Contemporary Literature

Course Syllabus

Course Instructor: Mr. Walles

Course Description: Contemporary Literature is a year-long, college-prep. course primarily focused on the study and analysis of 20th and 21st century literature. During the year the students will explore a variety of contemporary novels, poems, plays, and short stories. The students will have the opportunity to engage the various literary works through extensive class discussion, brief essays, and several more substantial writing assignments, including a research paper. In addition, contemporary art, music, and films will be used to supplement the literature studied in this course.

Grading Scale :

100-95 A                   82-79 C

94-93 A-                    78-77 C-

92-91 B+                   76-75 D+

90-87 B                     74-71 D

86-85 B-                    70-69 D-

84-83 C+                   68 or less F

 

Tentative Course Schedule:

First Semester

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

An exploration of Short Stories

Celine by Brock Cole

Second Semester

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

Their Eyes were watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

A Study of Poetry

A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry

The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

Witness by Karen Hesse