Over-Arching Concept: What Makes Literature American?
Literature is not simply American because it was written by an American in the United States. There are themes, topics, ideals, technical structures, experiences, and voices that are unique to America, and to American literature. There are many American authors with a wide range of writing styles and experiences over many years. American literature is vast and varied, so in this course I will strive to provide students with a survey of American literature because it would be impossible to teach everything. It is important that students familiarize themselves with the major influences on American literature as well as the authors who write this literature. By the end of the year, I expect that students be able to synthesize their knowledge of the various elements that are found in the literature we have studied and answer for themselves, "What makes literature American?"
Course Description
United States Literature and Composition, 5863 – American Literature courses focus upon commonly known American authors and their work. Students improve their critical-thinking skills as they determine the underlying assumptions and values within the selected works and as they understand how the literature reflects the society of the time. Oral discussion is an integral part of this course as is the emphasis on narrative, informational/explanatory, and argumentative writing.
(From the FCHS Coursebook)
(From the FCHS Coursebook)