Stephen Rustin

Stephen Rustin

Department	English Language and Literature
House	Liberal Arts
Contact	srustin@tsas.org
Joined	2022/08/01
Education	Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, Evangel University Master of Arts in Biblical Exegesis, Wheaton College
Why I teach	Teaching is my calling. I am deeply gratified when I see a person learn something new. I especially take joy in seeing young people gain confidence in their communication skills. Reading and writing have been invaluable in my own life, and I want to help students to see them in the same way.
About me	I’m a Colorado native who married his college sweetheart, with whom I have two kids and two cats. We have a third child on the way, due at the end of November. I’m a former football player who has recently discovered a second athletic career in kettlebell sport; I’m looking forward to participating in my first competition this October. I’m a drummer, I’m a Cormac McCarthy fan, and I love watching science fiction movies.

• Currently Offered
• Previously Offered

Ancient History and Mythology

In Ancient History and Mythology, students will be exposed to the classical world and its myths. They will gain an appreciation for past humanity by studying various ancient cultures from across the globe. The course will introduce students to the most famous myths, legends, and folktales of antiquity. The students will also explore the culture and language of these societies, and they will begin to understand the relationship between ancient and modern myths and why myths continue to speak to us today.

AP English Language and Composition

AP Lang is a three-session course that focuses on language as a persuasive tool and is designed to develop students’ ability to utilize and analyze rhetorical appeals, techniques, and devices in various media. While students will primarily read non-fiction texts, we will also include some fiction. An AP exam is offered at the end of the year, but is not required to participate in the course.

Liberal Arts

Critical Writing

Critical Writing is a two-session 11th grade English course designed to help students understand practical approaches to critical analysis, research, and the application of those skills to reading and writing. Students will be engaging with various texts, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and plays.

Introduction to Religious Studies

In Introduction to Religious Studies, students will be exposed to an array of sacred texts from the five major world religions and will read selections from several novels and short stories with religious themes and allusions. Students will gain an appreciation for the influence of religion on cultures, will begin to learn the basics of the field of religious studies, and will practice researching religions. Each student will write a research paper on a religious topic/theme and will give a presentation on a selected text from the course.

Post-apocalyptic Lit

This course will focus on themes common to the genre, reflect on how people (real and fictional) respond to crises, and investigate how these stories can uniquely critique the present. We will read and analyze novels, short stories, and other forms of post-apocalyptic media. Students will practice writing their own stories in this genre and will demonstrate their learning through other projects.

Courses offered previously

Sacred Texts & Their Literary Influence

Sacred Texts & Their Literary Influence will focus on various forms of religious literature and their impact on various societies. We will read and analyze selections from the Bible, Quran, Bhagavad Gita, Talmud, and Dhammapada. We will then read and analyze several modern novels with strong religious themes, looking for connections between them and the sacred texts. Students will write a research paper on a chosen religious tradition, will write their own short stories with religious themes, and will demonstrate their learning through other projects.

Capstones

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