Exploring Ethics In Literature

Description

Subject: English Language Arts

Grades: 11-12 (suggested but not required)

Course Length: 16 weeks / 1 semester at a time; up to 2 semesters total

Meets: 2x week for 1 hour
Fall 2026: 12pm-1pm, Mondays and Wednesdays, Sept. 7th – Dec. 16th, 2026
Spring 2027: 12pm-1pm, Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 4th – May 12th, 2027

Description:

What do I think ‘integrity’ means? How have people struggled with that question since the beginning of time?

How can I develop and express informed opinions?

Why do people do what they do?

In “Exploring Ethics in Literature,” an 11th-12th grade language arts cohort, students will learn to analyze and express ideas, including some of the most challenging of human nature. They will creatively engage with relevant guiding questions such as those above. Students are not taught what to think, but how to think, by engaging and evolving as they grapple with new challenges throughout life. Long texts in year one will include: Frankenstein (prose and graphic versions), Antigone, Macbeth, and at least one student-chosen free-reading book. Shorter readings will be provided online.

Key Topics:

• Lifelong Learning Skills
• Media Literacy
• Critical Thinking
• Self-Expression

Longer Texts:

• Frankenstein – original text by Mary Shelley and graphic novel by Gris Grimly – Semester 1
• Antigone by Sophocles, and Macbeth by William Shakespeare – Semester 2

Special Notes: Families are responsible for obtaining copies of the longer texts listed above (library or ebook options are OK – all but the graphic novel of Frankenstein are free online).

Additional Info:

• Click here to view the syllabus (link coming soon)
• Click here to view the teacher bio (link coming soon)