English II, American Literature

Course Objectives

American Literature seeks to develop students’ awareness of major works of American literature and culture.  Additionally, the course continues to build upon the conventions and skills of reading, writing, speech, and research begun in the freshmen year.

Course Description

English 13510 is a survey course in American Literature.  Course work is organized according to chronology or conceptual themes.  Students are given a broad overview of the literature of America, the eras that gave rise to the literature, and the contributions of various groups that have influenced American culture and literary arts. Core texts in American Literature will be either The Autobiography of Frederick Douglass, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, or A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines. Students will receive instruction in composition including argument, exposition, and research with MLA document. Additionally, students will use grammar skills provided through formal instruction and reading strategies developed through the Chicago Reading Initiative.

Standards

State Goal 1: Read with understanding and fluency

State Goal 2: Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras and ideas.

State Goal 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes.

State Goal 4: Listen and speak effectively in a variety of situations.

State Goal 5: Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information.

Instructional Resources

·        The Autobiography of Frederick Douglass, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, or A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines

·        selected works from Literature and Language

·        selections of canonical texts

·        selections of multicultural contemporary texts