Harvard Summer School
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
ENGL S-10: Introduction to American Literature
Syllabus – Summer 2025
Instructor: Dr. Sarah Thompson
Email:
[email protected] Room: Sever Hall, Room 102
Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 3:00–4:00 PM
Course Website: Available via Canvas
1. Course Overview
This course, offered through Harvard Summer School, introduces high school students to
key works in American literature from the 19th and 20th centuries. Through novels, short
stories, and poetry, students will explore themes of identity, freedom, and social justice. The
course fosters critical reading, analytical writing, and discussion skills, preparing students for
advanced literary studies. All course materials and assignments will be accessible via Canvas,
Harvard’s learning management system. This syllabus serves as a contract between instructor
and students, outlining expectations and policies.[](https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/syllabus-
design)
1.1 Learning Objectives
• Identify and analyze major themes and literary devices in American literature.
• Develop clear, evidence-based arguments in written essays.
• Engage in collaborative discussions to deepen textual understanding.
• Connect literary works to historical and cultural contexts.
2. Required Materials
• The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (provided digitally via Canvas).
• The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (available at Harvard Library or online).
• Selected short stories and poems (posted on Canvas).
• Notebook, pen/pencil, and access to a device for Canvas submissions.
Students are encouraged to use Harvard Library’s electronic resources for additional readings.
Links to these resources are available on the course Canvas site.[](https://infoforfaculty.fas.harvard.edu/book
materialssyllabi)
1
3. Grading Policy
Grades are calculated based on the following weighted system:
• Participation: 20% (class discussions and in-class activities)
• Writing Assignments: 30% (two essays, 500–750 words each)
• Quizzes: 20% (reading comprehension and analysis)
• Final Project: 30% (analytical essay or creative presentation, due Week 6)
Late Work Policy: Late assignments lose 5% per day unless an extension is granted in
advance. Email the instructor for accommodations. Grading policies are transparent to
ensure fairness.[](https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/syllabus-design)
4. Classroom Expectations
• Respect: Listen actively and value diverse perspectives.
• Preparation: Complete readings and assignments before class.
• Integrity: Submit original work and cite sources per MLA guidelines.
• Engagement: Participate in discussions and group work.
Students are expected to adhere to Harvard’s academic policies, available on Canvas.[](https://www.gsd.har
checklist/)
5. Course Schedule
This tentative schedule outlines key readings and assignments. Updates will be posted on
Canvas.[](https://infoforfaculty.fas.harvard.edu/book/course-materialssyllabi)
• Week 1: Puritan Roots and Identity
– Reading: The Scarlet Letter, Chapters 1–8.
– Assignment: 250-word response on Hester Prynne’s character.
– In-Class: Discussion on Puritan values.
• Week 2: Romanticism and Individualism
– Reading: The Scarlet Letter, Chapters 9–16; Emerson’s “Self-Reliance” (Canvas).
– Quiz: Reading comprehension.
– Assignment: Prepare discussion questions.
• Week 3: The American Dream
– Reading: The Great Gatsby, Chapters 1–5.
2
– Assignment: 500-word essay on Gatsby’s pursuit of the American Dream.
– In-Class: Group analysis of symbolism.
• Week 4: Modernism and Disillusionment
– Reading: The Great Gatsby, Chapters 6–9; Hemingway’s “Hills Like White Ele-
phants” (Canvas).
– Quiz: Literary devices.
– Assignment: Draft final project proposal.
• Week 5: Social Justice in Literature
– Reading: Poetry by Langston Hughes and Toni Morrison’s “Recitatif” (Canvas).
– Assignment: 750-word essay on race and identity.
– In-Class: Debate on social themes.
• Week 6: Synthesis and Reflection
– Assignment: Final project due (1,000-word essay or creative presentation).
– In-Class: Student presentations and course reflection.
6. Contact Information
For questions or accommodations, contact Dr. Thompson at [email protected]
or during office hours. Teaching assistants’ contact details are available on Canvas. This syl-
labus complies with Harvard’s Digital Accessibility Policy.[](https://www.gsd.harvard.edu/resources/syllabu
checklist/)
