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Committee adopts draft electives: 'Genre Literature' and 'Mythology' added to course list
Summary
The committee reviewed and approved draft elective standards for genre literature and mythology; members refined wording to keep the scope broad and to support modern as well as classical myth studies.
The standards committee added elective course drafts to the ELA catalogue, approving drafting language for “Genre Literature” and “Mythology.” The two electives were presented as modular courses that districts could adopt to provide deeper study in specific literary areas.
Genre Literature: The course description asks students to study a single genre at depth — options listed in the guidance include ancient/classical literature, contemporary fiction, regional studies, and author studies. The committee agreed on standards that require students to explore genre conventions, to read widely in the chosen genre, to analyze thematic and stylistic elements, and to produce presentations and written analysis comparing works in the chosen genre.
Mythology: Committee members approved standards that ask students to study mythic systems in depth, to analyze relationships among deities/figures and ordinary people, and to explore how geography and culture shape mythic narratives. The group agreed to broaden wording so that the elective can include modern or “fan‑universe” mythologies (for example, contemporary adaptations or franchise universes) as well as classical myths. Draft standards require students to create original mythic texts that reflect cultural context and to analyze recurring archetypes and motifs across mythological texts.
Why it matters: Electives give districts flexibility to build course offerings aligned to local interest and to offer more advanced readership and literary analysis opportunities for high‑school students.
Next steps: Staff will enter the committee’s edits into the draft electives and circulate the revised text. The department noted that district adoption, curricular materials, and teacher professional development will be the responsibility of local districts once the electives are published.
