Each week, students will participate in discussions over course material. Be sure to read the section titled "The Purpose of the Discussions."

In the classroom setting, the teacher leads the discussions, but oftentimes, students, by their questions, determine the direction of the discussions. While some students may see digressions from the textbook materials as "off-topic," often these discussions focus on the practical ways in which mythology influences our daily life and culture. In the end, it is the application of knowledge to everyday life and experience that is true education. In order for classroom discussions to be effective, however, students must be in class (an obvious fact that apparently isn't obvious given the problems classes often face with absenteeism). Students must complete the necessary reading assignments out of class. Students must be engaged in the classroom and be willing to listen to their classmates and the instructor, and learn from each other.

Students must also be willing to risk sounding stupid. Students should trust their instincts. Sometimes students have suggested things about the stories that the instructor might not have thought of about or might even resist at first only to recognize that the students' ideas apply. All students have unique backgrounds and expericences that they bring to the class. Students should not be afraid to share what they think. Better to engage with the material then sit silent. It is only through engagment that everyone can learn. No one, the instructor included, knows everything there is about myth or even about the stories contained in this course.