The Path of Transformation
The Hero’s Journey: The Path of Transformation is the most comprehensive resource available for teaching and understanding the Hero’s Journey. A synthesis of 40+ years experience and research, it combines detailed lesson plans with a wealth of resource material exploring the journey and its elements.
The 218-page guide balances practical classroom lessons with 100 pages of in-depth articles written specifically to give teachers the background needed to teach the journey at virtually any level. The guide covers the Rite of Passage (which Joseph Campbell called the “nuclear unit” of the journey), Campbell’s monomyth, a psychologically-based model of the journey and the Call Refused. It includes everything you need to start teaching:
– Detailed plans for 10 lessons (up to 8 weeks),
– Student texts, handouts and worksheets,
– Three film projects,
– Individual and group projects, discussion questions and a variety of activities,
– Six generic graphic projects (can be used with any film or text),
– Quizes and writing projects on each unit,
– 100 thought-provoking quotes for discussion or writing.
(For more details see “Take a Closer Look” below.)
BONUS: When you order you will also receive our 64-page guide “The Hero’s Journey: Five Project Supplement,” our “The Hero’s Journey in Five Days” supplement and “A Glossary of Hero’s Journey Terms.” See our preview for details.
TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
NOTE: On the slide show, hover your cursor over a slide to pause it, or use the arrows (on the sides about 3/4 of the way down) to move forward and back.
ANNOTATED CONTENTS
Introduction: “A Myth to Live By: The Soul’s High Adventure,” “We Live in Story: The Hero’s Journey as a Personal Narrative” and “Hero’s Journey Approach to Lesson Planning” present the theory and approach used in this guide and the value of the journey archetype in the classroom and life.
Chapter One: “Ritual and the Rite of Passage: Teaching Transformation” introduces the Rite of Passage, which Campbell called the “nuclear unit” of the Hero’s Journey. The chapter includes background information for teachers on the structure and psychology of the Rite of Passage, along with a student text called “Negotiating Life’s Transitions: Ritual and the Rite of Passage,” a film project and a group activity in which students design a rite of passage for earning a driver's license.
Chapter Two: “The Monomyth: Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey” examines Campbell’s monomyth. It groups Campbell’s elements into eight stages and explores the monomyth's archetypes, symbolism, themes and psychological foundation. Also included is “The Wisdom of Polarity,” which explores the monomyth's central theme of polar reconciliation.
Chapter Three: “The Hero’s Journey: The Path of Transformation” introduces our eight-stage, psychological model of the hero’s journey. It includes a detailed examination of the journey process, its stages and how they relate to literature and life. Numerous charts and tables illustrate the stages, their challenges, dangers and purposes.
Chapter Four: “Teaching the Hero’s Journey” guides teachers through introducing and teaching the Hero’s Journey. The chapter includes a detailed lesson plan and suggested approach. The student text “The Hero’s Journey: Life’s Great Adventure,” the “What Makes a Hero” activity, and graphics to help students understand and use the journey.
Chapter Five: “Gawain and the Green Knight” expands the basic understanding students developed in Chapter Four by having them explore this classic hero legend as a hero’s journey. The chapter contains background information for teachers, a lesson plan, a student text and suggestions for writing, discussion and reflection.
Chapter Six: “The Legend of the Buddha: A Spiritual Hero’s Journey” further expands students’ understanding by having them explore a spiritual hero’s journey. Along with a lesson plan and the student text, this chapter includes background information of Buddha, Buddhism and how Buddhist philosophy relates to the journey.
Chapter Seven: “Star Wars IV: Hero’s Journey Film Project” is an engaging look at the Hero’s Journey in a classic film. Writer/producer George Lucas was greatly influenced by Joseph Campbell’s work, and that influence is reflected in this film. The chapter contains lesson plans, a thorough exploration of the Hero’s Journey in the film and student activities. (Note: You may use another Hero’s Journey film, if you prefer.)
Chapter Eight: “The Call Refused: Evoking the Shadow Journey” explores perhaps the most important aspect of the Hero’s Journey: The Call Refused. This chapter addresses the dangers of avoiding or rejecting the experiences we need to grow and adjust to changes in our world and in ourselves. It contains a thorough introduction to the Call Refused, a film project illustrating the Call Refused and a Greek myth (“Minos and the Minotaur”) exploring the refusal of the call to public trust. Also included are a thorough discussion of the psychological aspects of the Call Refused, detailed lesson plans, student handouts and a personal reflection activity.
Appendix: The Appendix contains five graphic activities to help students explore transformation, the hero’s journey and the journey in literature and life.
What Teachers are Saying
"I love this resource. I bought the paper copy about 15 years ago and bought this digital copy a few months ago. I highly recommend it!!"
I'm always looking for fresh and exciting ways to explore the hero's journey and allow my 9th graders to truly understand the whole cycle. This unit WAS WONDERFUL- user-friendly, and engaging. ~ Carol B., teacher ~
"SAVED MY LIFE!! We started a half-semester class on the Hero's Journey and this was a great way to introduce students to theories and activities!" ~ Shannon C., teacher ~
This is a valuable resource for those light bulb moments for students. They now see this journey in most film and, of course, quest novels. ~ Denise L., teacher ~
Very complete unit with tons of material! ~ Anais M., teacher ~
"I liked that there were a variety of options. Everything was well set up and easy to follow."
Saved my life when starting a new course! ~ Angela C., teacher ~
This has been very helpful for transfer of concept work that I am doing with my students. Thank you for making this wonderful resource available. ~ Adrienne H., teacher ~
I love studying the Hero's Journey, and this is a great guide. Well designed and organized. Excellent. ~ Ms. J., teacher ~
SUPPORT & GUARANTEE
SUPPORT: I fully support all of my publications. If you have questions, problems, comments or complaints, please let me know. I am also happy to answer questions regarding specific applications of my materials in the classroom or elsewhere. If you just want to discuss the Hero's Journey, I'd love to hear from you.
GUARANTEE: If within 30 days of downloading, you decide that you are unhappy with your purchase, contact me and I will issue an immediate refund. I ask only that you tell me what the problem is so that I can correct it for the future.
About the Author
Reg Harris has 33 years of experience teaching at every level from middle school to college post-graduate programs. He began using the Hero's Journey in the classroom in 1975, and he has been researching and writing about the Hero's Journey since 1986. He has an MA in psychology, with a focus on the transformative processes driving the journey experience.
His original teaching guide, The Hero's Journey: A Guide to Literature and Life, won the 2002 National Youth Storytelling "Teaching and Coaching" Pegasus Award. That guide and its revisions are currently being used by schools in 42 states and 17 countries.
He has presented dozens of workshops, including at state conferences in Oregon and California, and, in 2007, he was a featured speaker at the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the original Star Wars.
For the story of his exploration of the Hero's Journey, see "My 40-Year Journey into the Hero's Journey".
hello reg-
first of all, thank you so much for your incredible work! my son’s high school freshman teacher, ms. mcbride (arcata high school, ca) used your book ‘the hero’s journey, a guide to literature and life’ as a template for their writing in 2002, and the product my son created using it is the only work i saved of his.
fast forward 21 years later, i’m still bragging about your book and sharing it with friends. i’d like to order it for a friend who is struggling with her writing now, however i can’t tell from your current offerings whether or not you have a similar publication? please advise as i’d like to order one for her and am not willing to part with my son’s (now mine!).
is ‘the hero’s journey in five days’ the same???
thanks so much,
reilley