Courses
English Lit: Genre*
Taught by Eliyanah Delicate
Full-Year 32-week Course
Course Description:
Join us in an exploration of genre through our reading of both the novels and the writings of literary scholars along with our weekly class discussions and activities.
In the first part of the year, we will be using our observations on the key features of the genre and our analysis of the literature to write a collective fantasy story; to take on the role of the reluctant poet in Love That Dog; to dive into conversations about racism and how to act justly, to compare and contrast survival, classic, historical, and realistic fiction while discussing setting, characterisation, and plot; to identify different types of humour; and to experiment with communication and debate in constrained circumstances.
In the second part of the year, we will switch from noting genre features to using comics as our genre magnifying glass. Each week, half of the class will be asked to bring an object that connects with the genre in some way, and the other half will be asked to bring a comic that connects with the genre in some way. The comic can be one they’ve created or one they’ve found to share. We will also be exploring how history and science are brought to life and changed through the lens of fiction, experimenting with different ways of shifting our perceptions of ability, playing with humorous literary devices, reading comics together, and wrapping up the semester with the creation of a comic (or other creative interpretation) in a genre of our choice.
We will also be deepening our vocabularies by sharing the one word and definition that each person has chosen to bring from the weekly reading as well as diving into published scholarly studies of literature (check the specific cohort below for more information).
All of the books on this year’s reading list are also available in audiobook format.
*A typical English course from middle school through to the end of high school requires both a literature component and a writing component. Our courses are designed to enable you to choose the best combination for your learner’s needs.
Schedule and Cost:
SIX AGE-BASED COHORT OPTIONS:
ages 9-12
Monday 12:20 p.m.-1:20 p.m. ET
ages 11-13
Monday 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. ET
ages 12-18
Sunday 9:00 p.m-10:00 p.m. ET
Australia Japan friendly time / Evening class in North America
ages 13-16
Monday 1:40 p.m.-2:40 p.m. ET
ages 15-18
Monday 4:20 p.m.-5:20 p.m. ET
Parents ONLY
**DISCOUNTED ADD-ON FOR PARENTS OF ENGLISH LIT LEARNERS: concurrent registration of a learner in English Lit required.**
Monday 8:30 p.m. -9:30 p.m. ET
Course Dates (click to download pdf)
For Tuition Fees, Code of Conduct, and all the details, see THE FINE PRINT
Required Homework:
Ages 9-12 Required Homework:
Reading: Typically, 60-80 pages per week, but one week will be a little more.
Vocabularly: Choose one word to define from each week’s reading and bring it to class to share.
Literary Criticism: Once during the year, learners will be asked to read a published scholarly study of literature such as a journal article or chapter connected with genre to begin to expose them to approaches taken by literary scholars.
Ages 11-13 Required Homework:
Reading: Typically, 60-80 pages per week, but some weeks will be a little more.
Vocabularly: Choose one word to define from each week’s reading and bring it to class to share.
Literary Criticism: At least twice during the year, learners will be asked to read a published scholarly study of literature such as a journal article or chapter connected with genre to begin to expose them to approaches taken by literary scholars.
Ages 13-16 AND 12-18 Evening Class Required Homework:
Reading: Typically, 90-120 pages per week, but some weeks will be a little more.
Vocabularly: Choose one word to define from each week’s reading and bring it to class to share.
Literary Criticism: Along with most of the novels, learners will be asked to read a published scholarly study of literature such as a journal article or chapter connected with genre to begin to expose them to approaches taken by literary scholars.
Ages 15-18 Required Homework:
Reading: Typically, 90-120 pages per week, but some weeks will be a little more.
Vocabularly: Choose one word to define from each week’s reading and bring it to class to share.
Literary Criticism: Along with each of the novels, learners will be asked to read a published scholarly study of literature such as a journal article or chapter connected with genre to begin to expose them to approaches taken by literary scholars.
Reading: Typically, 90-120 pages per week, but some weeks will be a little more.
Vocabularly: Choose one word to define from each week’s reading and bring it to class to share.
Literary Criticism: Along with each of the novels, learners will be asked to read a published scholarly study of literature such as a journal article or chapter connected with genre to begin to expose them to approaches taken by literary scholars.
Course Materials:
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
Love That Dog! by Sharon Creech
Iggie’s House by Judy Blume
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
No Talking by Andrew Clements
Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat
The Midwife’s Apprentice by Karen Cushman
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Pi in the Sky by Wendy Mass
Occasional printouts throughout the year
Paper and pencil on hand every week (though we will only use them some weeks)