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English
Senior High Curriculum
Freshman
Enrollment in a yearlong English course is required of freshmen. Placement is based on test scores and teacher recommendation. Some freshmen may be required to enroll in English Composition in addition to English 9.
English 9 (YR)
The goals of English 9 are to help the student grow in appreciation of literature, develop critical skills, express him/herself in an articulate manner both orally and in writing, and to effect a better command of the English language. Writing skills, with a review of the fundamentals of grammar, are stressed with emphasis on paragraph structure and the five-paragraph essay format. Short stories, plays, essays, and novels are read and studied. A vocabulary program is also part of the curriculum. Students should anticipate a required reading over the summer.
Two semesters, two credits, required.
English Composition (YR)
Enrollment is based on the Explore test results and/or teacher recommendation. This course seeks to improve reading and writing skills for students who have demonstrated difficulty in these areas. Emphasis is on individual improvement with students working at a level where they can be successful. The aim of this class is to help those students with particular needs in language skills become more confident, so that they will be better equipped to deal with the demands of English 9 and beyond. This course does not apply towards English credits for graduation. This course does not meet the core course requirements of the NCAA.
Two semesters, two credits, open to freshmen.
Honors English 9 (YR
This course is for students who possess superior language arts skills and have the desire to learn at an intense and accelerated pace. Students will examine the principal literary genres in a varied selection of short stories, novels, and plays. The focus of the class will be critical analysis of the literature through discussion and writing. A vocabulary program is also included in the curriculum. Students should anticipate required reading over the summer.
Prerequisite: Open to students who score in at least the 95th percentile in the English and Reading sections of the EXPLORE test.
Two semesters, two credits, open to freshmen.
Sophomore
Enrollment in a yearlong English 10 course is required. In addition, these elective options (listed under “Senior”) are available to sophomores: Creative Writing, Debate, Journalism I, Mythology, and Twentieth Century Drama.
English 10 (YR)
The English 10 reading program explores a variety of literary genres, the study of which will develop and advance those critical and interpretative reading skills that were introduced in English 9. The composition portion of this course reviews paragraph development and multi-paragraph essays, including an emphasis on research skills. Included in the first semester are a research unit and a speech unit in which students will gain experience in organizing and delivering formal and informal oral presentations. A vocabulary program is also part of the curriculum. Students should anticipate a required reading over the summer.
Two semesters, two credits, required.
Honors English 10 (YR)
This course is intended for students who demonstrate superior language arts skills and have the desire to learn at an accelerated pace. Students read approximately 10 classic and contemporary novels and plays from Greek, European, and American literature and selected works of poetry. The intensive writing program includes multi-paragraph essays of various forms. Also included in the course are a research project and a speech unit in which students gain experience in organizing and delivering formal and informal oral presentations. A vocabulary program is also part of the curriculum. Students should anticipate required reading over the summer.
Prerequisite: “B” or above in both semesters of Honors English 9 or “A” in both semesters of English 9 in addition to the English department placement test score.
Two semesters, two credits, open to sophomores.
Junior
Juniors are required to take two one-semester courses: either the American Literature or American Studies along with either Advanced Composition or AP Language and Composition. In addition, with the exception of AP English Literature and Composition and Non-Fiction Writing, juniors may choose to enroll in any English electives listed under “Senior.”
Advanced Composition (S1) (S2)
This course prepares students for college writing assignments. With an emphasis on both structure and style, this course focuses on fundamental writing skills. Students will gain familiarity with and feel confident using different forms of writing, including argumentation, critical analysis, narration, and description. Students will master the basics of grammar, mechanics, and usage; in addition, they will develop their own voices as writers and learn how to make the structure and form of their writing match its content.
One semester, one credit, open to juniors.
American Literature (S1) (S2)
This course consists of a survey of major American writers and the major themes that characterize their works. The course focuses on the development of American culture as seen through the novels, poetry, history, and art of these major authors.
One semester, one credit, open to juniors.
American Studies (S2)
This course fulfills the second semester American Literature English requirement. Students must enroll in first semester Advanced Composition. This course also fulfills semester two of the US History requirement. This course blends US historical events and themes in American literature to provide students with a comprehensive social, political, economic, and literary history. For the school year 2011-12, five eras have been selected to be “team-taught.” These time periods reflect specific epochs: Great Depression, World War II, Civil Rights, Cold War Conflict, and Challenges of Modern American Society. In these time periods students will explore themes such as The Individual, the American Dream, Violence, and Pluralism. We will study 20th century eras that will foster an understanding of how the principles, problems, and issues are basic to the establishment of our country. This understanding is essential for students to fully appreciate the complexities of history as it unfolds in modern times. Students enrolled in this course will meet two consecutive class periods.
One semester, two credits, open to juniors.
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AP Language and Composition (S2)
This accelerated writing course is taken in lieu of Advanced Composition and is designed for those students who possess advanced writing skills. It is designed to further challenge these students as writers and to prepare them for more complex writing situations. Students will be required to complete one major individual writing project along with a variety of compositions. This course fulfills the junior Advanced Composition requirement.
Prerequisite: “A” in both semesters of English 10 or a “B” or higher in both semesters of Honors English 10 in addition to passing the department placement test.
One semester, one credit, open to juniors.
Senior
Enrollment in two English electivews is required. One elective per semester.
AP English Literature and Composition (YR)
This is an intense, college-level course in the reading and critical analysis of literature with a heavy emphasis on formal expository composition. A range of literature representative of different genres and historical periods will be read, including approximately 10 novels, a dozen short stories, four to five plays, and a wide selection of poetry. This yearlong course is a preparation for the AP Literature exam that is given in mid-May. Thus, it is expected that students taking this course will also take the AP Literature exam. Students should anticipate required reading over the summer.
Prerequisite: “A” in both junior year English courses and/or “B” or higher in AP Language and Composition.
Two semesters, two credits, open to seniors.
Advanced Film (S2)
Advanced Film is for students who wish to continue their study of film beyond the Film Studies course. Students will analyze screenplays, write original screenplays, study narrative structure in film, and complete shot-by-shot analysis of film scenes. Students will make their own short documentaries as well as narrative and experimental films. This course combines further analysis of film with more opportunities for digital filmmaking.
Prerequisite: Film Studies.
One semester, one credit, open to juniors and seniors. This course does not meet the core course requirements of the NCAA.
British Literature (S1)
This is a survey course of British literature including major works from England, Scotland, and Ireland, dating from medieval times to the present. Authors whose writing will be studied include Chaucer, Shakespeare, Swift, Milton, Wilde, and Shaw.
One semester, one credit, open to juniors and seniors.
Creative Writing (S1) (S2)
This course is for those students who love to write and who want to develop their craft. The class will expose students to a variety of forms of the written word in order to cultivate creativity and enhance students’ forms of expression. Stories, plays, scripts, and poetry, will be used as both examples and tools in this class, which offers students the opportunity to broaden their creative horizons, develop their own voices, and refine their individual techniques.
One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
Debate (S1) (S2)
Students in this course will learn effective argumentation and the principles of debate. They will study valid persuasion techniques as a defense against irrational argument and use these techniques to influence others. Students will be involved in researching topics, learning debate techniques and terms, and improving speaking skills. Three types of debate will be covered in the class: Lincoln-Douglas, Classic, and Parliamentary. No previous experience in debate is necessary, and students may enroll in the course without being on the school's debate team. Students who have experience in at least one season on a debate team may not enroll in this course.
One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Film Studies (S1) (S2)
This course is for students who are genuinely interested in film as a contemporary means of communication and art. The course will cover a history of film along with various genres from classic to contemporary. Students will be expected to write frequently, putting into practice critical thinking skills as they respond to various films. Students will also have the opportunity to make their own short films on computers. In short, because of the high level of writing and discussing, the course will be much more than just watching movies.
One semester, one credit, open to juniors and seniors. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, this course no longer meets NCAA core course requirements.
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Great American Novels (S2)
This discussion-based course is for students who want to have a grasp of American classics as they prepare for college. It picks up where American Literature leaves off, focusing on great novels from the first half of the Twentieth Century. Students will explore how American novels reflect the diversity of the American experience.
One semester, one credit, open to juniors and seniors.
Journalism I-Knight Errant (YR)
This course has two purposes: to make students aware of the power and influence of the mass media; and, to produce the school newspaper, the Knight Errant. Students will study, discuss, and critique various forms of the mass media as well as study and discuss current issues from the world of journalism. In addition, students will learn the different forms of journalistic writing and how to write for a large audience.
Prerequisite: Application form (includes personal data, essay, writing sample, and teacher recommendations). Course will be limited to 20 students. Selection process will be based on quality of applications as determined by members of the English department.
Two semesters, two credits, open to juniors and seniors. *Sophomores may enroll, with instructor approval.
Journalism II-Knight Errant (YR)
This course is a continuation of Journalism I and is open only to students who have been assigned leadership positions on the Knight Errant staff. Students will use advanced page-design software such as Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator. Students will be responsible for the design and production of the Knight Errant. Students will also be required to submit stories for publication on a regular basis. Students must also enroll in one additional English elective each semester.
Prerequisite: Journalism I and instructor approval.
Two semesters, two credits, open to juniors and seniors. This course does not meet the core course requirements of the NCAA.
Mythology (S2)
This course covers a wide range of myths from various countries and time periods. From these, students will examine the universal archetypes underlying many of the world’s cultures and, as a result, will seek to broaden their understanding of their own culture. The primary texts will be Edith Hamilton’s Mythology and Joseph Campbell’s The Power of Myth, but the course will pursue many other avenues of research.
One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
Non-Fiction Writing (S1)
This course focuses on non-fiction essay writing and is geared toward students who have completed either Advanced Composition or AP Language and Composition. With an emphasis on the writing process, this class is taught as a writing workshop with students actively working in small and large groups on their essays.
One semester, one credit course, open to seniors.
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Science Fiction Literature (S1)
This course is for students who want to examine the genre of science fiction as important and deserving of intelligent consideration and commentary. Using short stories, this course examines the development of science fiction from the 1960s to the modern day. Novels will be read in order to examine what this genre, which is filled with what seem to be non-realities and impossibilities, has to offer to our present day world and issues.
One semester, one credit, open to juniors and seniors.
Twentieth Century Drama (S1)
This course introduces students to some of the most noted playwrights and to the major dramatic movements of the 20th century. We will look at a variety of plays as reflections of and reactions to their social and historical context and try to understand what they tell us about our world and ourselves. As well as studying a broad selection of plays, students will explore drama as a performing art by examining one or more facets of the dramatic process – for example, participating in the staging of short scenes, creating an original short play, or writing director’s notes for a new interpretation of one of the works studied.
One semester, one credit, open to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
The Writer and Her Work (S1)
In this course, students explore the works of a variety of women writers from various literary periods and diverse cultural backgrounds. Designed as a seminar, this course involves intense reading, research, presentations, and a great deal of class discussion. Students will read several novels, as well as short stories and poetry.
One semester, one credit, open to juniors and seniors.
Jr. High Curriculum
English
In English students study grammar, usage, mechanics, speaking, writing, and spelling. Areas of emphasis are determined by student strengths and needs. Students are encouraged to improve their understanding and communication by relating the different areas of language study. Students also apply their writing skills across the curriculum.
Year-long course required of 7th and 8th graders.
Literature
In literature a student develops his/her vocabulary, comprehension skills, and ability to interpret and evaluate written material. Students are introduced to both classical and modern literature of every genre. The seventh grade course emphasizes American literature, the eighth grade course, mythology and legends. Students are encouraged to read independently.
Year-long course required of 7th and 8th graders.
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