Welcome to SPACE, our adult continuing education program which offers interactive monthly courses for personal enrichment! Learn more here.
Joshua Sosa
Prospective SPACE Preceptor
Mythologist-in-Training, Brimming with Ideas
Joshua earned a BA in Classical Studies with a minor in Ancient Greek from Hunter College and an MA in Museum Studies from the CUNY School of Professional Studies, both in New York City. His interests are in comparative mythology, modern mythopoeia, and classical reception; these stem from his passion for world mythologies and his favorite franchises—Star Wars and Harry Potter.
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Highlighted Modules
All Modules
A Casual Look at Etymology in Paleontology
Discussion-based • Low intensity
Have you ever wondered what Tyrannosaurus Rex means? How about Basilosaurus? Deinosuchus? Gigantopithacus? Argentavis? Okay you have to know Megalodon, right? Well, if you are interested in learning about the meaning behind some of your favorite prehistoric animal names, then join me for this sit down discussion. No prior knowledge of a secondary language (namely Greek and Latin) is required. This module is intended to be a fun chat to help you better identify certain creatures the next time you head to a natural history museum -- or the next time the topic shows up on Jeopardy!
Intro to Classical Mythology
Mixed Lecture/Discussion • Medium intensity
As classical mythology is often the gateway into mythological studies, so too will this course be your gateway into classical mythology. We will explore the mythology of the Greco-Roman world in broad strokes, familiarizing ourselves with gods and heroes, before ending the module by dabbling in a bit of comparative mythological study. In doing so, we'll look at excerpts from a few classical authors (in translation), as well as some artifacts and possibly even some historical sites.
The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:
The module will follow an 8-session structure as shown below:
| Outline | 8-Session Structure |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Session 1: Welcome to Classical Mythology Lecture |
| Session 2: Discussion about the Myths of the Twelve(ish) Olympians | |
| Week 2 | Session 3: Living in a World of Humans and Gods Lecture |
| Session 4: Discussion about Myths of Love & Daring | |
| Week 3 | Session 5: Heroes & Demigods Lecture |
| Session 6: Discussion about Myths of Herakles | |
| Week 4 | Session 7: Comparative Mythology Lecture |
| Session 8: Discussion about Mythic Forms and Archetypes |
Star Wars: Mysteries of the Force
Mixed Lecture/Discussion • Medium intensity
In this module, we will discuss the aspects of the Force as depicted in Star Wars films, tv, and video games. We will look at specific characters and cults (Jedi v. Sith, the Bendu, Nightsisters, etc.) to understand where they fit in the wider mythology far far away, as well as other mystical motifs and ideas (Mortis, the World Between Worlds). There are tons of different topics to choose from, so there will be plenty to discuss in this course.