Course Description
The second semester of American Literature begins with a review of narrative nonfiction works from the mid-19th century. Students then move into a deep read and analysis of Stephen Crane’s The Red Badge of Courage. Moving from the novel to short stories, students will examine works by Mark Twain, Jack London, and other exemplary American authors. Moving into the 20th century, students will examine works by John Steinbeck and F. Scott Fitzgerald, which includes reading The Great Gatsby. Students will consider the development of Modernism and the authors that produced short stories and poems during this era, including excerpts from Maya Angelou’s I know Why the Cages Bird Sings. Poetry by Robert Frost and Carl Sandburg will be examined and followed by works that reflect the concerns of America following two world wars. The course will conclude with readings from Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street. By completion of this semester, students will have a clear sense of the progression of American literature from the 19th century through works recently published.
Course Structure
Students will be expected to participate in class discussions and complete weekly homework assignments. Homework can range from short answers to evaluating reading comprehension, to longer essay responses which allow students to refine their composition skills.
Who should enroll?
Any student in grades 9-12 may take this course. There are no prerequisites.
Technology Requirements
- High speed, broadband Internet
- Sound card and microphone (for live sessions)
- Streaming video capabilities to watch recorded lectures
Evaluation and Feedback
Students can expect their homework to be evaluated and graded weekly. Since homework is due the day of our live class sessions, I try to have all homework graded before the next class. If the work is completed on time and questions are answered completely, full credit is normally awarded for the weekly assignments.
For the larger papers, I offer a deep evaluation of both style and content, and students should expect to have my comments and a grade back within 2-3 weeks. Former students have said these evaluations have been most beneficial as they prepare for higher level writing in college. Students are welcome to communicate with me via email, and I usually respond with 24 hours.
Communication
Once registration is complete, I send a welcome email to each student and their parents. They will be added to the course and alerted when the Canvas page is open and they can begin their study of literature.
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