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| AM LIT 39: Class Description
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course involves literature that describes or expresses the American identity. Students will read an array of literature stressing the values and experience of newcomers (Puritans), minorities (Native Americans, African-Americans, and Latin Americans), and outsiders within the larger cultural population of America. Students will explore what it has meant – over some 500 years of time – to be an American, and how different Americans have expressed their experiences in words. Readings will involve the colonial, enlightenment, romantic, realistic, naturalistic and modernistic periods to the present. Students will explore the characteristics, themes, philosophies and writing styles of various authors in each period. Proving specific statements with evidence from selected readings is emphasized in discussions and in essays.
In addition to reading literature of various types (fiction, non-fiction, poetry and plays), students will study grammar and hone their writing and creative writing skills. An emphasis is placed on reading comprehension, writing and language skills and further development of vocabulary and critical thinking skills. Assignments include reading in class and for homework, journals, essays, and individual and group projects
Note: In addition to certain core texts, this class involves literature not included in the American Literature 37 class. Further, this class moves through the core texts at a faster pace and with greater emphasis on textual criticism and analysis.
NB: I have posted several creative writing assignments on our site, for extra credit. If an assignment does not relate to the main text we are reading at any given time, you may assume it is such an assignment. For example: Betrayal Story (February 9 due date) does not mention Huck Finn, our current text, and is extra credit. |
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| Upcoming Events and Homework |
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| see past |
Literary Circle: advanced (homework)
Due Date: November 23, 2009
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| Complete assignment attached (five of seven literary responses). |
| Downloads |
 Document 1 (27.65 KB)
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Poetry Memorization & Recital (homework)
Due Date: November 30, 2009
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Memorize 6 lines (minimum of 40 words) of any poem you like. Attached is a document with some classic and more modern poems to select from. (Note: ignore the document directions to write your own poems, unless you wish to do so for extra credit.)
I will ask you all to recite your lines.
Alternatively: select poetry from any source you like: Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, etc. If you select rap, you must recite at least 8 lines (60 words.) |
| Downloads |
Document 1 (193.02 KB)
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Hamden High School
Richard Pershan
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