Myths for the Common Moment:
Exploring the power of myth to affect real world change
In this podcast series created by the Dept. of Classical Studies, we explore democratic myths, the stories and strategies that ancient Athens used to blunt the force of populism and prevent fragmentation along lines of social class and economic inequality -- despite the fact that Athenian society faced many of the same challenges that our society does today.
We examine the ways in which ancient Athens used these myths, from "founding fathers" to "Athenian exceptionalism", and consciously reinforced them in media and social initiatives to ensure that democracy was core to their identity as a people...most of the time.
With help from colleagues in Government and History, we set these alongside American democratic myths of our own era, and explore how current discourse in this election season is, under our very eyes, determining which American myths will prevail, and which may unravel completely.
Myths for the Common Moment is currently hiring interns to work with sound editing and clip research. For more information please contact kbirney@wesleyan.edu.