Read the Classics courses are the literature courses you never took (or paid attention to) in high school. Have you been meaning to read the classics, but adult life set that goal on the sidelines? Now’s your chance!
Each course is designed with the adult learner in mind.* Engaging introductory lectures, thoughtful questions, and lively discussion make for an enjoyable and enlightening reading experience.
Join Kendra and read the books you’ve always meant to read!
*Courses are designed for ages 18 and up. I offer high school literature courses here. Both men and women are welcome.
WHEN WOMEN WRITE: TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD
What is the big deal with this book? Why do so many people love this story?
And what was it like to be a female author in a time when women's rights were beginning to cause a ripple effect on the American landscape? What are the themes Ms. Lee wove through her story of the deep South, two motherless children and their intellectual father, and one very important court case? How does a book like To Kill a Mockingbird remain popular over 50 years after its publication?
In this 4-week course, we'll read To Kill a Mockingbird together, exploring themes of feminism, society's expectations, family ties, bigotry, and love. I'll introduce you to author Harper Lee, who once said she'd like "to be ... the Jane Austen of South Alabama", bring historical context to life, and help you develop a passion about the story (which means you might end up hating it just as much as you might end up loving it!)
THE DETAILS
Classes are live and online. You can take them from anywhere in the world! We meet on the Zoom platform, which is easy to download and operate. Once you register, I’ll send instructions on how to get started with Zoom.
Class sizes are limited to 10 participants. The smaller size assures really solid discussion and a chance to get to know each other.
We will stick to a reading schedule that guarantees book completion in the 4-week course time. It's a lot of reading (roughly 7 chapters per week), but listening to an audio version is perfectly acceptable if that is better for you. However, you will want to be able to take notes.
I will be giving a pre-reading lecture during the first session complete with pictures and an ample study on the background of the author, her work, and what that means to the books she wrote. You will feel prepared to understand why To Kill a Mockingbird is such an important addition to the American literary canon.
Class participation and discussion will be the best way for us to learn together. Come prepared to talk about the story, the chapters we're covering, and give us your thoughts and opinions about Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Socratic discussion is the center of our time together.
Character and reading guides will be provided for download, helping you to understand the text as you read and illuminating main themes and ideas so that you never feel lost or behind.
Essay topics for an optional essay will be assigned during the 3rd week so that you can begin forming an opinion and a thesis. Don’t let this scare you away! Even if you just spend time thinking through the prompts, you’ll be richer for it.
There will be other interesting activities available, such as creative projects like creating blackout poetry. We will also discuss annotation.
CONTACT ME FOR 2024 DATES
$49
Jump in and register! Payments can be made below the registration form through the Paypal button.
Once you’ve registered and paid, I will send more details about the Zoom platform, which book editions I recommend, and any other important details.
WHEN WOMEN WRITE: JANE EYRE
Arguably author Charlotte Brontë's most beloved novel, Jane Eyre is a classic that stands the test of time.
But what was it like to be a female author in a time when women were not valued outside of domesticity? What are the themes Ms. Brontë wove through her story of a young orphaned girl-turned-governess and her unlikeable employer? How does a book like Jane Eyre remain popular over 170 years after its publication?
In this 5-week course, we'll read Jane Eyre together, exploring themes of feminism, loss, loneliness, and love. I'll introduce you to author Charlotte Brontë, bring historical context to life, and help you develop a passion about the story (which means you might end up hating it just as much as you might end up loving it!)
THE DETAILS
Classes are live and online. You can take them from anywhere in the world! We meet on the Zoom platform, which is easy to download and operate. Once you register, I’ll send instructions on how to get started with Zoom.
Class sizes are limited to 10 participants. The smaller size assures really solid discussion and a chance to get to know each other.
We will stick to a reading schedule that guarantees book completion in the 5-week course time. It's a lot of reading (roughly 10 chapters per week), but listening to an audio version is perfectly acceptable if that is better for you. However, you will want to be able to take notes.
I will be giving a pre-reading lecture during the first session complete with pictures and an ample study on the background of the author, her work, and what that means to the books she wrote. You will feel prepared to understand why Jane Eyre is such an important addition to the English literary canon.
Class participation and discussion will be the best way for us to learn together. Come prepared to talk about the story, the chapters we're covering, unfamiliar 19th-Century vocabulary, and give us your thoughts and opinions about Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre. Socratic discussion is the center of our time together.
Character and reading guides will be provided for download, helping you to understand the text as you read and illuminating main themes and ideas so that you never feel lost or behind.
Essay topics for an optional essay will be assigned during the 3rd week so that you can begin forming an opinion and a thesis.
We will also do some dramatic readings together. Props and costumes optional. ;)
CONTACT ME FOR 2024 DATES
$49
Jump in and register! Payments can be made below the registration form through the Paypal button.
Once you’ve registered and paid, I will send more details about the Zoom platform, which book editions I recommend, and any other important details.
WHEN WOMEN WRITE: FRANKENSTEIN
Many readers are surprised to learn that the classic horror tale of an experiment gone terribly wrong was written by a woman.
What was it like to be a female author in a time when women were not valued outside of domesticity? What are the themes Ms. Shelley wove through her story of a young doctor and the monster he created? How does a book like Frankenstein remain popular over 200 years after its publication?
In this 5-week course, we'll read Frankenstein together, exploring themes of creation, ethics, loss, loneliness, and love. I'll introduce you to author Mary Shelley, bring historical context to life, and help you develop a passion about the story (which means you might end up hating it just as much as you might end up loving it!)
THE DETAILS
Classes are live and online. You can take them from anywhere in the world! We meet on the Zoom platform, which is easy to download and operate. Once you register, I’ll send instructions on how to get started with Zoom.
Class sizes are limited to 10 participants. The smaller size assures really solid discussion and a chance to get to know each other.
We will stick to a reading schedule that guarantees book completion in the 5-week course time. It's a lot of reading (roughly 5 chapters per week), but listening to an audio version is perfectly acceptable if that is better for you. However, you will want to be able to take notes.
I will be giving a pre-reading lecture during the first session complete with pictures and an ample study on the background of the author, her work, and what that means to the books she wrote. You will feel prepared to understand why Frankenstein is such an important addition to the English literary canon.
Class participation and discussion will be the best way for us to learn together. Come prepared to talk about the story, the chapters we're covering, unfamiliar 19th-Century vocabulary, and give us your thoughts and opinions about Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Socratic discussion is the center of our time together.
Optional essay topics will be assigned during the 3rd week so that you can begin forming an opinion and a thesis.
For extra reading enhancement, we'll make a flip book featuring story themes, characters, and chapter storylines and a colorful poster all about Mary Shelley. It might make you feel like a student again!
We will also do some dramatic readings together. Props and costumes optional. ;)
CONTACT ME FOR 2024 DATES
$49
Jump in and register! Payments can be made below the registration form through the Paypal button.
Once you’ve registered and paid, I will send more details about the Zoom platform, which book editions I recommend, and any other important details.