Course: Literary Themes

Who should take this course?

Seniors who have successfully completed both literature and writing courses at the junior level are eligible to take the course.
 

Course focus/umbrella questions:

 Areas of focus

• Close reading of literature combined with annotation and note taking
• Selection of reading material
• Self-pacing and self-monitoring
• Independent literary analysis of selected texts
• One-on-one conferencing with the instructor
   

Umbrella question:

• How does independent reading and shared analysis help us to clarify our understanding of the human experience?

Non-negotiable assignments required of all students who take this course:

• A minimum of two substantial literary works per quarter
• A final paper: an analysis of 2 or 3 of the students’ own selection

Required reading:

Students will select, with teacher guidance, books based on personal interest. 

Course-specific policies: 

Whereas students are responsible for scheduling their own conferences during the quarters, the final conference dates for each quarter are teacher-scheduled so as to ensure student access to the teacher during the last two weeks of the quarter.

Final papers constitute the final exam for the course.  The final papers must be typewritten/word-processed and submitted to turnitin.com.

Student expectations 

• Students read independently and are held accountable for the reading via documentation, annotation, and/or note taking.

• Students must conference one-on-one with the teacher on each reading selection they choose.

• Students must schedule conferences without teacher prompting.

• Students must meet twelfth grade District Writing Standards in the final exam paper.

What makes this course different from other companion courses? 

Students must be self-disciplined and proactive in order to complete the course successfully.  The virtually unlimited range of reading selections enables students to read books they have not had time to read.  Students frequently choose current bestsellers, teacher-recommended books, books their friends have recommended, and classics that they have heard or read about in other classes.

Any other relevant and important course related information:          

The course is for students who truly enjoy reading, and who are motivated to explore new texts beyond formal curriculum and secondary sources.