British Literature

This course will focus on British Literature written from 1678 to 1954 and will provide a broad sweep of historical perspectives through mainly fiction readings. The books selected for the course will be studied in depth for their tremendous contribution to the literary world and the shaping of society. During this time frame, and particularly in the 19th century, British writing was prolific and greatly influential. This course will provide solid scaffolding for the further enjoyment and study of renowned British literature.

The goals of this course are:
To explore the timeline of British authors and recognize influential political, philosophical, social, and religious factors on the authors
To analyze writings according to their structure, form and purpose, and practice synthesizing ideas in the written word through a variety of writing projects

To develop comparative, analytical/critical, and responsive thinking, writing, and questioning skills that bolster communication with others and to practice using said skills in various settings. Of equal importance is the underlying current of the course, which is to nurture a spirit of searching and restful contemplation through the reading of powerful stories and essays. By examining authors, characters, conflict, and themes, students will make connections to themselves and their world while simultaneously recognizing the unchanging state of human nature.

The readings being with John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress and progress through the Enlightenment Era, the Romantic Period, and Victorian Age to Realism and Existentialism. As students investigate the historical impact of political, philosophical, social, and religious perspectives they will come to recognize effects on the writers of the time. They will develop the craft of asking questions following the form of Aristotle’s Five Common Topics of Invention; in doing so, they will engage with the text and their peers on a contemplative level. Students will be required to read all assigned texts (approximately 1 hour of reading per day) and write one major essay per book (comparison, narrative, expository, etc.). Additionally, students shall expect to maintain a dialectic notebook (to be explained in class), periodically submit short (1-page) response papers, and complete a portfolio. Participation in Socratic dialogue is imperative as it serves to promote vigorous contemplation and reflection.

The writing portion of this course will focus on various types of academic essays including compare and contrast, critical analysis, expository, and persuasive. Students will follow a rubric for each piece of writing in order to develop strong mental templates for presenting thoughts in differing forms. As the communication of ideas is paramount in literature, selecting the most appropriate structure to convey such ideas is a valuable skill. Likewise, a writer’s personal style can powerfully impact the reception of the work, and as such, students and teacher will together explore and practice schemes and tropes such as anaphora, antithesis, epistrophe, polysyndeton, and more. Experimenting with word play will enrich our study of British literature and lead students toward growth in eloquence. Students will be expected to employ proper grammar and mechanics of writing (including spelling, grammar, and structure) as they endeavor to stretch their writing abilities.

While this course primarily features literary study, it also incorporates some study from British history, helping students to see and enjoy the integration of both history and literature. This class is paired with our upper-school Western History: Enlightenment to Industrial Revolution course, taught by the same instructor, and scheduled back-to-back with that course in a “block.” Students who take both courses receive a discount. This course may also be taken as a standalone literature study.

The target grades for this course are 9th–10th grade. Students must have successfully completed an 8th-grade-level writing course; they will be expected to have competency in vocabulary, annotation, and essay-writing (various forms of written discourse) and know how to write a summary and reflect on a text (though the instructor will work to develop these skills throughout the course). Students are expected to have strong reading and writing skills as well as the interest and capacity for engaging in discussion about literature and history. Students well suited for this course will continue refining the following scholarship skills as they approach mastery:

• Actively and independently engage in note-taking
• Apply teacher critiques
• Adhere to deadlines
• Be responsible for class and project preparedness
• Take initiative to ask questions for understanding and comprehension

High School Credit: This course is the equivalent of one high school credit in English or literature.

**How much time will students spend on homework? **
This varies by student according to his or her pace. However, the average reader can expect to spend approximately 1.5–2 hours per week reading course materials, and approximately half an hour to an hour working on the questions. Students will submit regular weekly assignments. Midterm and final exams will be given.

**How is faith integrated with these courses? **
These seminar-style discussions unfold organically. One could approach the texts with a focus on defensive critiques of classical authors. By contrast, we seek to read charitably. We treat classic authors as if they were friends, gleaning every available truth while also examining them from a robustly Christian perspective.

At Scholé Academy, we have carefully considered how we should engage our contemporary culture as those who believe that Christ is the Truth (John 14:6), and that all truth has its source in him. We think it is important to provide our upper school students (in grades 7-12) with tools and opportunities for critically examining various cultural trends, issues and mores through the lens of orthodox, Christian beliefs. Being confident in the truth revealed to us in creation, the Scriptures, and the tradition of the church, we are not afraid to follow the truth and its implications nor to address error and falsehood. … Read more about our Faith & Culture.