This is a college preparatory course that focuses on literature ranging from the 1700's to present day. The texts we will read will dive into American life, ideals, perspectives, struggles, and dreams as seen through the eyes of American authors. Students will develop their writing skills through close read analysis, text responses, and both analytical and argumentative writing. They will also strengthen their interpersonal skills through regular small and large group discussions that require them to connect themes and ideas from a given text to their own experiences and those of the communities they are part of.
Though summer reading is not required for this course, students will find that establishing a reading habit over the summer helps them get a head start on the reading experience they will have during the year. While we encourage them to read books of their own choosing, we also recommend the following titles as indicative of the type of literary rigor they may encounter in the American literature classroom: Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, John Krakauer’s Into the Wild, and Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club. Parents may wish to have students read at least one of these titles, as doing so will help them enter the course better prepared for its pace and expectations.
Additional Expectations: The workload and expectations are designed to prepare students for college-level analysis and writing, emphasizing critical thinking and effective communication skills.
Note: Juniors and seniors may choose among the upper-level English electives. The courses are comparable in workload and requirements. If juniors wish to join the AP track, they select AP Language & Composition, followed by AP Literature & Composition their senior year if they remain in Advanced Placement classes.
Philosophy in Literature provides an honors-level option for students who are not pursuing AP; the workload and rigor are commensurate to an AP course.
