HINDUISM WILL BECOME OUR FOCUS sas we shift to the Indian epic poem The Ramayana. Our translator is R.K. Narayan. His version is a shortened translation, one that explores the main plot points of the tale, and does not deviate from them. The epic poem tells the story of Rama, who falls in love with Sita. Rama’s mission, besides becoming reuinited with Sita, is to defeat the turned-evil Ravana, thus ridding the world of evil. This week we will cover background materials in Hinduism as a platform for understanding the text.

MONDAY

No class for the four-day fall break.
HW: Obtain your copy of Narayan’s The Ramayana.

TUESDAY

Introduction to Hinduism. We will start a pair-and-share read-aloud, a selection on Hinduism in general. And then we will start a religions of the world documentary on Hinduism.
HW: If you missed the documentary today, you can watch (or rewatch, as needed) the documentary here.

WEDNESDAY

No class for college visits.
HW: Finish your college essays.

THURSDAY

Returning to the tandem reading of the Hinduism overview. And we will return to the documentary as well.
HW: Finish reading the overview handout tonight for homework, whatever you and your parnter didn’t finish.

FRIDAY

Reading a children’s tale, a Hindu foundation tale: How Ganesh Got His Elephant Head.
HW: Read “Prologue” and chapter one, “Rama’s Initiation.” If you haven’t turned in the final revision of your college essay, turn that in (no later than) Monday.