English with Ms. Brown email: rbrown@mountalverniahs.org  telephone: 617-969-2260 ext. 28 office hours: Mondays and Wednesdays until 3:30 or by appointment
"How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book! The book exists for us, perchance, that will explain our miracles and reveal new ones. The at present unutterable things we may find somewhere uttered." -- Henry David Thoreau
Sophomore English: American Literature	Senior English: World Literature
Course Description During the course of our year together, we will be reading a variety of literary pieces from different periods of American history.  One common theme will run throughout these works.  This theme, the American Dream, will be the focus of many of our early discussions.  As we read, we will discuss and analyze the literary pieces that we encounter, paying special attention to the American identity as it evolves.  Sophomore year will be a busy one, but I am certain it will be a wonderful one as well!	Course Description One common theme will run throughout the works from various cultures that we read this year: the individual within society.  As we read, discuss, and analyze the literary pieces that we encounter, we will focus initially on the three traditional critical approaches to the study of literature: the textual, historical, and philosophical.  I am especially interested in the original ideas developed by you, the student, and to see how those ideas are shaped and enhanced through dialogue with your fellow classmates.
Required Texts
Sophomore College Prep Adventures in American Literature - (textbook) The Crucible - Arthur Miller Julius Caesar - William Shakespeare Maggie: a girl of the streets - Stephen Crane Ethan Frome - Edith Wharton They Came Like Swallows - William Maxwell The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston Sophomore Honors Adventures in American Literature - (textbook) The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthore Julius Caesar - William Shakespeare Maggie: a girl of the streets - Stephen Crane Pale Horse, Pale Rider - Katherine Ann Porter Ethan Frome - Edith Wharton The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston	Senior College Prep Antigone - Sophocles Misanthrope - Moliere Hamlet - William Shakespeare The Woman Warrior - Maxine Hong Kingston Dubliners - James Joyce Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe Journey to Jo'burg - Beverley Naidoo Senior Honors Antigone - Sophocles An Enemy of the People - Henrik Ibsen Hamlet - William Shakespeare The Woman Warrior - Maxine Hong Kingston Dubliners - James Joyce Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe Cry, the Beloved Country - Alan Paton Senior Advanced Placement Antigone - Sophocles An Enemy of the People - Henrik Ibsen Hamlet - William Shakespeare Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead - Tom Stoppard Death of a Salesman - Arthur Miller The Woman Warrior - Maxine Hong Kingston Dubliners - James Joyce Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe Cry, the Beloved Country - Alan Paton
Homework Assignments (As up to date as possible, but email Ms. Brown at rbrown@mountalverniahs.org if the current date is not listed or if you have any questions!)
Sophomores Due Wednesday, May 16 Both classes: Read Chapters 1 & 2 of Their Eyes Were Watching God.  Keep track of characters and look out for images of trees. Due Thursday, May 17 Both classes: Read Chapters 3 & 4 of Their Eyes Were Watching God.  Take notes or annotate.   Due Friday, May 18 Both classes: Read Chapter 5 of Their Eyes Were Watching God and take notes/annotate.  Study for reading quiz on Chapters 1-5 Due Monday, May 21 Both classes: Read Chapters 6, 7, & 8 of Their Eyes Were Watching God and take notes, per worksheet handed out in class. Due Tuesday, May 22 Both classes: Read Chapters 9, 10, & 11 of Their Eyes Were Watching God and take notes, per worksheet handed out in class. Due Wednesday, May 23 Both classes: Read Chapters 12, 13, & 14 of Their Eyes Were Watching God and take notes, per worksheet handed out in class. Due Thursday, May 24 Both classes: Read Chapters 15, 16, & 17 of Their Eyes Were Watching God.  Take notes, per worksheet handed out in class. Due Friday, May 25 Both classes: Read Chapter 18 of Their Eyes Were Watching God and take notes, per worksheet handed out in class. Due Monday, May 28 No class - Memorial Day! Due Tuesday, May 29 Both classes: Finish reading Their Eyes Were Watching God and take notes, per worksheet handed out in class.  This week we will begin your final analytical assignment, so be sure to gather and organize all of your notes on the book in preparation.	Seniors Senior Symposium has begun! (See Due Dates sheet for requirements)