This class is perfect for motivated learners and lovers of English and reading, particularly honors-level juniors or seniors who are looking towards higher education in the near future.

The canon is important to know, and we won't shy away from that, but voices outside of the canon are equally deserving of being read (and equally rewarding to read!). That said, my own reading biases mean that students will be exposed to a lot of speculative fiction/sf, along with more traditional literary fiction.

While class time will be spent in rigorous discussion, digging deep to unpack the symbolism and meaning within even elusive stories, learners should know that their opinions need not align with mine nor their classmates'. I am far more concerned with helping them to critically examine texts and articulate those viewpoints (using text-supported arguments) than to make sure they have the "right" answer about x, y, or z. Their unique worldview and personhood is respected here.

As time goes on, learners will broaden their reading horizons, gain knowledge of past & contemporary authors, soak up terminology they'll hear in those ENG 101 (or 500) classrooms, and enjoy spirited discussions with their classmates!

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Story Schedule:

8/14/2024 - "Exhalation" by Ted Chiang

8/21/2024 - "Rules of the Game" by Amy Tan

8/28/2024 - "Mono No Aware" by Ken Liu

9/04/2024 - "Girl" by Jamaica Kincaid

9/11/2024 - "The Second Bakery Attack" by Haruki Murakami

9/18/2024 - "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson