What is English?
Eng·lish [ing-glish or, often, -lish] from dictionary.com
adjective
- belonging or pertaining to, or spoken or written in, the English language
noun
- English language, composition, and literature as offered as a course of study in school
English is the West Germanic language of England, now commonly used throughout the world. There are three main divisions in the English language: Old English (c.450–c.1150), Middle English (c.1150–c.1475), and Modern English (c.1475 - present). Over 280 million people call English their native language! Beyond the spoken word, English is often thought of as reading and writing, but in truth it is so much more. At the heart of English is language, and with a mastery of language, you can do almost anything. Language gives you the ability to share anything, whether it be a story, emotion, or an argument. The possibilities are endless. Everything is open to interpretation in English, and if you can back up your claims with evidence, there are no wrong answers.This class will test your ability to think critically about a text and what the author is trying to say. After this class, your skills in close reading, critical thinking, and writing will have substantially improved. Another great way to use language is to express yourself. Writing is a great way to develop an idea born from a stray thought. Every story begins with a single word.
adjective
- belonging or pertaining to, or spoken or written in, the English language
noun
- English language, composition, and literature as offered as a course of study in school
English is the West Germanic language of England, now commonly used throughout the world. There are three main divisions in the English language: Old English (c.450–c.1150), Middle English (c.1150–c.1475), and Modern English (c.1475 - present). Over 280 million people call English their native language! Beyond the spoken word, English is often thought of as reading and writing, but in truth it is so much more. At the heart of English is language, and with a mastery of language, you can do almost anything. Language gives you the ability to share anything, whether it be a story, emotion, or an argument. The possibilities are endless. Everything is open to interpretation in English, and if you can back up your claims with evidence, there are no wrong answers.This class will test your ability to think critically about a text and what the author is trying to say. After this class, your skills in close reading, critical thinking, and writing will have substantially improved. Another great way to use language is to express yourself. Writing is a great way to develop an idea born from a stray thought. Every story begins with a single word.
Why Take This Class?
Taking a course in American Literature is a fantastic way to experience views of American history that you did not experience firsthand. None of us were alive during the Roaring Twenties, but we can experience the corruption of the time period and the dissatisfaction with the American Dream through Jay Gatsby's longing for something money can't buy. Neither were we alive during the Dust Bowl, but the Joad family's hardships give us insight into the extreme poverty of the time. Another great benefit of reading novels all originally written in English is that nothing is lost in translation. You will be reading material in the words carefully chosen by the author.
Further Reading
Click here for a brief history of the English language.
Click here for Modern Library's 100 Best Novels - a few of which we will be reading this year!
Click here for Modern Library's 100 Best Novels - a few of which we will be reading this year!