What is the purpose of this course?

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1 What is the purpose of this course? AP English Literature and Composition introduces students to the essentials of literary study and literary analysis writing. The course provides a broad exposure to classic literature as students read and discuss representative masterworks from classical times to the present and a variety of literary genres, including drama, novels, and poetry. Students hone their writing skills through essay assignments, receiving detailed feedback both in peer writing groups and from their instructor. *Advanced Placement and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product. Students learn to appreciate and analyze literary artistry how literature communicates effectively and beautifully. They also wrestle with the themes and questions raised by great literature what it has to say and why it matters. The course challenges students to approach reading and writing from a biblical worldview. The Bible is profoundly literary in nature, explains course designer Dr. Steven Hake. Our God is a great artist and poet.... The deepest themes in [the works we study] underscore and emphasize the truth found in the Bible respecting creation, fall and redemption.

2 What do students learn about in this course? Over the course of the school year, students will explore: Major literary epochs Students will observe how literary styles and ideas developed over time, and will be able to see the literature they read in the context of its historical period. In the process, they will gain a deeper understanding of their cultural heritage. The periods covered in the course are: Background I: Classical Background II: Medieval Renaissance Neoclassical Romantic 19th Century Realism/Naturalism 20th Century Major types of literature Students will read poetry, drama, and narrative, learning the characteristics of different literary genres and how best to read and analyze them. Literary terms Students will become comfortable using the language of literary art and craftsmanship, which will improve their ability to analyze literature and help them prepare for the AP exam. Fundamentals of classical rhetoric Through practice, students will learn to write with rich content, logical organization, effective style, and specific word choice. As they compose, revise, and learn from critical feedback, they will build competence and confidence as writers. What books will students read? Students read the following literary works: Odyssey (Homer) Oedipus Rex (Sophocles) Inferno (Dante) Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare) Hamlet (Shakespeare) Paradise Lost (Milton) Gulliver s Travels (Swift) Frankenstein (Shelley) Crime and Punishment (Dostoevsky) The Death of Ivan Ilyich (Tolstoy) Heart of Darkness (Conrad) The Glass Menagerie (Williams) The Metamorphosis (Kafka) Waiting for Godot (Beckett) The Top 500 Poems (Harmon, editor) They will also use two additional books: Elements of Style (Strunk and White) Barron s AP English Literature and Composition, 4th edition (Ehrenhaft) PHC Prep Academy s AP English Literature and Composition Page 2

3 Who teaches AP English Literature? MASTER TEACHER Dr. Steven Hake designed PHC Prep s AP English Literature and Composition course. Dr. Hake has taught at Patrick Henry College since it opened in 2000 and chairs the Department of Classical Liberal Arts. Prior to coming to PHC, he chaired the Rivendell Study Center and served as a teacher and missionary in Taiwan. CLASSROOM TEACHER Ms. Jennifer Schlaudt studied under Dr. Hake at Patrick Henry College and graduated with a B.A. in Literature in Ms. Schlaudt has taught and tutored in a variety of settings, both online and in person, over the past seven years. She has taught AP English Literature and Composition since 2010, when PHC Prep Academy first offered the course. CLASSROOM TEACHER Ms. Emily-Rose Cockerham earned her B.A. in Literature from Patrick Henry College. Prior to teaching with PHC Prep Academy, Ms. Cockerham worked with high school students as a writing mentor, taught Worldviews in Literature courses, and edited writings varying from young adult novels to doctoral theses. This will be her second year teaching AP English Literature and Composition. CLASSROOM TEACHER Mr. Caleb Nelson expanded his literary horizons while studying literature at Patrick Henry College and writing book reviews for World Magazine. An avid reader since early childhood, he is now studying the greatest literature ever penned, the Bible, at Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and pursuing ordination in the Presbyterian Church in America. This will be his second year teaching with PHC Prep. PHC Prep Academy s AP English Literature and Composition Page 3

4 What is a typical week like in AP English Lit? Every week, students will... Complete assigned readings. A week s readings may be a play or a group of short poems. Longer works such as a novel or epic poem are typically split across more than one week. Post in a discussion forum to respond to discussion questions and dialogue with classmates about the week s literature readings. Attend a virtual classroom session with their Classroom Teacher and classmates. Several times a year, the students will also meet with the Master Teacher for a unit review discussion. Log in online to read course messages and access learning content, including audio lectures, posted online readings, and reference documents. During most weeks, students will also... Write or revise literary essays. Some weeks, students will draft a new essay. Other weeks, they will focus on revising their essays. Students will workshop most papers in writing groups prior to submitting a final draft. Take quizzes or tests. Many quizzes and tests in the course imitate the format of questions found on the AP exam. English Literature was, without a doubt, the best course I took in high school. Every time I pick up a book now, I find myself critiquing the author s work and thinking of how they could improve it. I ll never be able to mindlessly read a book again! Lauren, VA PHC Prep Academy s AP English Literature and Composition Page 4

5 When is a student ready to take this course? This is a rigorous, college-level course. PHC Prep recommends that students complete at least one advanced high school English course before enrolling. Students in AP English Literature and Composition should have mature reading comprehension skills and be prepared for an intensive reading schedule. They should have read literary classics from a variety of genres and time periods in other high school English courses prior to studying literature at the AP level. Students should enter the course with strong writing skills and be prepared for frequent essay assignments. The course assumes that students already know how to write with correct grammar and mechanics. They should be familiar with the basics of composing academic essays. Because this course requires a high level of academic and personal maturity, the AP English Literature instructors strongly recommend that students wait to enroll until they are at least 15 years old. This class gave me a very deep understanding of literature and how it has changed over time. The book selections, the classroom teacher s insights, and Dr. Hake s commentary on the books were excellent. William, TX What is it like to study online with PHC Prep? Taking a course online provides flexibility for students with varied schedules. They can access instructional materials and complete weekly assignments at their own convenience. However, PHC Prep courses are not simply independent studies. Students receive personal feedback from their instructors on assignments and can always contact them with questions. They have many opportunities to learn interactively with their instructors and fellow students in discussion forums, via , and in virtual class sessions. Every PHC Prep course has real-time virtual classroom sessions each week. In AP English Literature, some weeks have an additional session with the Master Teacher. Sessions are recorded to accommodate schedule conflicts. PHC Prep Academy s AP English Literature and Composition Page 5

6 Why take an Advanced Placement course? AP courses enable motivated students to study a subject at the college level while still in high school. The challenging, indepth coursework prepares students for the rigors of college, demonstrates a high level of academic achievement when they apply for college, and equips them to score well on AP exams. High AP exam scores can qualify students to receive college credit, skip lower-level classes or both at most colleges and universities. The class interactions, instruction, assignments, and worldview discussions vastly exceeded my expectations.... I was well prepared for the AP exam. Most importantly, this class strengthened my faith. Being surrounded by Christian teachers and classmates who enthusiastically shared their faith via the setting of literature changed the way I view education in general. Elissa, AR Learn more about AP courses and exams at Go online to look up class times and class section availability: PHC Prep Academy s AP English Literature and Composition Page 6