Students will be taught biographical information on the author as well as focus solely on the short stories of Edgar Allan Poe. The class will be structured in the following manner:

1. Brief lecture on the story being presented (including some author biographical information behind the work).
2. Discussion questions will be presented to guide conversation.
3. Classroom conversation that includes students and teacher regarding themes and other ideas students may bring up regarding the story.
4. Preview of the story to read for next week.

This class will be presented in the format of a seminar where students have the opportunity to engage in a focused discussion on literature and the themes found within the literature. Students do not need any prior knowledge with the author to appreciate and participate within the class. 

Week 1 - Introduction to the course. Students will learn biographical information on the author, Edgar Allan Poe. The story, The Tell-Tale Heart, will be reviewed to introduce students to the material as well as some of the common themes found within Poe's work.  Students will have the chance to answer questions about the author and the work. The teacher will provide a preview of the reading assignment for Week 2 (The Cask of Amontillado).

Week 2 - Discussion of the Short Story - The Cask of Amontillado. The teacher will provide a brief lecture on themes found within the story and ask guiding discussion questions to spark conversation regarding student impressions of the story they read for class. The teacher will also add to the conversation with responses that highlight important literary techniques and elements of figurative language found within the story. The teacher will provide a preview of the reading assignment for Week 2 (The Fall of the House of Usher).

Week 3 - Discussion of the Short Story - The Fall of the House of Usher. The teacher will provide a brief lecture on themes found within the story and ask guiding discussion questions to spark conversation regarding student impressions of the story they read for class. The teacher will also add to the conversation with responses that highlight important literary techniques and elements of figurative language found within the story. The teacher will provide a preview of the reading assignment for Week 3 (The Pit and the Pendulum).

Week 4 - Discussion of the Short Story - The Pit and the Pendulum. The teacher will provide a brief lecture on themes found within the story and ask guiding discussion questions to spark conversation regarding student impressions of the story they read for class. The teacher will also add to the conversation with responses that highlight important literary techniques and elements of figurative language found within the story. The teacher will make final comments on the author and also show students how to access other works by Poe, specifically his poetry.