A new version of this High School American Literature is being built as a new live version is being taught. Class meeting recordings and PowerPoint files will be added each week. Email any questions to Mrs. de Laveaga at hsc@delaveaga.app

All weeks that are not yet finished remain hidden until the recording and the files are uploaded.

As of June 1^st, 2025, this course will no longer be available in recorded versions. Although you will be losing access to these courses, we want to reassure you that HSC will retain access to your student’s grade records in case you lose your own copy.

Please browse our catalog: https://caravel.homeschoolconnections.com/catalog

If you have any questions, please reach out to Customer Service at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com.

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

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

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.