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

After collecting your college essays, we will return to Campbell, picking up with “initiation,” covering Edward’s “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” and then reading two myths that illustrate reconciliation with the father as the object of the journey.
HW: Finish reading the section two, “The Meeting with the Goddess,” up to and including page 120 for Tuesday. Obtain your copy of Narayan’s The Ramayana, available in the bookstore. I will collect The Alchemist tomorrow in class.

TUESDAY

Discussion of The Alchemist. How do you see Santiago as a hero? What do you make of his hero journey? Time permitting, we will continue with Campbell.
HW: Begin writing a two page paper on one aphorism from the novel, explaining what the phrase means in the context of the novel and the hero journey, as well as in your own life experience. Essay is due Monday.

WEDNESDAY

Introduction to Hinduism. We will start a pair-and-share read-aloud, a selection on Hinduism in general.
HW: Read an additional five pages of today’s handout, and also begin outlining your paper on The Alchemist.

THURSDAY

Returning to the tandem reading of the Hinduism overview. Introduction to our next text, including a word or two on pronunciations. I' will also introduce tomorrow’s documentary.
HW: Reading a children’s tale, a Hindu foundation tale: How Ganesh Got His Elephant Head.

FRIDAY

We will start a religions of the world documentary on Hinduism.
HW: Read the introduction and the “Prologue”—but NOT chapter one, “Rama’s Initiation.” If you missed the documentary today, you can watch (or rewatch, as needed) the documentary here. Essays on The Alchemist are due Monday! Do you need the reading on from The Ramayana? Get it here.