WHAT TYPE OF HERO IS RAMA, AND WHAT is his dharma? As we trace his wanderings through the wilderness, pay attention to what he does, but also to why he does it. Though he embodies perfection, he doesn't always act perfectly. Why follow the deer, for example? Why must Lakshmana build his shelter time and time again? What do these lapses mean, both in the context of the myth, but also to you personally? Annotate for what the myth teaches us about the Hindu society that produced this myth, but also where it intersects with your own experience.

MONDAY

No class for late start.
HW: Read chapter three of Ramayana tonight.

TUESDAY

Discussion of chapter three. What is the role of promises in the world of Valmiki? What is the nature of promises, and how do they factor in our lives? In class writing, personal response narrative to chapter three, followed up with a blog post (What is the nature of promises, from your experience?).
HW: Reading chapter four—this one is fairly short, only 11 pages.

WEDNESDAY

Encounters in exile. What is the nature of the demons that Rama and Lakshmana encounter? Why is Soorpanaka so violently indisposed to hate Sita? Is Rama and Lakshmana’s response to her appropriate? Why so, and why not?
HW: Read the first 8 pages of chapter 5, “The Grand Tormentor.”

THURSDAY

Happy Halloween! Not being able to help myself, I will introduce Jungian archetypes by reading about, discussing, and watching an episode of Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?
HW: Finish chapter five tonight.

FRIDAY

Today in class we will split time between the Campbell handout Ramayana: How evil is Ravana? What are our first impressions of this great evil?
HW: Read chapter six over the weekend.