Discovering the Brontë Sisters-Tales of Courage, Mystery, and Heart

Foggy moors, dark mansions, mysterious secrets, suspense- it's easy to get lost in the trappings of gothic literature without understanding what they are meant to do: highlight vices and virtues, challenge readers to discern the difference between societal morality versus actual right and wrong, and persevere in humanity's grueling inner struggle between light and darkness.

In this year‑long course, students will not only learn to identify and appreciate key elements of Gothic literature in the works of the Brontë siblings, but also develop the skills essential to thoughtful literary study. They will hone close‑reading techniques, practice using in‑text citations to analyze themes, craft and defend well‑reasoned theses, and explore Victorian culture in depth comparing and contrasting its values with those of our own time.

Most importantly, students will learn to engage Gothic literature through an Orthodox Christian lens, using their sharpened analytical skills to discern what leads toward Christ and what distracts from Him. Throughout the year, they will be invited to reflect on how literature can illuminate the struggle between virtue and vice, and how a life pleasing to God is cultivated even amid the complexities of the modern world.

• Computer: You will need a stable, reliable computer, running with a processor with a speed of 1 GHz or better on one of the following operating systems: Mac OS X with Mac OS 10.7 or later; Windows 8, 7, Vista (with SP1 or later), or XP (with SP3 or later). We do not recommend using an iPad or other tablet for joining classes. An inexpensive laptop or netbook would be much better solutions, as they enable you to plug an Ethernet cable directly into your computer. Please note that Chromebooks are allowed but not preferred, as they do not support certain features of the Zoom video conference software such as breakout sessions and annotation, which may be used by our teachers for class activities.
• High-Speed Internet Connection: You will also need access to high-speed Internet, preferably accessible via Ethernet cable right into your computer. Using Wi-Fi may work, but will not guarantee you the optimal use of your bandwidth. The faster your Internet, the better. We recommend using a connection with a download/upload speed of 5/1 Mbps or better. You can test your Internet connection here.
• Webcam: You may use an external webcam or one that is built in to the computer. Webcam Recommendations: Good (PC only) | Best (Mac and PC)
• Headset: We recommend using a headset rather than a built-in microphone and speakers. Using a headset reduces the level of background noise heard by the entire class. Headset Recommendations: USB | 3.5mm
• Zoom: We use a web conferencing software called Zoom for our classes, which enables students and teachers to gather from around the globe face to face in real time. Zoom is free to download and easy to use. To download Zoom:
  1. Visit zoom.us/download.
  2. Click to download the first option listed, Zoom Client for Meetings.
  3. Open and run the installer on your computer.
  4. In August, students will be provided with instructions and a link for joining their particular class.
• Scanner: In this class, students frequently submit homework assignments by scanning pages from their workbooks. Students and/or their parents should have easy access to a scanner and the ability to use it.