African American Literature
SWLi (1 semester, .50 credit, prerequisite English I)
African American Literature will guide students through the various cultural periods of African American history. This course explores the narratives of Africans and African Americans whose contributions have shaped the world. In Unit 1, students will study literature relating to Africans and African Americans from prehistory to 1750. Unit 2 will cover African American poets, authors, and civil rights activits from 1750–1865, including Phyllis Wheatley, Frederick Douglass, and Sojourner Truth. Unit 3 will discuss historical and cultural changes for African Americans from 1865–1945, including the civil rights writings of Ida B. Wells and W.E.B. Du Bois, as well as the works of Langston Hughes and other figures of the Harlem Renaissance. Finally, Unit 4 includes modern selections from Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Maya Angelou, Queen Latifah, and more. Students will be exposed to African American literature and culture from the past to the present and will learn how these literary works have been used to strive toward a better future for all African Americans.
Gothic Literature: Monster Stories
SWeD (1 semester, .50 credit, prerequisite English I)
From vampires to ghosts, these frightening stories have influenced fiction writers since the 18th century. This course will focus on the major themes found in Gothic literature and demonstrate how the core writing drivers produce, for the reader, a thrilling psychological environment. Terror versus horror, the influence of the supernatural, and descriptions of the difference between good and evil are just a few of the themes presented. By the time students have completed this course, they will have gained an understanding of and an appreciation for the complex nature of dark fiction.
Mythology & Folklore: Legendary Tales
SWeD (1 semester, .50 credit, prerequisite English I)
Mighty heroes. Angry gods and goddesses. Cunning animals. Since the first people gathered around fires, mythology and folklore has been used as a way to make sense of humankind and our world. Beginning with an overview of mythology and different kinds of folklore, students will journey with ancient heroes as they slay dragons and outwit gods, follow fearless warrior women into battle, and watch as clever monsters outwit those stronger than themselves. They will explore the universality and social significance of myths and folklore, and see how these are still used to shape society today.