Description
American Literature Course Overview
This class is approved by the NCAA.
This class is part of the MyFunScience online homeschool classes, which offer live instruction for middle school and high school students.
This homeschool American Literature class explores the development of American writing from the Puritan era through the early twentieth century.
American Literature traces the development of American writing from the Puritan era through the early twentieth century, beginning with Jonathan Edwards and concluding with John Steinbeck. Students study major literary movements—including Puritanism, Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism, and Modernism—while examining how American identity and cultural values evolved across time. Students studying United States History will find helpful connections between historical events and the literature of each period.
The primary focus of the course is literary analysis. Students evaluate theme, symbolism, plot development, characterization, and historical context while strengthening critical thinking and academic writing skills. Students who want additional practice with literary interpretation may also benefit from courses such as Introduction to Literary Analysis.
Watch a Sample Live Online Class Session
Course Overview
- High School Credit: 0.5 credit
- Recommended Grade Level: Grades 10–12
- Format: Weekly live online literature class
- Estimated Workload: 30–60 minutes per day
High School Credit
- 0.5 credit
Recommended Grade Level
- Grades 10–12
Prerequisites
Helpful but not required:
- Ability to write strong, organized paragraphs
- Experience developing thesis statements
- Mastery of parts of speech and phrases
- Familiarity with clauses (adjectival, adverbial, subordinate, etc.)
- Basic knowledge of MLA format, including in-text citations and Works Cited pages
Students who want to strengthen their writing skills may also benefit from classes such as Writing ER or Writing the Research Paper.
Course Themes & Focus
- Development of American literary identity
- Historical and cultural influences on writing
- Close reading and textual analysis
- Analytical essays and research-based writing
- Creative and interpretive projects
Primary Texts
- The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
- Young Goodman Brown and Other Short Stories – Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Raven and Other Favorite Poems – Edgar Allan Poe
- Humorous Stories and Sketches – Mark Twain
- The Red Badge of Courage – Stephen Crane
- The Road Not Taken and Other Poems – Robert Frost
- This Side of Paradise – F. Scott Fitzgerald
- The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway
- The Pearl – John Steinbeck
- My Ántonia – Willa Cather
Additional handouts and digital readings will be provided as needed.
Course Structure
The fall semester focuses on early American literature through Mark Twain, including analytical essays and a semester project. The spring semester moves into Realism, Modernism, and twentieth-century works, incorporating research assignments, creative projects, and a comprehensive final examination.
Students complete multiple analytical papers throughout the year, as well as both creative and non-fiction projects designed to deepen interpretive understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a live online American Literature class?
Yes. Students attend a weekly live online literature class where the instructor guides discussions, lectures on literary movements, and provides feedback on analytical writing.
Is this class designed for homeschool students?
Yes. This course is designed specifically for homeschool students seeking structured literature instruction and high school credit.
What time period of literature does the course cover?
The course begins with early American writers such as Jonathan Edwards and Benjamin Franklin and continues through nineteenth- and early twentieth-century authors including Twain, Frost, Fitzgerald, Hemingway, and Steinbeck.
Do students write essays in this course?
Yes. Students complete multiple analytical essays as well as research and creative projects to deepen their understanding of American literary themes and historical context.
Estimated Workload
Approximately 30–60 minutes per day, Monday through Friday, depending on reading assignments and projects.
Student Reflections
“The most valuable piece of knowledge I will take away from this course is how to critique and appreciate literature. As I read more books, I noticed certain types of characters I enjoy, characters I don’t enjoy, and certain techniques that shape meaning. It’s important to me to understand literature more deeply and to develop my own informed opinions.”
“The most valuable skill I gained is the ability to analyze literature and look past the story to find hidden meaning. Many stories have underlying messages, and I find it fascinating to uncover them.”
“I loved how poetic descriptions made me think about how word choice shapes meaning. Literature feels richer and more powerful now.”
