In close collaboration with the history portion of the Humanities curriculum, this course will trace the development of contemporary thought as reflected in literature. Although the course will focus primarily on the great books of the Western tradition, works from other cultures will also be examined. Discussion and writing assignments will be guided by perennial questions regarding the nature of human existence: What is beauty? What is justice? What constitutes the happy life? Students will explore the various answers authors give to these questions and will examine the validity of their conclusions in light of revealed truth. Students will respond to literature with written analysis, focusing on logical, coherent, elegant presentation of sound ideas.

AP English Literature and Composition trains students in the careful reading and critical analysis of literary texts. Through close reading of a wide variety of texts, students should deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide meaning and pleasure for their readers. Analytical and creative writing assignments will seek to increase students' ability to explain clearly, cogently, and stylistically what they understand about literary works and why they interpret them as they do. Class format will be primarily seminar-style discussion in which all students will be expected to participate actively. Students are required to take the AP exam near the end of the second semester.