World literature

World
Literature
Opening the global window
David Nurenberg
Concord-Carlisle High School
2007


WHAT IS A PORTFOLIO?


WHAT IS A PORTFOLIO?

A portfolio is a collection of lesson plans, assignments, readings,
sample student work, etc. that constitute a teacher's practice in a
certain course, unit, or department. It is a living document,
continually referred to and modified throughout a teacher's career.


WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A PORTFOLIO ?


WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A PORTFOLIO ?
-Helps a teacher stay organized and reflective


WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A PORTFOLIO ?
-Helps a teacher stay organized and reflective
-Can be shared with colleagues who are looking for ideas, can create
consistency across a course taught by different teachers

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A PORTFOLIO ?
-Helps a teacher stay organized and reflective
-Can be shared with colleagues who are looking for ideas, can create
consistency across a course taught by different teachers
-Provides evidence for certification, professional development, state
standards, etc


Sample
Portfolio:
World Literature
at
Concord
Carlisle High


Concord Carlisle High
School


Concord Carlisle High
School

- “Successful” school: > 90% college attendance, top echelon
of MCAS (state testing scores), robust course offerings


Concord Carlisle High
School

- “Successful” school: > 90% college attendance, top echelon
of MCAS (state testing scores), robust course offerings

BUT…little to no Non-Western curricular focus!


Creation of World Literature – exploring “other cultures”
through stories.


Literature is a window into the human experience, and by
reading the literature of other world cultures, we can not only
understand their experiences and worldviews better, but
perhaps understand ourselves better as well.


FIVE YEAR PROCESS


FIVE YEAR PROCESS
TAUGHT SINCE 2005


FEATURES OF WORLD LITERATURE


FEATURES OF WORLD LITERATURE
•Semester-long 11th/12th grade elective

FEATURES OF WORLD LITERATURE
•Semester-long 11th/12th grade elective
•Heterogeneous class (non-tracked)


FEATURES OF WORLD LITERATURE
•Semester-long 11th/12th grade elective
•Heterogeneous class (non-tracked)
• Course divided into five “units”:


FEATURES OF WORLD LITERATURE
•Semester-long 11th/12th grade elective
•Heterogeneous class (non-tracked)
• Course divided into five “units”:

Africa


FEATURES OF WORLD LITERATURE
•Semester-long 11th/12th grade elective
•Heterogeneous class (non-tracked)
• Course divided into five “units”:
Middle East/West Asia
Africa


FEATURES OF WORLD LITERATURE
•Semester-long 11th/12th grade elective

•Heterogeneous class (non-tracked)
• Course divided into five “units”:
Middle East/West Asia
Africa
China


FEATURES OF WORLD LITERATURE
•Semester-long 11th/12th grade elective
•Heterogeneous class (non-tracked)
• Course divided into five “units”:
Middle East/West Asia
Africa
China


COURSE GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES
 Students will gain familiarity with major authors, texts, themes and
literary traditions, both modern and classical, and relevant historical
background of several non-Western cultures.


COURSE GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES
 Students will gain familiarity with major authors, texts, themes and
literary traditions, both modern and classical, and relevant historical
background of several non-Western cultures.
 Students will be able to draw stylistic and thematic parallels, and
note differences, between literary works of the West (both canonical and

non-canonical) and literary works of various nonwestern cultures.