Location: Folsom
Day & Time: Thursday 1:10-2:20
Grade: 9th-12th
Mentor: Frizzle aka Angie Gardner
Email: inspiredbyamg@gmail.com
 
Welcome to What the Dickens, where we embark on a captivating journey through the life, times, and literary masterpieces of one of the most beloved authors in English literature, Charles Dickens! In this immersive class, students will delve into the rich tapestry of Victorian England, exploring the social, political, and cultural landscapes that inspired Dickens's timeless works. Through close reading, critical analysis, and historical inquiry, students will gain a deeper appreciation for Dickens's literary genius and his enduring legacy.
 
From the bustling streets of Victorian London to the plight of the urban poor, students will journey alongside Dickens as he exposes the injustices and inequalities of his time through powerful storytelling. Key topic include:
 
Dickens's Life and Times
Victorian Society and Reform Movements
Literary Analysis of Dickens's Works
Dickensian Themes and Motifs
Adaptations and Legacy

 
What the Dickens combines lectures, discussions, multimedia presentations, group activities, and creative projects to engage students in a multi-faceted exploration of Dickens's life and literature. Through role-playing exercises, character analyses, and historical research, students will deepen their understanding of Dickens's fictional world and its connections to Victorian reality.
 
Learning Objectives
By the end of What the Dickens, students will:
Gain a comprehensive understanding of Charles Dickens's life, works, and the historical context in which he lived and wrote.
Analyze the social, political, and cultural themes in Dickens's novels and their relevance to contemporary issues.
Develop critical thinking skills through close reading, textual analysis, and interpretation of Dickens's literary techniques and narrative strategies.
Explore connections between Dickens's works and the broader cultural and intellectual currents of the Victorian era.
Appreciate the enduring significance of Dickens's storytelling legacy and its impact on literature, social reform, and popular culture.
 
Join me on this literary odyssey as we unravel the mysteries, marvels, and memorable characters of Dickensian England, and discover why Charles Dickens remains one of the greatest storytellers in the English language!
 
“What is memorized is easily forgotten, what is understood is never forgotten.”  ~Dr. Adler

All classes are full-year classes. Students enrolled in a Fall Semester class will automatically enroll for the Spring Semester in December to ensure their place in the class. Pricing is per semester.