Description

From its roots in the Christian west, American literature gave shape to new ideas even as it breathed life into existing forms such as the Biblical sermon, the ancient quest, and the medieval romance.

This course takes the student from colonial writings to modern fiction, and surveys both prose and poetry. The class is divided between lecture and discussion formats. The student should expect frequent, guided readings and regular writing assignments.

We’ll develop a background in the Puritans and Founders. Then, we will read novels, poetry, and short stories.

This course is part of the Compass Lectures Series where veteran teachers are filmed as they teach in an actual classroom. This product includes streaming access to the videos filmed live in Nashville. Assignments for local students are explained on the videos and in the course steps. However, parents are solely responsible for assigning and grading this work.

Required Books

• The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper
• Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
• The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck
• Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

*Copies of these books can be purchased on any of these sites: Better World Books, Thrift Books, or Amazon.com.

Try sample lessons in our online learning platform.

Ben has been teaching Latin and the Humanities in Classical and Christian schools for the last 15 years. In addition to classroom and tutorial instruction, he has worked in school administration, curriculum development, and teacher training. Ben is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and serves as a deacon in his church. He lives with his wife and three children in Franklin where they homeschool.

License: This product is licensed for use by one family. For group, co-op, or school use, each family will need to purchase a copy or purchase licenses for each student. For more information, visit our group license page.