English 3 Honors: American Literature

Name:
English 3 Honors: American Literature (ENGL350)
Department:
Language Arts
Credits:
1.0 (yearlong course)
Prerequisites:
English 1 (ENGL100) and English 2: World Literature (ENGL200)
A grade of an 85% or higher in the subject area course taken the previous year. *Contact Advising for questions.

English 3 Honors: American Literature

Description:

What people think about God affects the way they live; how people live reveals what they think about God. Over the years, Americans have lived lives that reveal all too much about what they think about God. Starting with the early Americans and then progressing through history, we will observe in this course how Americans lived and what they believed, as demonstrated through literature. Our study of literature will address literary elements, reading comprehension and analysis, and an insightful response to the content. We will explore how history and worldview influence literature and how that same literature then influences the nation! Additionally, we will analyze and critique historical events, worldviews, and literature as it relates to the Word in order to see God’s truth in everything and His plan for everyone!

NOTE Honors: American Literature Honors (ENGL350) is an enriched version of ENGL300. The supplemental literature and assignments in the Honors course allow students the opportunity to reinforce their learning as they gain a deeper understanding of the material. Students are supported by the teacher and by the lessons themselves as they work through the course. Students in the Honors course can expect an average of 1-2 hours of work per week in addition to the regular course content.

Special Notes:

This course is a part of the honors track, and intentional focus will be on the required knowledge and critical thinking and analytical skills to prepare a student to be successful in future upper-level and Advanced Placement® (AP®) courses.

FROM THE TEACHER

People are reactionary; we react to circumstances daily! Have you ever thought of the reactionary cycle of literature and society? How does literature affect a society? How does society affect literature? How does the worldview of the author you read affect you? In American Literature Honors class, we will look at this cycle of influence throughout American literature and history. Starting with the literature of settlement and moving through the literature of the American Revolution to transcendentalism and naturalism, this American Literature Honors class will work through American literature all the way through modern American prose and poetry. And all along the way, we will respond to prose, poetry, and novels to investigate how literature from all different times in American history is influencing us even today.

If there are books and materials for this course, they can be purchased from our Online Bookstore.

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Student Feedback

The teacher gave timely, elaborate feedback that made me see where I can improve.

There were many enrichment activities geared to helping you understand the material.

Explore American Literature Honors

This yearlong course is designed for 11th-grade students who have completed Grade 10 English Language Arts, World Literature, or an equivalent course. The Honors version adds supplemental literature and assignments for students who want greater depth and challenge.

Students develop a deeper understanding of American literature, history, and culture while thinking critically about the ideas and experiences that have shaped the nation. They also strengthen their ability to read thoughtfully, communicate clearly, and connect literature to the world around them.

What Students Will Study

Unit 1: The Tools of Expression
Students build the skills needed for success in the course and as lifelong learners while exploring the origins of the United States through Native American and Puritan literature and history.
Unit 2: Taking a Stand
Students consider when it is right to take a stand through the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, Native American and Puritan works, and transcendental literature. They study rhetorical devices and persuasion as they develop an argumentative essay.
Unit 3: The Individual
Through The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible, students analyze character development, conflict, adversity, and multiple themes, then create a project demonstrating how authors shape characters and meaning.
Unit 4: The Power of Words
Students examine classic and contemporary poetry, focusing on diction, syntax, figurative language, and punctuation. They apply these techniques by writing and presenting an original poem.
Unit 5: Stories That Shaped America
Students read classic American short stories and analyze how authors construct narratives. Using these works as mentor texts, they write their own narrative essay.
Unit 6: The Cost of Freedom
Students learn to research and write a formal, objective paper while studying the history of slavery in the United States through Sharon M. Draper’s historical novel Copper Sun.
Unit 7: Knowledge as Rebellion
Through Fahrenheit 451, students examine why books matter, trace major themes, and consider how lessons from literature can guide decisions about the future.

Format and Materials

American Literature is available in Flex and NSA Live formats. The course includes two 16-week semesters for a total of approximately 32 weeks.

Teacher-created videos
Open educational resources
Hands-on and creative projects
Writing, research, and presentation assignments

Required book: Sharon M. Draper, Copper Sun, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2006.

Support and Assessment

Teachers are available during office hours and through Microsoft Teams video meetings, Teams chat, and email. Students enrolled in NSA Live also meet with their teacher during weekly live classes.

The course develops close reading, analytical writing, research, argumentation, narrative writing, poetry, and presentation skills. It does not prepare students for an external certification exam.