CLASS DESCRIPTION

The literary, intellectual and religious revolutions that took place in the 19th and 20th centuries were events whose echoes remain with us still. The purpose of this course is to guide the student through some of the best literary fiction written in that time period, placing each book within its historical and imaginative context with background information on the authors’ lives and experiences. This class and the modern history course are designed as each other’s complement, and it is recommended but not required that the student who enrolls in this class also consider enrolling in Mr. Banks’ Readings in Later Modern History course as well.

There will be a minimum of graded assignments in this class. At the end of first and second semesters, each student will compose an essay describing what he or she has learned in each of the books we have read together, and the significance of each of these books and authors within the culture of the modern western world.

Asynchronous Option: 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. Asynchronous students may also submit a midterm and final and receive a grade for the course. 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).

Bundle with Readings in Later Modern History at registration and save $50.