English 11: Literary Studies
This course has been designed to meet the requirements of the new English Language Arts 10-12 curriculum as outlined by the Ministry of Education. It is a 4 credit course that provides students with an English 11 credit.
View the complete Learning Standards for this course: English 11: Literary Studies
It is recommended that students take English 10 prior to enrolling in this course.
Course Description
This course is for students who love literature! The approach is a little bit different from some other English classes in that we focus on inquiry and metacognition throughout. There are also three very brief Zoom calls to attend to meet your teacher and to help guide your learning. You will have some choice in what you read; examples include Tolstoy, Shakespeare, and Bradbury.
Example inquiry questions include:
- How is literature defined differently by different cultures and time periods, and what does that reveal about its role in shaping human identity?
- In what ways does literature serve different purposes across cultures and times, and how do those purposes shape our own understanding of its value today?
- When technology intervenes in your own relationships, how can literature help you notice, question, or re-balance your connections?
Some essential questions we explore in each module include:
- How do I feel as I read something?
- How might someone else interpret what we are reading differently?
- What deeper ideas are embedded in the readings beyond the obvious?
- How might the course content connect to something larger – e.g. the community or the world I live in right now?
Course Structure:
The course has four inquiry modules and one supervised written assessment. Student agency (voice & choice) gradually increases in each module. This permits students to take ownership of their learning. Example assignments include essays, learning guides, discussions, oral presentations, and open-ended projects.
- Module 1: Technology and Short Stories
- Module 2: The Role of Literature
- Module 3: Novel Study
- Module 4: Independent Inquiry
Supervised Assessment: A two-hour supervised writing assessment.
Grade Structure
| Initial Assignment | 5% |
| Module 1 | 15% |
| Module 2 | 20% |
| Module 3 | 20% |
| Module 4 | 25% |
| Supervised Assessment | 15% |
Required Resources: a computer with internet access and speakers or headphones.