Undercover: Classics and the Author’s Craft
A good book is like a delicious meal—full of spices, secret ingredients, and little magic—all blended together to create something delicious that stays with you long after you’re done. And like a delicious meal, a classic book is one you want to visit over and over again, because it has new life each time you pick it up.
So how does an author do it? And why should you care? What happens when you dissect a story, examine each piece, and discover powerful messages that the author has hidden in plain sight? You become enlightened and inspired … and your soul is well-fed. Join us as we delve deep into the world of the literary classic.
Through lively group discussions and thought-provoking written papers, you will explore setting, theme, character and more. As a group, we will seek to uncover how an author creates a book that stays with you long after you turn the last page. And when we’re done, you’ll never read a book the same way again.
Time | Ages 15 - 18 | Class Blog |
Mentors Co-Mentor Anna Mock | Level Depth or Breadth? Depth | Tuition $70 Winter Semester $45 |
Prerequisites
None.
Materials Required
A notebook for taking notes and pen/pencil.
Homework
You will read novels–broken up to read approximately 100 pages per week–and come prepared to discuss what you read in class. Because book discussions will be a large portion of the class content, staying caught up with the reading is imperative. You will also read short stories and discuss literary elements.
In addition, you will write papers on many of the books. In these papers, you will discuss literary elements, including theme, character, setting, description, etc. Some of these papers will ask you to explore larger themes and ideas with the content from several books that we have read.
You will also have punctuation, spelling, and grammar homework.
Notes
You will read great literary works over the course of two semesters. Fall semester will include: Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird, Silas Marner, The Chosen, and A Christmas Carol. Winter semester will most likely include: The Book Thief, Of Mice and Men, The Great Divorce, Life of Pi, and The Importance of Being Earnest. These books were carefully chosen for their literary value and inspiring content. As you read them, you will discover powerful, life-changing themes and ideas. Some of these books address serious issues and topics including occasional potentially offensive language. In keeping with the vision of Aspire Scholar Academy, our activities and book discussions are aimed towards building an “uplifting learning community” and facilitating the students development of “Christ-like character.” As mentors we aim to use these experiences to not only teach literary analysis skills (e.g., outlining, essay writing, and grammar), but to help students think critically, compassionately, and creatively in pursuing the True, the Good, and the Beautiful.
NOTE: Books are purchased by mentors and included in the cost of tuition because students need to have the same editions of each book. However, students will need to purchase the first book of fall semester (Animal Farm) because it will be read before the first day of class..
Books Students Provide
Title: Animal Farm
Required: yes - Fall
Own or share with sibling? Can share
Notes: Purchase here on Amazon. (Students must purchase this exact copy of Animal farm so that all students have the same edition.)