In Grade 9, students engage in an immersive study of Giovanni Boccaccio's masterpiece, The Decameron. Throughout the course, students acquire a multifaceted skill set encompassing critical analysis, historical interpretation, and creative expression. Their study of The Decameron prompts students to delve into the complexities of the Black Death's impact on society.

To bolster their understanding and broaden their perspectives, students engage in supplemental reading, such as Martin Marafioti's essay "Post-Decameron Plague Treatises and the Boccaccian Innovation of Narrative Prophylaxis" (2005). Marafioti's essay explores the connection between Italian physicians and Boccaccio's literary work, enhancing students' grasp of the historical and medical context surrounding The Decameron.

Assignments in the course are carefully crafted to hone specific skills. Creative writing tasks, inspired by characters from The Decameron, encourage students to express themselves imaginatively, while essay questions require them to articulate sophisticated arguments. By completing these assignments, students not only deepen their appreciation of literary techniques like foreshadowing, symbolism, and irony but also develop the ability to critically analyze historical events and their impact on literature.