Outschool
Search

weekly
or for 40 classes
Class
Play

Introduction to Global Literature for High School Students

Completed by 19 learners
Ages 14-16
Live Group Class
This is a full year class taught by a certified, experienced high school teacher. The curriculum below is for the first semester. Students may join at the change of semester and at other times if approved by the teacher. We will discuss and write about classic novels. Advanced middle school students may also be admitted.
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:
(8 reviews)

Live video meetings
2x per week, 20 weeks
6-12 learners per class
60 min

What's included

40 live meetings
40 in-class hours
Homework
2-4 hours per week. Students can usually expect to spend 2 - 3 hours per week reading and sometimes writing at home. It's the quality of the work that's important, not the quantity! The number of pages will depend on the book. Students will work do most of their work individually. There may be a group project or two if feasible.
Assessment
I give numerous detailed comments on each piece of writing. In addition, I give numeric grades on writing, and numeric and letter grades at the end of the semester if parents would like me to. I'm also available for parent/teacher conferences.
Grading
included

Class Experience

US Grade 9 - 12
Intermediate - Advanced Level
About me: I am informal, empathetic and funny, I have high standards, and I love my students!  My classes are very much discussion based, and all students' views are solicited and heard.  

The curriculum for this semester includes, in this order: Oedipus the King by Sophocles (Ancient Greek), Things Fall Apart  by Chinua Achebe (Nigerian),  and Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare (English).  Please see the supply list for the recommended editions.  There will also be short stories and poetry, including and "The Second Coming" by William Butler Yeats to accompany Things Fall Apart and "Sonnet 18" to follow Julius Caesar.

While the readings will be the same for both sections of the class, the Monday/Wednesday class is intended for older students and will probably move a little faster and possibly go deeper.   This being said, there are always students of differing abilities in a class, so if your younger child wants/needs to enroll in the Monday/Wednesday class or an older child wants/needs to enroll in the Tuesday/Thursday class, they are welcome!

Weeks 1 and 2 -- We will go over expectations for the class, read a couple of short stories ("The Necklace" and "Louisa, Please Come Home"), and discuss their characters, literary techniques, and central ideas.  Students will also write a TIED paragraph about one of the stories to present to the class.

Weeks 3  - 5 -- Reading and discussion of Oedipus the King's characters, literary techniques, and central ideas. Students will write an essay on their choice of topic related to the book to present to the class, and we will critique each other's writing.

Week 6 -- Reading and discussion of chapters 1- 8 of Things Fall Apart.  
Week 7 - Reading and discussion of chapters 9 - 13 of Things Fall Apart.  
Week 8 - Reading and discussion of chapters  14 - 19 of Things Fall Apart.  
Week 9 - Reading and discussion of chapters 20 - 25 of Things Fall Apart.  
Week 10 - Reading and discussion of poem
Weeks 11-12 - Students will write an essay on their choice of topic related to the book to present to the class, and we will critique each other's writing.
Week 13 - Reading and discussion of Julius Caesar, Act 1
Week 14 - Reading and discussion of Julius Caesar, Act 2
Week 15 - Reading and discussion of Julius Caesar, Act 3
Week 16 - Reading and discussion of Julius Caesar, Act 4
Week 17 - Reading and discussion of Julius Caesar, Act 5
Week 18 - Students will write an essay on their choice of topic related to the book to present to the class, and we will critique each other's writing..
Week 19 - Reading and discussion of poem
Week 20 - Students will write an essay comparing ideas about leadership in two of the three books we've read.

Here are some sample questions for Things Fall Apart: 
Explain some of the proverbs in the book.
Compare ideas about masculinity in Ibo culture with ours.
Is Okonkwo a tragic hero?
A sample essay topic based on Things Fall Apart: Which is more just -- the Ibo system of justice or ours?  

Students will revise each essay, based on my and other students' feedback, at least once.  Grades will be provided according to a rubric which I share.  Students may receive academic credit for this class.  No background experience is required, other than the ability to read and understand the readings with my help, and the willingness to try and to learn from the class.

Learning Goals

The goals of the class are:

to expose students to great writing from different times and places so they can see how humans and societies are similar and different,

to think critically about what we read and what constitutes great writing,

to explore ideas that are raised in literature and relate them to our own experience, 

to understand and empathize with people who are different from ourselves,

to learn the different techniques by which authors express their ideas,

to "read between the lines," or make inferences from a text,

to express our own ideas precisely and vividly, both orally and in writing,

to learn, practice and improve different types of writing, and

to have fun reading and discussing literature.

Other Details

Parental Guidance
The books we will be reading were written for adults. I have chosen them in discussion with a number of parents, and based on my experience, they will be suitable for most, but not all high school students. Parents are welcome to Google them and make their own decisions.
Supply List
Students will need to have copies of the books.  I will provide any additional stories or poems.  The editions I am suggesting, in the order we will be reading them, are: Oedipus the King, University of Chicago Press; Things Fall Apart, Penguin Press; and Julius Caesar, No Fear Shakespeare. 

It would also be helpful to have a set of different colored highlighters or colored pencils, and/or a set of different colored post-it page markers, for noting and differentiating among quotes that show different characters' personalities, literary techniques, themes etc.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
In addition to the books listed, I may provide stories, poetry and background information on historical periods or authors.

Meet the teacher

Joined June, 2023
5.0
8reviews
Profile
Teacher expertise and credentials
New York Teaching Certificate in English/Language Arts
I have a permanent license from New York State to teach English Language Arts, and did so in New York City public high schools for over 20 years.  I have taught online private classes for three years.

Reviews

Parents also liked
Holes: Literature Study and Writing
Wild and Unstructured Learning
4.8
(1,120)
per class
Next session at 2 AM on Wed 2/19
Group Class
10 wks, 1/wk, 55 min
12-16
Literature on Film
Courtney Runchey
4.9
(54)
per session
1-on-1 Tutoring
On Demand
14-18
The Elephant Girl: Literature Study and Writing
Wild and Unstructured Learning
4.8
(1,120)
per class
Next session at 7 PM on Fri 3/7
Group Class
10 wks, 1/wk, 50 min
8-12
Literature Class - Full Course
Savannah Gilmore
4.8
(2,290)
per class
Next session at 4 PM on Fri 8/15
Group Class
18 wks, 1/wk, 1 hr
11-16
One on One Literature Discussions With Mr. Hodge
Mr. Hodge
4.9
(60)
per session
1-on-1 Tutoring
On Demand
13-18
Where The Red Fern Grows: Literature Study Writing
Wild and Unstructured Learning
4.8
(1,120)
per class
Next session at 3 AM on Tue 3/4
Group Class
5 wks, 2/wk, 50 min
10-14
Wonder by R.J. Palacio Literature Study
Wild and Unstructured Learning
4.8
(1,120)
per class
Next session at 2 AM on Sun 3/2
Group Class
10 wks, 1/wk, 1 hr
8-12
The Outsiders: Literature Study and Writing
Wild and Unstructured Learning
4.8
(1,120)
per class
Next session at 8 PM on Thu 3/6
Group Class
7 wks, 1/wk, 55 min
10-15
Foundations in Literature for 4th-6th Graders
Natalie B
4.8
(86)
per class
Next session at 2:15 PM on Mon 9/1
Group Class
36 wks, 2/wk, 40 min
11-14
1:1 tutoring (English Literature and Language)
Ailya Zaman, MA
per session
1-on-1 Tutoring
On Demand
8-18
English Literature for High School Semester
Striving Students Towards Success, LLC.
4.9
(245)
per class
Group Class
18 wks, 1/wk, 1 hr
14-18
Bud Not Buddy: Literature Study and Writing
Wild and Unstructured Learning
4.8
(1,120)
per class
Next session at 2 PM on Tue 3/4
Group Class
10 wks, 1/wk, 50 min
9-12
Renaissance Literature: The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
Neeka Norbury
5.0
(1)
per class
Group Class
6 wks, 1/wk, 45 min
14-18
Tutoring Exclusive Literature-Course 1-On-1 Add-On ELA
Mr. Van, Certified Teacher
5.0
(122)
per session
1-on-1 Tutoring
On Demand
13-15
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli Literature Study
Wild and Unstructured Learning
4.8
(1,120)
per class
Next session at 2 AM on Sat 3/8
Group Class
8 wks, 1/wk, 50 min
13-18
Fairies, Gold, and Witches-- Classic Literature and Book Club for Elementary
Ms. Shannon
4.9
(233)
per class
Next session at 4:30 PM tomorrow
Group Class
1/wk, 40 min
8-12
See More Classes
Home
Search
Give a Gift Card
Open currency, time zone, and language settings
Language & Region
Log In