Literature of American Sport
1 Credit Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation, Senior standing
This college-preparatory English course will explore sports and related issues through fiction, non-fiction, and dramatic readings. Selections include Travis Roy’ s Eleven Seconds, August Wilson’ s Fences, and John Grisham’ s Bleachers. Students will also read Kate Fagan’ s What Made Maddy Run, the story of a Division I athlete’ s struggle with mental health. Through these works, students will gain insight into the triumphs, pressures, and personal struggles that shape the lives of student-athletes. In addition to literary analysis, students will complete an in-depth research project paired with a podcast component, participate in Harkness discussions, and develop their argumentative writing skills. A variety of choice readings, writing assignments, and oral presentations will further support critical thinking and effective communication.
Monsters and Misfits
1 Credit Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation
Monsters and misfits are pervasive in our culture because they represent both individual and societal fears and anxieties. In this course, students will examine the nature of our fears and how monsters and misfits come to symbolize cultural anxieties through the study of the horror genre. Students will apply critical theories to examine and identify classical literary misfits and monsters and their manifestations in the 21st century through research, writing, and critical cultural analysis of horror films and literature. Major literary works studied may include Frankenstein and Stephen King’ s The Institute, and the films Frankenstein and Get Out.
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