ONCE WE ARE DONE WITH THE RAMAYANA, we will shift into the film Sita Sings the Blues, an excellent animated, modernized re-telling of the story. Students will write a multi-genre, argumentative essay using both texts. So as we're watching it later this week, take notes with your claim in mind. What is the most important (and least obvious) lesson of the myth? And why does the myth matter on a sociological, mythological level? That will become the basis of your essay.

Monday

Discussing the role of dharma in the myth. Taking notes as a group. Students will find examples of both order and chaos that emerge from characters exhibiting dharma (or not).
HW: Write a 1-2 paragraph answer to the, "So what?" posed at the end of your notes. Typed. Tomorrow you will read that to your group. Tonight, read chapter 11 tonight.

Tuesday

Looking at two mythic stories of women and their mates, the Book of Ruth and the myth of Charilia. How do these stories parallel/contrast with that of Sita?
HW: Reading chapter 12 tonight.

Wednesday

Discussing the death of Ravana. Also, we will listen to an interesting report about women's jewelry in India.
HW: Finish the book for class tomorrow.

Thursday

Reading and discussing alternative endings to our myth. And also discussing the boon, ala J. Campbell, that Sita and Rama return with. What is the lesson of this myth?
HW: Revisit your annotations in the text. I will collect them on Monday.

Friday

No class today.
HW: This weekend, I want you to finish watching the film. It is awesome! Get together and eat popcorn while watching it. Come to class ready to discuss how it connects (or doesn't) with our reading of the myth. You can find a HD version of the film online, free, here.