American Literature
American Literature surveys a range of works produced in or about the United States of America. Literary works from diverse ethnic, racial, and social groups are studied in their historical, social, and political context for what they reflect and reveal about the evolving American experience.
Prerequisites: Junior or Senior Status (or waiver by instructor)
½ credit
Course Outline
Unit 1: This Land Is Your Land: The American Identity
Students will read various texts & work to develop their personal answers to the questions:
What is an “American”?
Why have people come to America, and why do they continue to come to America?
Who writes history, and why does it matter?
Unit 2: Individuality, Conformity, and Society
Students will read various texts & work to develop their personal answers to the questions:
What is the role of the individual in society?
How does fear affect the truth, and justice?
Why do some people conform? Why do others choose not to conform? What happens as a result of these choices?
How has the concept of civil disobedience influenced America?
Unit 3: American Dreams and Nightmares
Students will read various texts & work to develop their personal answers to the questions:
What is the American Dream?
What values does the American Dream reflect?
Is the American Dream more likely to inspire or destroy?
What is more powerful; hope or fear?
Classroom Expectations
All students are to adhere to rules and expectations set by the Pittsville Student Handbook. In addition:
Students must arrive to class on time every day ready to give their best effort. This means having all materials, as well as a good attitude.
Students have 2 days after an excused absence to make up work. Once that time has passed, and for all other late work, students must fill out a “late work request” form.
Make-up tests will be offered to students who fill out the “re-teach, re-do, re-take request” form and complete all necessary components.
Cheating will not be tolerated. This includes plagiarism. Cheating/plagiarizing will result in having to re-do the assignment as well as disciplinary action.
Students are expected to be respectful of all people, spaces, and materials.
Students must follow the Academic Integrity Policy
Grading Policy
Assessments (including essays, quizzes, tests, and projects)………………….……….…………………………...…..100%
Note: All other work, while not ‘graded,’ is designed to help students build and practice knowledge and skills that are necessary for the skills being assessed. Assessments will not be administered until other work is completed satisfactorily. If students wish to retake / retry assessments, they must follow the classroom retake policy which will be in the “Important Documents” section of Google Classroom.
Grading Scale
100 – 93 A
92 – 90 A-
89 – 87 B+
86 – 83 B
82 – 80 B-
79 – 77 C+
76 – 73 C
72 – 70 C-
69 – 67 D+
66 – 63 D
62 – 60 D-
Below 60 F
Essential Standards Covered in Class
RL.1 - Cite relevant textual evidence that strongly supports analysis of what the text says explicitly/implicitly and make logical inferences, including determining where the text is ambiguous; develop questions for deeper understanding and for further exploration
RL. 2 - Objectively and accurately summarize texts, from a variety of genres, to determine one or more themes or central ideas and analyze its development, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details.
W.2a - Write arguments and literary analysis to support claims in an analysis
of substantive topics or texts
W.2b - Write informative texts that examine and convey complex ideas,
concepts, and information clearly and accurately