Modern Literature teaches students to read literature critically. The selected works are framed around a central theme: “Alternate Worlds and Realities.” Using a literary perspective, students examine various stories and mediums, to understand the effect of genre on plot, characters, and meaning. Whether these stories occur on the pirate ship of Challenger Deep or the post-apocalyptic zone of District Twelve in The Hunger Games, students learn about the often indistinct line between right and wrong, reality and fantasy, and grapple with ideas of heroism in worlds where the moral choice isn’t always black and white. Students process these ideas and novels in two-page book reviews, assigned after each major work is finished.
Students will be required to purchase the books from the book list for the course. All other materials will be provided by the teacher.
Book List:
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Goodreads, Amazon, and Audible)
- The Giver by Lois Lowry (Goodreads, Amazon, and Audible)
- Maus by Art Spiegelman (Goodreads, Amazon– physical copy required because it’s a graphic novel)
- Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card (Goodreads, Amazon, and Audible)
- Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman (Goodreads, Amazon, and Audible)
- The final book will be up to the student and selected from a list provided during the Christmas break. This book will not be needed until March.
Course Fees: $499.00 | Payment Plans Available
Grade Levels: 9th-12th
Class Meeting Time: Mondays, 5:30 – 6:30 PM ET
Your Teacher
Cassandra Whisenant
Literature
Meet Cassandra
Cassandra is one-of-five and a homeschool graduate. After serving as a Speech Coach at STOA’s West Virginia Speech and Debate Club (the first homeschool speech and debate club in the state of West Virginia), Cassandra discovered a love for teaching and furthered her lifelong love of reading. While an undergraduate, Cassandra had the opportunity to teach Audience Insight and Data Analytics at West Virginia University’s Reed College of Media. At the University of Reading, she was elected the Postgraduate Representative for the School of Literature and Languages, working with faculty and staff at the university to improve the experience and education for graduate students through workshops, expert lecturers, and university policy reform. When she has free time, Cassandra can be found curled up with a cup of strong coffee and a thick book.
Cassandra currently works in higher education and is applying to Ph.D. programs.
Education
B.S. in Advertising and Public Relations, with a minor in English (West Virginia University)
M.A. in Children’s and Adolescent Literature (University of Reading)
Courses
Modern Literature
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