CLASS DESCRIPTION

This class is designed both for Adults and High School Students who are looking for a foundational year in how to read before taking my other classes. Some students prefer to take this class as a capstone year as well because we do cover some literary theory.

This class will provide training in the skill and art of reading. With a heavy emphasis on learning how to read metaphorically, students will also learn how stories work, the grammar of stories (Bible stories, myths, fairy tales, fables, and legends) and how every story talks to every other story. Our primary focus will be understanding how each literary work–and even each literary image–is an opening to the whole world of literature. We will also cover some literary theory in the context of understanding both how to recover the Aristotelian literary tradition and how we lost it.

How is this class different from my other High School classes?  The High School classes are in-depth chronological classes which place classic works of literature in their scholarly tradition and historical, cultural, and literary backgrounds, as well as looking at the chronological development of ideas and form. There will be some of that kind of material covered in this class, but the primary focus will be on learning how to read well, slowly, astutely. This class will focus on the skill and art of reading and will then apply and develop those skills over a variety of genres and time periods.

The Less is More Approach:  In my classes, I prefer to teach students how to think deeply and engage thoughtfully with literary texts. Therefore, I deliberately limit the number of works we cover.  This allows students to read slowly and truly contemplate what they are reading, rather than rushing through huge reading lists with very little understanding—or enjoyment. Alexander Pope famously wrote, “A little learning is a dangerous thing. Drink deep, or taste not…”  We drink very deeply.

Students (especially those who are not as Humanities oriented) respond very well to the less is more approach.  It is a true delight to watch their confidence and excitement build as they begin to truly understand and enjoy intimidating old books.

Assignments: This is a class that will teach the art and skill of reading well. There are no other assignments other than reading, and no grade will be issued. Parents may assign a grade for their student.

Asynchronous Option: This class is our most popular asynchronous class. Students have access to the streaming videos of the course to watch on their own time plus the LIVE Canvas Discussion forum for a full year. The classes are not discussion based and instead focus on the skill and art of reading well. Many students even prefer the asynchronous option because they can pause and rewind when taking notes. (Live students also have access to the course videos to rewatch for note-taking)