PREVIOUS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS
SEPTEMBER 2019-2020
First Heroes: Reading World Mythology
High School (ages 14-18)
Each month we will be reading one age-appropriate novelization of world myths and/or a novel incorporating traditional mythological content. We will start with the Greeks, whose mythology is at the root of so much of Western culture. However, more than half the class will be on non-European myths, such as stories from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Oceana. We not only will be analyzing the novels, but also examining what the different models for heroes, monsters, supernatural powers, and magical creatures tells us about each area’s values and cultures. We seek to understand people by reading their ancient tales that continue to shape their societies today. In doing so, we may come to better know ourselves as well. Other traditional literary concepts will also be covered, particularly through analyzing several poems per month.Students are expected to read a minimum of one book per month and to present to the class an analysis of that book, but the analysis can be in the format of their choosing (traditional essay, movie or animation, artwork, music composition or rap, creative writing or drama, Minecraft model, etc.).
PREVIOUS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS
SEPTEMBER 2018-2019
The American Character (US Literature)
High School (ages 14-18)
What does literature tell us about what it means to be an American? Has it changed from our days of pioneers and revolutionaries to our current globally-connected and technology-savvy population? In this era of “hyphenated Americans,” are there still some common traits that bind us together? We will read both historic and contemporary novels and poems to try to answer this question, using Campbell’s theories about the hero’s journey and universal archetypes to analyze what we read. Students are expected to read a minimum of one book per month and to present to the class an analysis of that book, but the analysis can be in the format of their choosing (traditional essay, movie or animation, artwork, music composition or rap, creative writing or drama, Minecraft model, etc.).
PREVIOUS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS
SEPTEMBER 2017-2018
Global Journeys (Non-Western World Literature)
High School (ages 14-18)
Are heroes the same all over the world? Do different cultures tell different tales about family, love, conflict, religion? When we read literature from other countries, do people seem more alike or more disparate? In this class, we will use books to look at the world through different geographical lenses to see what various countries have to teach us about both literary analysis and about life. The majority of the selections will be by non-European/US authors, and will include selections from every other continent except Antartica. Other traditional literary concepts will also be covered, particularly through analyzing several poems per month.Students are expected to read a minimum of one book per month and to present to the class an analysis of that book, but the analysis can be in the format of their choosing (traditional essay, movie or animation, artwork, music composition or rap, creative writing or drama, Minecraft model, etc.).
