English





English Courses
**{100} ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH (12AP) This course is similar to a college freshman English course which has been designed for the outstanding high school senior. Its short-term goal is to prepare students to take the advanced placement exam in English. Its ultimate goal is to contribute to the aim of making students mature writers and analytical thinkers who are able to read comprehensively and write competently in all college courses. The primary emphasis of the course will be the reading and writing of several kinds of mature prose. The course will emphasize expository, analytical, and argumentative essays. An integral part of this course will be the writing of several college-style critical research papers. This course involves extensive independent work over the summer. RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITE: Honors English 11 (1 Credit)
	**{101} HONORS ENGLISH 12 This course is a comprehensive honors level course in British literature. Students in this course should be capable of in-depth critical analysis of a wide selection of poetry, drama, short stories, and non-fiction. Emphasis on significant British authors and their works will give the student an accurate perspective and thorough familiarity with literary history. The major historical, cultural, and philosophical components of each literary period will be examined to further enhance each student’s understanding of the literature. Since this program is part of a foundation for future college study, students are expected to not only take an active part in detailed class discussion and analysis, but also exhibit the ability to independently analyze assigned pieces, recognizing theme, symbolism and imagery, historical significance, etc. Students will be required to write critical essays on the literature covered, using The Lively Art of Writing format. An integral part of this course will be the writing of a college-style, MLA-based critical research paper which will be assessed as the final exam grade. Major required works are Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, Macbeth, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and A Tale of Two Cities. RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES: Students should have successfully completed grade eleven English. (1 Credit)
{102} ENGLISH 12 This course is a comprehensive college/career preparatory level course in British literature organized around central themes. The major historical, cultural, and philosophical components during the different time periods will be emphasized to help increase each student’s understanding of the literature. This course involves a study of a wide selection of poetry, drama, short stories, and the novel. Emphasis on significant British authors and their works will give the student an accurate perspective and thorough familiarity with literary history. Since this program is part of a foundation for future college study, a great deal of effort will be expended on discussion and analysis of literature read outside of class. Students will be required to write critical essays on the literature covered, using The Lively Art of Writing format. An integral part of this course will be the writing of a college-style, MLA-based critical research paper which will be assessed as the final exam grade. Major required works are Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, Macbeth, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and A Tale of Two Cities. RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES: Students should have successfully completed grade eleven English. (1 Credit)
	**{108} HONORS ENGLISH 11 This course is a comprehensive honors level course in American literature which traces various genres through different periods in American history. The major historical, cultural, and philosophical components during the different time periods will be emphasized to help increase each student’s understanding of the literature. The genres are non-fiction, poetry, short story, drama, and the novel. The required novels are The Scarlet Letter ,The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and The Great Gatsby. The study of drama will be based on an analysis of The Crucible. Writing skills emphasized in grade ten will continue to be honed; as a result, students will write a number of literary-based essays based on The Lively Art of Writing and the MLA research paper format. Since this program is part of a foundation for future college study, a great deal of effort will be expended on discussion and analysis of literature read outside of class. RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES: Students should have successfully completed English 10 and must be willing to spend the time and effort that an intense program requires. (1 Credit)
{109} ENGLISH 11 This is a comprehensive college/career level course in American literature. Since this program is part of a foundation for future college study, students will expend a great deal of effort on discussing and analyzing literature read outside of class, as well as on honing their writing skills. Several literary essays following The Lively Art of Writing and the MLA research paper format instruction will help prepare student for their senior year and beyond. Emphasis on significant American authors and their works, including poems, short stories, novels and non-fiction will give the student an accurate perspective and thorough familiarity with his own literary history. The required novels are The Scarlet Letter, Dances With Wolves and The Great Gatsby. The study of drama will be based on an analysis of The Crucible. RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES: Students should have successfully completed English 10. (1 Credit)
	**{115} HONORS ENGLISH 10 This honors level course will help students to improve their essay writing style with an emphasis on correct structure and proper grammar usage. Students will first learn about proper essay structure, as well as metaphor, simile, allusion, tone, and individual style. Students will apply their writing skills through literary analysis and the creation of an I-search paper. The literature component of this class will center on coming-of-age genre, highlighting The Catcher in the Rye and Lord of the Flies, as well as Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Previously learned process writing skills will be enhanced, and literary essays will be explored. The study of literature will enhance the material studied in the ninth grade, as well as provide material for essays. RECOMMENDED PREQUISITES: Students should have successfully completed grade nine English. Students must be willing to spend the time and effort that an intense program requires. (1 Credit)
{116} ENGLISH 10 This college/career preparatory level course will help students to improve their writing style with an emphasis on correct structure and proper grammar usage. Most writing, which is the core of this course, will be done in the essay form. Before beginning to write the essay, students will review paragraph development. Students will then learn about essay structure and gradually investigate more subtle aspects of this form of writing such as metaphor, simile, allusion, tone, and individual style. The literature component of this class will center on coming-of-age genre, highlighting The Catcher in the Rye and Lord of the Flies, as well as Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES: Students should have successfully completed grade nine English. (1 Credit)
	**{122} HONORS ENGLISH 9 This honors level course will provide an introduction to each of the five literary types: the short story, poetry, the novel, drama, and non-fiction. Novel instruction will include an analysis of To Be a Slave by Julius Lester and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Drama will include an analysis of Romeo and Juliet. The grammar portion of the course will briefly review the principles taught in grades 7 and 8 and introduce new topics in a logical progression. Persuasive essay writing based on chapters 1-4 of The Lively Art of Writing will be the primary focus of writing instruction, and MLA research skills will be utilized as well. Writing assignments based on the reading selections and students’life experiences will enhance the students’ previously learned process writing skills. RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES: Students should have successfully completed a grade eight English program. Students must be willing to spend the time and effort that an intense program requires. (1 Credit)
{123} ENGLISH 9 This college/career preparatory course will provide an introduction to each of the five literary types: the short story, poetry, the novel, drama, and non-fiction. Novel instruction will include an analysis of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and drama instruction will include an analysis of Romeo and Juliet. The grammar portion of the course will review the principles taught in grades 7 and 8 and introduce new topics in a logical progression. Persuasive essay writing based on chapters 1-4 of The Lively Art of Writing will be the primary focus of writing instruction. MLA research skills will be developed as well. Writing assignments based on the reading selections and students’ life experiences will enhance the students’ previously learned process writing skills. RECOMMENDED PREREQUISITES: Students should have successfully completed a grade eight program. (1 Credit)
	{151} FROM BOOKS TO FILMS (11/12) This course will cover famous, and not so famous, literary and visual texts from a variety of time periods and genres. Critical analyses of both types of texts will also be incorporated. Students also have the opportunity to adapt a class-chosen text for film production. Some writing may be required, but class participation will be paramount in the assessment of students. This course will require a significant reading commitment. (1/2 credit)
{152} SAT VERBAL PREP (9-11) This course is offered to students who seek a competitive edge on the verbal portion of the SAT test. The program encourages students to develop an appreciation and understanding of words and their origins and to apply this 16 enhanced knowledge of vocabulary to their everyday speech and writing. In addition, the course fosters analytical and critical reading skills and requires students to articulate those analyses in both oral and written form. Students will also study elements of effective essay-writing to prepare for the written portion of the new SAT. PREREQUISITES: This elective course requires serious commitment from the students. Activities in the program will require careful planning and organization. It is essential that those students who select this program be willing to complete all assignments punctually and with care. (1/2 credit)
	{154} A Literary Approach to Theatre Arts (11/12) This course will offer students the opportunity to acquire acting, speaking, and analytical skills necessary for the appreciation and enjoyment of theater. Whether students are intent upon earning a living as actors, technicians in legitimate theater, television, or the movies, or whether they only want to spend their free time as dilettantes in local theater groups, or are just interested in something different, this course will provide a worthwhile and satisfying activity that will remain with them throughout their lives. Students may also get the opportunity to write, direct, and produce their own dramatic presentations. The course will expose students to the technical aspects of play production such as lighting, music, sound, and visual effects, as well as set and costume designing. Activities will involve students, either individually or in groups, in pantomimes, improvisations, dramatic scenes, extemporaneous talks, discussions, skits, and one-act plays. PREREQUISITES: This elective course requires serious commitment from the student. Plays and other dramatic activities require careful scheduling and a great deal of planning and organization. It is essential that participants in the program complete assignments punctually and with care. (1/2 credit)
{155} CREATIVE WRITING (10-12) This one-semester course will encourage students to hone their skills as writers. The class will examine exemplary works of various forms such as poetry, short fiction, and creative non-fiction. Students will be encouraged to try each of these forms using skills developed in class. A significant focus will be placed on literary conventions and style choices. Major assessments will include quizzes, classroom discussion, journaling, revisions, and a final portfolio project. Students who take this course should have a serious interest in growing as writers and should be willing to share their work with peers in a constructively critical setting. (1/2 Credit)
	{156} CONTEMPORARY NOVELS (10-12) This course is aimed at college/career preparatory students who like to read and want to enhance the scope of their reading. The novels read in this course will be works written in the last twenty-five years. Some may be modern "classics," but others may be simply commercial successes. Contemporary criticism of these works will also be discussed. Be advised that some novels’ content and themes may be of an adult nature. This course will emphasize reading for enjoyment and at the same time reading to improve comprehension, vocabulary, and analytical skills. Some writing will be required in order to assess those skills, but the primary focus will be on preparedness for class and willingness to contribute to class discussion on the works assigned. (1/2 credit)