English 2: World Literature & Writing
Overview
Course Description
English 2: World Literature & Writing introduces students to the global literary canon. Students study the ideological impact of writing as it unfolds through the rise of key literary developments, cultural influences, and momentous events throughout world history. Literature is approached from a biblical worldview; in particular, students consider how Christians deal with truth and deception in the world. While students study grammar and mechanics, they also learn the fundamentals of classical rhetoric, enabling them to write with greater clarity and sophistication.
Prerequisites
Students should be able to read and write at a 10th grade level and be self-motivated, as they must read independently and participate thoughtfully in class discussions. Some concepts encountered through the literature and discussions will require students to evaluate new and controversial ideas, and they are expected to approach every topic with maturity.
Students Will Learn
- How to use the major literary forms to better understand culture
- How to incorporate rich content, logical organization, effective style, and specific word choice in their essay writing
- How to apply a biblical worldview to diverse cultures and situations
- How to better understand the major types of literature: narrative, poetry, and drama
- How to understand important literary terms
- How to engage in successful literary analysis
Live Class Sections
English 2 is a yearlong course. Registration opens in late February.
What to Expect Weekly
We estimate that the course workload will take 5-7 hours per week. During a typical week in this course, students will complete the following coursework:
- 90 minutes of live class instruction
- 40–50 pages of reading, guided by reading questions
- Grammar study, practice, & exercises (grammar assignments are built into the online course; no separate textbook required)
- Vocabulary list and accompanying quiz
- Occasional discussion forums or other homework assignments
Throughout the year, students complete 6 full-length literary works, a collection of short literary works, a personal narrative essay, a podcast, a live debate, a live Socratic Seminar, 2 impromptu essays, a multimedia presentation, 2 compare-and-contrast essays, several small writing exercises, and weekly assignments and quizzes on grammar and vocabulary. Students also learn outlining, active listening, and study skills, and they participate in a variety of interactive in-class writing and reading activities.
Course Materials
The Three Theban Plays (Antigone)
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Ancient Greece
Description
This classic play explores the tension between one’s duty to the state and duty to one’s family and beliefs. Antigone follows the journey of a young woman by the same name. After a civil war, the new ruler of Thebes, Antigone’s uncle, forbids the burial of her dead brother because of his rebellion. Antigone and her family struggle to navigate Antigone’s civic duty to obey her uncle, and her familial and religious duty to bury her brother. Tragedy ensues, but the essential conflict is familiar to Christians.
Reason For Teaching
Through richly developed characters, the play explores timeless and thought-provoking themes like honor, justice, and loyalty. Students will have the opportunity to study an ancient drama—which laid the foundation for the modern form—while engaging with the question of how to interact with unjust laws conflicting with their duty to Christ and their family in this fairly short play.
Disclaimer
As this is a tragedy, multiple characters die, but there is no “on stage” violence. A character dies by suicide “off stage.” Greek mythology is referenced. This course will not go into the familial background in detail (it includes quite some additional tragedy).
Twelve Angry Men
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New York City
Description
12 Angry Men by Reginald Rose is a classic modern script dealing with the justice system in New York City. It centers on a court case in which a young man is accused of murder. The jury jumps to conclusions, but one juror starts asking questions, digging into the evidence, and finding justice.
Reason For Teaching
This short script delves into human nature, the concept of “innocent until proven guilty,” and the responsibilities of citizens in the American justice system. Students will consider the differences in drama and structure within cultures, and learn how culture can impact dramatic structure, specifically seeing the contrast between the ancient literary perspectives of honor and human dignity, and how those ideas were incorporated in modern western literature. The text also provides insight into character development through lively dialogue. Words can be powerful, and as this script demonstrates, sometimes one person is called to stand alone, speaking up courageously for what is right, even when it is not popular to do so.
Disclaimer
While the play is about a murder trial, it is not graphic. The script addresses themes like anger and racism. There are a few instances of language.
Beowulf
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Scandinavian
Description
The story of the ancient hero, Beowulf, by an unknown author has captured the imagination for centuries. Beowulf’s adventures—defending his people from invaders and monsters, fighting dragons protecting piles of gold—are told with an interesting blend of pagan and Christian themes, a common trait found in literature across the centuries and continents. This edition shows the original Anglo-Saxon and the modern English translation.
Reason For Teaching
Beowulf is one of the most classic and oldest examples of epic poetry. Students will be reading selections from this epic poem to help shift their understanding of the ancients’ perspective of heroism towards the growing influence of Christianity on world literature and culture. This epic poem provides insight to the foundational western values of individual freedom and personal responsibility.
Disclaimer
This is an old epic poem, and the ancients incorporated their mythology and magic into their storytelling. There are themes of violence, revenge, and loss. There are a few monsters (including a dragon). We do not recommend watching movies based on this text.
Cyrano de Bergerac
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France
Description
This comedy is Edmond Rostand’s most popular play due to its larger-than-life hero, Cyrano de Bergerac. Set in 1640 France, this play is fast-paced, as it introduces a variety of absurd characters that grapple through the tragedies of life, love, war, and intellect. Themes focus on morality, beauty, judgment, and deceit.
Reason For Teaching
This play introduces students to satire, farce, and comedy. Students will learn literary terms relating to theatre, analyze stage directions and character lines, and interpret the true meaning behind Rostand’s presentation. This will initiate a dialogue about honesty, morality, and judgment.
Disclaimer
There are multiple acts of deception, but they do not end well.
The Art of War
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China
Description
The Art of War, attributed to the General Sun-Tzu, is one of the oldest complete Chinese works and was originally assembled during the Warring States Period of Chinese History. For well over 2,000 years, it has been considered one of the definitive works on military and diplomatic strategy and tactics. Its thirteen chapters guide the reader through every aspect of conflict analysis and resolution.
Reason For Teaching
This text provides students with tools to analyze complex problems and consider the best path to resolution. They will deepen their skills of logical and ethical reasoning within the framework of ancient military tactics and traditions. Discussions will focus on patience, self-control, and mercy.
God’s Smuggler
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Netherlands / Eastern Europe / China
Description
In this memoir, Brother Andrew describes his childhood dream to become a spy, seeking adventure in his small Dutch town. He draws you along his journey, from experiencing the Nazi invasion of Holland during WWII, his service as a young man seeking adventure as a solider in the Indonesia-Korean War, to finding himself smuggling Bibles during Cold War and afterwards, equipping Christians with their own Bibles behind the Iron Curtain. Join him as he navigates communism, evangelism, refugees, propaganda, and sees God at work in incredible ways.
Reason For Teaching
This book will be used as a part of a unit on nonfiction literature. Students will learn how to read and write about life-changing people and events. Featured individuals will serve as a springboard for students to evaluate their own footprint and impact in their circle of influence.
Disclaimer
There is some war violence and drunkenness.
The Alchemist
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Brazil / Spain / Egypt
Description
Translated from Portuguese, Santiago is the main character of The Alchemist, created by Brazilian novelist, Paulo Coelho. An Andalusian shepherd boy, Santiago dreams of adventure, travel, and treasure. After meeting various people—some mysterious—he starts on an adventure that takes him from the mountains of Spain, through the Middle East, to the Egyptian pyramids. Coelho incorporated magical realism—a storytelling style common in South American literature—to weave his “modern myth” exploring the idea of finding one’s “personal legend.”
Reason For Teaching
The Alchemist will introduce the literary theme of magical realism and connect different regions. As they study this novel, students will use it as means of exploring the main question of the course, the difference between reality and appearance. Students will interact with this idea from both a Biblical and literary perspective as they contrast Santiago with a “dreamer” from the Bible (e.g., Joseph, Jacob, or Daniel).
Disclaimer
The main character encounters multiple religions and beliefs during his travels including Islam, mysticism, atheism, and a gypsy fortune teller. There is some violence, but it is not graphic. One or two instances of language occur.
Cry, the Beloved Country
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South Africa
Description
Cry, the Beloved Country is the deeply moving story of Christian Zulu pastor Stephen Kumalo and his son Absalom, set against the background of a land and a people driven by racial injustice. Remarkable for its lyricism and unforgettable for character and incident, this novel is a classic work of love and hope, courage and endurance, born of the dignity of man.
Reason For Teaching
This text will provide students the opportunity to analyze historical fiction. They will continue to develop skills critiquing literature and analyzing different rhetorical choices made by the author. Discussions and compositions will focus on racial injustice, redemption, and the power of forgiveness.
Disclaimer
This text includes tactful descriptions of tense racial scenes, difficult moral dilemmas, and some violence.
Master Teacher
Jessica Pittelkow
Jessica Pittelkow earned her bachelor's degree in classical liberal arts with a pedagogy minor from Patrick Henry College. She was born and raised in a rural Oregon town and is a homeschool graduate herself. She spent most of her free time as a child either pr... View full bio »
Before taking this course
While not a prerequisite, successful completion of this course (or an equivalent course) is encouraged. This ensures your child is prepared to engage with the course material at a deeper level.
