Sign up for this course to engage in lively discussions and thought-provoking analyses of American literary masterpieces. Join us on a journey through the pages of The Sea Wolf, The Virginian, To Kill a Mockingbird, and more as we unravel the threads of American identity and expression, all through our Catholic lens.

Special Notes: An optional writing component is available. This is Part Two of a two-part course. However, students are welcome to join us midyear if there are open seats. This course aligns with Dr. Chalberg’s American History: Part Two. If you have younger students, this course fits perfectly with the Homeschool Connections Grade School Unit Study Program for grades 3-6.

Total Classes: 12

Class Dates: Tuesdays, January 14 to April 8, 2025 (No class March 4th)

Starting Time: 1:00 PM Eastern (12:00 PM Central; 11:00 AM Mountain; 10:00 AM Pacific)

Duration Per Class: 50 minutes 

Prerequisite: Students should have the basic paragraph and essay writing skills. Your student will need Word 2007 or later version or the ability to convert a document to a Word-compatible document.

Suggested Grade Level: 9^th to 12^th grade

Suggested Credit: One full semester of Literature or American Literature

Fee: For all 12 classes: $227 if you register on or before November 15, $247 if you register after Nov. 15. (Registration closes one week before the first day of class. After that date, registration is not guaranteed. There is a $20 surcharge for late enrollments after the course is closed.)

Instructor: Jackie deLaveaga

Course Description: American Literature Part Two: Reconstruction through Present Day is a survey course in American Literature covering works written by and about Americans from Post Civil War Reconstruction to modern times. Class meetings will use both lecture and Socratic discussion to engage students in both the history and the art of American Literature. Students will engage in weekly discussion forums and class discussions regarding historical context, culture, and literary techniques and themes. There is a strong emphasis in this course on learning to analyze literature as an academic skill.

Course Outline: 

Week 1: Discussion Forums, Class Overview, Timeline

Week 2-10: Literature Discussion; Literary themes of the novel and short works

Weeks 11-12: Final Project Construction

Course Materials: Full-length works (unabridged) are required, but any edition should work.

1. The Sea Wolf by Jack London

2. The Virginian by Owen Wister

3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

4. Various short works, including poetry, short fiction, and prose, will be provided for free as PDF files.

Homework: Weekly quizzes, graded discussion forums, and reading assignments. Expect to spend approximately 2-3 hours of homework outside of the classroom per week. Optional author project. Students can choose to complete a PowerPoint presentation or an essay that demonstrates an in-depth study of an author.