The course is to be taught historically, by means of lectures, class study of the most important authors, and much collateral reading. The purpose is to arouse an interest and pride in America’s literary product, therefore the work is taught more broadly than in preceding terms. Preface the course with a brief consideration of what is meant by the term literature, and with a review of simple poetics as a basis for the future study of poetry.
1. Poetry. Select for study poems not usually read in the grammar school, unless the well known have a content of growing interest; examples: Longfellow’s Keramos, Amalfi, Morituri Salutamis; Lowell’s Commemoration Ode; Emerson’s Each and All.
2. The novel. Same plan as in preceding term.
3. The short story. Develop (1) the characteristics of a successful short story; (2) the differences between this and a novel; (3) the various types of short story; (4) some definite standards of judgment for future use.
4. The essay. Read mainly to stimulate thought on life.
5. Make the collateral reading an important part of this course. Have outside reading done on each author studied and on others for whom there is not time for class work. Help toward intelligent, appreciative reading by assigning special topics on the literature read, and give occasional recitation periods to oral reports.
6. Have occasional oral readings from authors not studied in class, especially the best of the later poets. This may be done frequently in five-minute exercises at the beginning of the recitations.
7. Put early into the hands of the students a classified list of the best American authors. Stimulate in every possible way the desire to read.
TWELFTH YEAR.
General Purpose for the Year.