English 11 A/B - American Literature

Learning Outcomes

English 11A/B

Students will examine both nonfiction and fiction texts written in America by Americans examining the nation’s voice as it develops from the early American settlers to present day modern Americans.

Throughout the course students will determine what it means to be American, as well as evaluate the process that Americans have taken to establish an identity over the years by examining: informational materials, advertisements, prose both fiction and nonfiction, and poetry.
Students will complete a journal entry before beginning literary movements noting their positions on the following core questions:

1. What is necessary for a society to provide an individual so that he/she can establish an identity that supports the fundamental principles of the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

2. How do you attempt to achieve the primary goals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

3. Ultimately, determine the impact that society has upon the individual? the individual upon society? Explain your positions.

Students will also complete a project that assesses what each student’s American identity is prior to beginning the examination of the central motif.

These core questions will be revisited at the end of each literary movement through the threaded-discussion board. Students are expected to respond to each question from the perspective of the philosophical ideas presented from each movement and from within each text examined within the movement. All responses must use evidence from texts examined during the unit for support. Students are asked to reflect and respond to peers in order to assist in formulating an overall opinion on what it means to be an American and what is necessary to establish an American identity.

All courses are written to California Department of Education
standards and to national standards, as applicable. This course has been written to meet Common Core Standards.