Welcome to Junior American Literature! This course will cover a range of American writers who capture various ideologies and perspectives of what it means to "Be American". Because we are such a diverse country, the definition of American becomes just as diverse. The challenge of the class will be to find a commonality that all Americans can find agreement. Another challenge will be writing about our own ideas on what our place in this complex culture and country is. These ideas will show a wide range of beliefs and practices. Be prepared to hear viewpoints that don't necessarily align with your own, and that's OK! We're going to practice dignified conversations where all professional and respectful viewpoints will be welcomed. Please Note: hate speech or disparaging terms used toward any demographic is not synonymous to Free Speech (1st Amendment), and we're going to practice calm, dignified conversations that look better than seen in some of the discussions in the US political system or news media. We will read documents, stories, poetry, a couple of novels, and a full length play for explicit and implicit ideas. We will study how an author conveys their points of view and definition(s) of the American identity. We will also be exploring how literature can influence or impact a community's culture.
I hope you're ready for an engaging and challenging year, where you are valued and your voice and participation are vital for a successful year. I look forward to our intellectual journey together.
Syllabus: A paper copy will be given to you, but should you lose it, here is a digital copy. You can also find a digital copy in the Google Classroom:
Google Classroom Codes: 1st period: 3vqk5ze
2nd period: 3ezkxlj
3rd period: efubazl *Please only join the class to which you're assigned. If you join a class where you are not on the roster, your join will be deleted. Thank you.