British Literature & Composition

  • Literature with great action and characters
  • Variety of active learning methods planned into each class
  • High interest for students who don't usually like "old literature"
British Literature & Composition (BL)

Learn about "Honors" option here: Honors Details


Grades: 10-12, 9 with permission of instructor


Tuesdays, 9:30 to 12:15 with breaks


DOE course number: 23.05200


One core credit


One weekly class with two 90-min sections


This is a great class for those who normally don't enjoy literature: there is plenty of action in Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, and Renaissance works, for example. The lit survey covers historical works and authors that every student should be familiar with before graduation—from Beowulf to Canterbury Tales and Hamlet, and from Shakespeare to Moderns like Mary Shelley and T.S. Eliot.

Students learn to read, analyze, and write about various styles of great literature, all of which were hits in their time period and are still wonderful stories today. Class discussions often lead into the "great world of ideas," and on-our-feet activities keep the class time moving and interactive. Role playing, illustrating, expressive reading, informal debate, and many types of group work add variety to text study. A mock trial of Victor Frankenstein is often one of spring's activities.

Text: England in Literature, Scott Foresman, ISBN 0673129225. Digital copies are loaned out for the year in lieu of printed copies. Also, an unabridged copy of Frankenstein is needed in the spring.

Optional reading can add extra credit and/or honors credit. See list and plan here: Reading List

Would you like to meet up and talk about this class? Contact Margaret at shumanhw@gmail.com. We can meet for a walk or for coffee/tea at a location that works for us both! You can also visit any Shuman class with or without your student, any time.

Tuition: $100 per month, Aug-Apr. Tuition includes instructor's admin fees, guest speaker/actor fees, and supplies.

For further information on discounts and to enroll, visit the Eastside Website

© Margaret Shuman. All rights reserved