed in about 700BCE describes the origins of the world & the genealogy of the Greek Gods.

Carl Jung's concept of Archetypes is a useful tool to help understand the stories we tell about ourselves.

The mythological foundation of the Trojan War as recounted in The Iliad (be sure to look through the many and varied artists interpretations over the ages in the Resources).

The author of The Iliad & The Odyssey is shrouded in mystery. Some say he was a she, some say he was many, here is some context for these epics of Western Culture.

Collage your Archetype

What does this epic tell us about all stories & about ourselves? Using the Hero's Journey and our own journaling, we experience The Odyssey as an initiation into the deeper mysteries.

Our epic tale begins. Be sure to check out the Map & Plot Diagram to help you get orientated for the journey. The beautiful translation in hexameter that we will be referring to is under the Resources for Lecture 10.

Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey as applied to The Odyssey

Odysseus finds himself trapped on Calypso's Island for 7 years. What can we learn about our own stuck places?

The Stuck Place Journal

Instead of going straight home from Troy, Odysseus makes a Big Mistake by attacking Ismarus. Let's learn from our mistakes shall we?

The Blunder Journal

Ah, some peace...but the land of the lotus eaters might not be the refuge it appears. How do we escape our duties?

Lotus Visualization & Stream-of-Consciousness

A threshold guardian and the belly of the whale. Things get hairy and we take a good look at our own cyclopean tendencies.

Cyclops Journal

The bewitching sorceress Circe has a lot to teach us about the power of femininity.

Circe Journal

A harrowing journey into the Underworld where Odysseus learns some hard truths and is given the opportunity to be reborn.

Underworld Journal

The Sirens, Scylla & Charybdis

Home. A circuitous journey back to ourselves.

Final Journal

Understand the roots & development of English. Appreciate Beowulf's Old English, Chaucer's Middle English and Shakespeare's Modern English as part of the story that this World Language tells.

From pre-history through the Dark Ages, we trace the development of Old English. I am indebted to Bill Bryson's delightful "Mother Tongue" & "The Spirit of the English Language" by John H. Wulsin Jr for this Section.

This exciting epic illustrates the powerful 4 beat alliterative lines that are the heartbeat of English.

Old English Exercise

A language that is more recognisable as our own -- we look at how and why English evolved during the Middle Ages.

Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales still entertain with their ribald wit and insight into people and their quirks. Listen to the lilt of the iambic pentameter and his playful rhyming couplets.

Middle English Exercise

Shakespeare's English changed things in unexpected and revolutionary ways. Without any invasions this time English magically transforms into the language we know today.

This irreverent video by the Open University summarises the history of the English Language, which belongs to everyone.

Let's see how much you know about the History of the English Language!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

A journey through the origins and power of sounds and words

Explores the creation myths of various cultures, providing insights into our shared human experience

Utilizes the Hero's Journey framework to explore Homer's Odyssey, fostering self-reflection and understanding

Traces the development of the English language through history, showcasing its evolution and global impact

Suitable for curious minds seeking a multidisciplinary approach to storytelling, mythology, and language

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word with these activities:

Review the basics of acoustics

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Review the basic principles and concepts of acoustics to lay a strong foundation for further studies in sound and language.

Browse courses on Acoustics

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Revisit fundamental properties of sound, such as frequency, amplitude, and wavelength.
Explore different types of sound waves, including longitudinal and transverse waves.

Read 'The Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European and the Proto-Indo-European World'

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Gain a deeper understanding of the origins of language by exploring the Proto-Indo-European language and its relationship to the development of modern languages.

View The Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European... on Amazon

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Read and analyze the book's content.
Take notes on key concepts and ideas.
Discuss the book's findings with a study group or language learning partner.

Explore Interactive Language Learning Apps

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Enroll in a language learning app that provides interactive exercises and engaging content to supplement classroom learning.

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Research and choose a reputable language learning app that aligns with your learning goals.
Set aside dedicated time each week to complete lessons and exercises.
Take advantage of the app's features, such as pronunciation analysis and grammar drills.

Five other activities

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Attend a Language Exchange Meetup

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Participate in language exchange events to practice speaking and listening skills and connect with native speakers.

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Find a language exchange meetup in your area or online.
Attend the meetups regularly.
Engage in conversations with native speakers.
Share your own language and culture.

Engage in Pronunciation Practice

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Practice mimicking native speakers to improve pronunciation and enhance listening comprehension.

Browse courses on Pronunciation

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Listen to audio recordings of native speakers.
Record and compare your own pronunciation.
Work with a pronunciation coach or tutor.

Volunteer as a Language Tutor

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Strengthen your language skills and contribute to your community by volunteering as a language tutor for non-native speakers.

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Contact local community organizations or language learning centers to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Prepare lesson plans and materials for your students.
Regularly meet with your students to provide language instruction and support.

Language Immersion Project

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Immerse yourself in the target language by consuming media, interacting with native speakers, and practicing regularly.

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Establish a daily language practice routine.
Seek opportunities to interact with native speakers through online forums, language exchange apps, or in-person meetups.
Immerse yourself in the language through movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, and books.

Create a Language Learning Portfolio

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Document and showcase your language learning journey by creating a portfolio that includes writing samples, audio recordings, and other artifacts.

Browse courses on Language Skills

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Collect evidence of your language learning progress, such as graded assignments, written compositions, and audio recordings.
Create a digital or physical portfolio to organize and present your work.
Share your portfolio with others for feedback and encouragement.

Career center

Learners who complete Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mythologist

Mythologists study the myths and legends of different cultures. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word provides an opportunity to explore ancient Greek mythology and the creation myths of various world cultures. By understanding the origins and evolution of myths, mythologists can gain insights into the human experience and the role of storytelling in society.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mythologist

Historian

For a job as a historian, an understanding of ancient myths and the role of the English language throughout history is crucial. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word delves into creation myths from around the world, provides an overview of ancient Greek mythology and history, and traces the development of the English language from its origins to the present day. Completing this course will build a foundation for future historians.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Author

Authors often draw upon mythology, history, and language to craft their stories. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word provides an opportunity to explore these topics in depth. By understanding the origins of language and the power of sound, authors can gain insights that may enhance their writing. Additionally, the exploration of ancient myths and the Hero's Journey may provide inspiration for new storylines and character development.

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Linguist

Linguists study the structure and evolution of languages. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word provides opportunities to explore the history of the English language, the origins of language, and the power of sound. This course may be useful for aspiring linguists who wish to gain a broader understanding of the development and diversity of human languages.

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Creative Writer

Creative writers often draw upon mythology, history, and language to craft their stories. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word provides an opportunity to explore these topics in depth. By understanding the origins of language and the power of sound, creative writers can gain insights into the human experience and the role of storytelling in society. Additionally, the exploration of ancient myths and the Hero's Journey may provide inspiration for new storylines and character development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Writer

Teacher of English

Teachers of English need to have a strong understanding of the English language and its history. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word traces the history of the English language from its origins to the present day. Completing this course will build a foundation for future teachers of English who wish to teach the history and evolution of the English language.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher of English

Professor of English

Professors of English need to have a strong understanding of the English language and its history. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word traces the history of the English language from its origins to the present day. Completing this course will build a foundation for future professors of English who wish to teach the history and evolution of the English language.

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Interpreter

Interpreters need to have a deep understanding of language and culture in order to accurately convey messages between people who speak different languages. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word traces the history of the English language and explores the origins of language and sound. This course may be useful for aspiring interpreters who wish to gain a broader understanding of the role of language in human communication.

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Journalist

Journalists need to have a strong understanding of language and culture in order to effectively communicate information to the public. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word provides opportunities to explore the history of the English language, the origins of language, and the power of sound. This course may be useful for aspiring journalists who wish to gain a broader understanding of the role of language in society and the effective communication of information.

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Teacher

Teachers often need knowledge of history and mythology to paint a picture for students of the past. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word delves into ancient myths and provides opportunities to explore the Creation Stories of various world cultures. Completing this course will build a foundation for future educators who wish to teach the humanities.

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Anthropologist

Anthropologists study the cultures and societies of humans. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word provides opportunities to explore ancient Greek mythology, the creation stories of various world cultures, and the history of the English language. This course may be useful for aspiring anthropologists who wish to gain a broader understanding of the human experience and the role of language and culture in society.

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Archaeologist

Archaeologists study past cultures by excavating and examining artifacts. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word provides opportunities to explore ancient Greek mythology, the creation stories of various world cultures, and the history of the English language. This course may be useful for aspiring archaeologists who wish to gain a broader understanding of the human experience and the role of language and culture in society.

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Speech Pathologist

Speech pathologists often need to have a knowledge of history and mythology in order to understand the origins of language disorders. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word delves into the origins of language and provides opportunities to explore the creation myths of various world cultures. This course may be useful for speech pathologists who wish to gain a deeper understanding of the causes and treatments of language disorders.

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Poet

For an aspiring poet, the ability to draw upon mythology and history can enhance the quality of one's writing. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word offers in-depth exploration of ancient Greek mythology and creation myths from around the world. This course may be useful for poets who wish to deepen their understanding of the human experience.

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Museum curator

Museum curators often need to have a deep understanding of history and culture in order to interpret and present artifacts to the public. Waldorf High School Main Lesson: The Word provides opportunities to explore the origins of language, ancient Greek mythology, and the history of the English language. This course may be useful for aspiring museum curators who wish to gain a broader understanding of human history and culture.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator