AS EMBARK UPON YOUR JOURNEY to discover what you want to do post New Trier, and where you would like to go, we will also begin reading about Santiago's journey to discover his purpose in Cohelo's The Alchemist. This short and spiritual novel that describes the Andalusian shepherd's discovery of his Personal Legend will serve as a model for analyzing literature for aspects of Joseph Campbell's monomyth, and will be our guide as you brainstorm information for your personal, college essay.

MONDAY

Reviewing what we know about the hero journey. We are then going to get into The Alchemist, discussing the aphorisms and lessons that it contains. What does Santiago learn as he embarks upon his journey? We will begin discussing that. I will also talk about brainstorming, first drafts of college essays, and the first draft conference.
HW: Read up to page 27, "The boy began to read..." in part one.

TUESDAY

Discussion of Santiago and last night's reading. We will also begin reading through everyone's posted questions, and brainstorming relative to these.
HW: Finish reading part one for class tomorrow.

WEDNESDAY

Today we will continue to apply Vogler's outline to our reading of The Alchemist, and then discuss what--within part one of the novel--fits within Campbell's definition of the hero journey. We will likewise finish our reading of personal statement / college application essay questions.
HW: Read Part 2, up through page 82, "'And I'd better read your books,' said the boy."

THURSDAY

We will begin journaling, practice brainstorming for the college essay. We will read aloud, together, three other essays written by actual NT graduates from the Class of 2016. The last half of class, we will return to the paired analysis of Part 2, which you read last night.
HW: Read through page 125 of Alchemist tonight...that is up to the end of the posted audio.

FRIDAY

Meeting in the library today for an orientation.
HW: Spend some time this weekend on your college essay. Specifically, brainstorm on TWO of the suggested activities listed at the end of the college essay handout.