Intercultural Literature 12 (Period 4)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Intercultural Literature 12 presents a literary and socio-cultural analysis of representative work by American and transnational authors who, collaboratively, illustrate the ethnic and cultural diversity of our global society.  The course operates around four primary units of study: race/ethnicity, immigration/movement and space, gender/orientation, and, finally the art of intercultural practice. 

The objective of intercultural training and the study of respective texts revolves around the procurement of a firm understanding of meaningful cultural exchange through dialogue in the domains mentioned previously. Intercultural Literature 12 is designed to: engage learners in reading, thinking, and discussing issues and concepts associated with the major issues that affect cultural diversity in society; the development of critical thinking and intercultural competence through the analysis of texts through a discussion-based, Socratic-method format; the examination of different literary genres (i.e., fiction, prose, poetry, etc.), and the analysis of  nonfictional sources of literature and information (i.e., articles, film, multimedia, etc.) that reveal the historical, social, and cultural complexities that help explain culture today. In this writing-intensive, seminar-driven course, students produce critical, analytical, and creative written compositions of post-secondary integrity, engage in research, intercultural activities, and project-based learning assignments designed to enrich the understanding of cultural diversity, while also engaging in activities that promote positive human relations among all people in the community, school site, and as envisioned in post-secondary life. 

While this course is aligned with the 12^th grade Common Core framework, it is modeled and taught as a college-level humanities course that introduces and intersects topics that are often considered controversial and/or objectionable for some audiences, as evidenced by multiple R-rated films, mature readings, and classroom discussions.  As a result, collegiate maturity is expected from the student, and similar support is required from the parent. This course requires permission slips for viewing of multiple films. Parental objections to multiple film-viewings might be discussed in terms of the value of the long-term benefit of this course.