Red, White and Lit (American Literature)

Red, White, and Lit (American Literature)

Materials Fees: $21

Homework Rating: 4 (homework REQUIRED. Heavy reading, a whole novel, short story or poem per week)

Book List:

Little Women – Louisa May Alcott (1868-69)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn – Mark Twain (1885)
The Great Gatsby – F. Scott Fitzgerald (1925)
Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck (1937)
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee (1960)
The Catcher in the Rye – J.D. Salinger (1951)
Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury (1953)
Station Eleven – Emily St. John Mandel (2014)

This fast-paced, reading-intensive course explores the evolution of American culture and history through literature, starting with the foundational documents that shaped the nation. Students will engage with a wide range of texts, including eight novels, poetry, and short stories, spanning from the early days of the republic to contemporary works.

Through close reading, analysis, and discussion, we will examine how literature reflects and critiques the American experience—addressing themes of freedom, identity, justice, resistance, and the American Dream. This course covers major literary movements, from Transcendentalism and Realism to the Harlem Renaissance and Dystopian Fiction, with an emphasis on how historical context shapes storytelling.

Students should expect a challenging workload, including weekly reading assignments, written responses, and class discussions. This course is ideal for those who enjoy literature, history, and critical thinking. Be prepared to read, analyze, and engage deeply with texts that define American thought and culture.