Literary Elements in The Office is an elective offered at Masco that covers different literary aspects of the TV show, The Office.
Created by English teacher Michael Kelsen, this class is a great opportunity to learn many different things while watching a favorite television show. Students will watch an episode and then discuss all the different literary elements, character development, and storytelling techniques used in the show. Students can understand these devices through group discussions and journals.
Unlike normal core classes, this elective takes a different approach to learning by requiring the students to engage with each other and learn together as a group.
Kelsen said, “We watch TV and movies all the time, and it’s not just aimless television. It’s an opportunity to question the thought process behind plot lines and characters, and it allows us to take the skills we’re teaching you and apply them to broader concepts.”
This approach allows students to not only enjoy the class but also learn in a way that feels more engaging and interactive, encouraging them to participate in discussions and explore the deeper meanings behind the show.
By taking a more discussion-based learning approach, students often find themselves having a lot of fun in this class because they can interact with their classmates, share different perspectives, and discuss various aspects of literature.
”I took The Office class because it’s interesting and I like watching the show,” sophomore Henry Hoover said. “It’s one of my favorite shows. It’s a fun class and we do a lot of group discussions.”
These group discussions are not only a good way to learn and have fun, but they also allow the students of the class to share their ideas and perspectives on a show they enjoy watching.
Watching an episode of The Office allows students to enjoy the show while thinking about important topics.
“We just get to relax and watch a show,” said sophomore Nick Wedge. “We pretty much just watch an episode and then discuss it.”
The amount of paper handouts is kept to a minimum, which is something that many students look for when signing up for an elective class. There is no homework in The Office class because there is enough class time to complete the work. Kelsen believes that since it’s an elective, it should be fun and engaging, but students still need to stay on top of their work and stay on track.
Kelsen said, “There’s enough class time to do things, but if you are not using class time appropriately and you fall behind, you may have to make some things up when you’re at home.”
Kelsen has created a class that incorporates engaging pop culture, an enjoyable atmosphere, and thoughtful discussion. This popular elective continues to be a way for students to see literature in new ways and laugh along the way.