Introduction to Search for Self in Literature Junior/Senior Semester Course Mrs. Levanduski Fall of 2013

Search for Self (College Preparatory) Curriculum Course Philosophy with Rationale Search for Self in literature is a disciplined curriculum intended for the college bound eleventh or twelfth grade student interested in analyzing literature to question and define their increasing roles in society, assist them in determining the costs and rewards of their choices and actions as they are poised to enter adulthood. The course is designed to challenge students to use literature to examine who they are as individuals and members of society. The course requires students to examine novels, short stories, plays, poetry, essays, and films focusing on the course’s essential questions. Students will engage in reading, self-reflections, analytical, and creative writing. At the end of the course, the students will have the tools to better understand themselves and that literature is a vehicle to illuminate life’s journey. It is expected that students in this course have some proficiency as readers, writers and public speakers; the course is designed to enrich and enhance these already existing skills. This course is designed to enhance student communication skills in all content areas and provide a strong foundation for students who desire to continue their studies in humanities through college and beyond. Instruction will stress: cooperative learning; student-based exploration; performance-based learning; elements of writing workshop including drafting, revising, critical editing and final product; vocabulary and grammar enhancement; both student and teacher led discussion; and teacher directed lecture.

The Goals of the Course Throughout the semester students will: implement various reading techniques and analytical skills to closely examine literature that addresses the issues of identity from a variety of periods, genres, cultures and authors. use the writing process to produce various forms of essays and one creative writing piece demonstrating an effective use of style, voice, diction, vocabulary and mechanics. practice speaking clearly and effectively in small and large group settings. practice active listening from a variety of sources and situations including plays, lectures, small group discussions, presentations, film and other media.

Essential Questions in Search for Self 1.How do I define myself? 2.How do others define me? 3.Why is it a struggle to define myself? 4.How does literature help me to define myself? 5.Who am I really? ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Abraham Maslow American psychologist best know for creating Maslow’s heirarchy of needs.

 Human needs are arranged in a hierarchy  People must satisfy basic needs before they can satisfy higher needs  Individuals progress upward in the hierarchy as needs at each level are met  Maslow believed that human nature dictates the order of the various levels of needs  Maslow theorized that people strive for personal growth—the desire to evolve toward a higher state of being  Each of us is striving to fulfill our individual potential—to reach the uppermost level of Maslow’s hierarchy— Self-Actualization “What a man can be, he must be.—Abraham Maslow

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

References Weiten, W. (1998). Themes and variations, 4 th edition. New York: Brooks/Cole