Jane Austen Course Description

 Note: This class is canceled for the Fall 2011 semester

  What does it cover?

Jane Austen is one of the most famous and beloved authors in the English language, and is admired by scholars and general readers alike. The last 15 years have seen an upsurge in interest in her work, with frequent new film adaptations and dozens of Austen spinoffs on bookstore shelves. Why is Austen so popular?  This class will uncover why as we examine how Austen uses ordinary materials--a few families in a country village--to explore perennial themes such as the nature of family, community, morality, self-knowledge, and more. 

This one-semester elective course (16 weeks) will study all six of Austen's novels, as well as her juvenilia (teenage writing). We will also gain familiarity with Austen's predecessors, her life story, and the time period in which she wrote. Students will come away with a greater appreciation for literature in general and Austen's work in particular.

Who is it for?

This high school-level  course is reading-intensive, spending just two weeks on each novel. Due to the amount of reading and the nature of class discussion and assignments, this course is recommended for students who are strong readers. All students will be expected to participate in class discussions. Evaluation  will be based on their participation as well as other assignments including written summaries, class presentations, quizzes, and one formal paper at the end of the semester.

How does it work? 

Class meets for two hours per week. Along with the reading assignments, students are provided with discussion questions to help prepare for class, and take frequent quizzes to encourage careful reading. Writing assignments are returned with teacher feedback. Students and parents can check their progress and grades online throughout the semester. 

 Class Time: Wednesdays, 12:30-2:30PM Mountain Time. (11:30-1:30 Pacific, 1:30-3:30 Central, 2:30-4:30 Eastern.). Begins August 24th.

The total cost for this 16-week course is $275

>> Register for Jane Austen

Required Texts

The following books are required for this class, but you may use different editions from those that are linked, if you have them. 

 

 

Optional: I will be using/referring to the following books. They won't be assigned reading, but students may be interested in using them as well.