LAST WEEK we began our journey into "Myth & Mind." We began by examining a short cartoon entitled "The Day I Disappeared," and students wrote, typed, and submitted a paragraph (less than one page) that interpreted the story. We also reviewed the English Department handouts on the college essay, and students answered one of the brain-storming prompts, wherein you had to explain who you are in less than 100 words. Finally, we read the introduction to "The Power of Myth," written by Bill Moyers, and annotated for a definition of myth(ology).

Monday

No school today for Labor Day.
HW: Remember to print out the articles on Friday's blog post. You are to read the first article and annotate for a definition of myth(ology).

Tuesday

Class meets in lab 377-North to write and type an essay on The Alchemist. Please make sure you have your copy of the novel. Essay is due by end of the period.
HW: Read the first chapter of Power of Myth: "Myth & the Modern World," also in last Friday's blog post.

Wednesday

Introduction to Campbell's definition of the mono-myth. We will begin tracing the hero journey in Cohelo's The Alchemist.
HW: Complete the chart using verbatim quotes from the novel. I do not want summary in your own words. Rather, I want evidence from the novel itself.

Thursday

Deciphering complexity: today we will work to a) review our surface comprehension of the novel, b) develop interpretive questions that the novel poses (and we posses), and c) plan and individualized and focused study for a deeper understanding of the novel. We will review how Santiago's journey fits into Campbell's definition of a hero journey (and how not).
HW: Watch and take notes on the first Campbell hero journey, located in the Myth and Mind read folder on the shared N: drive.

Friday

We will begin to watch a selection from Lucas' epic Star Wars, and connect what we see with the stage Campbell calls, "Departure." Where do we see that in SW? Where do we see in Alchemist?
HW: Reading on Joseph Campbell, "Departure." Print and annotate. Also, complete brainstorming exercise #X in the college essay handout.