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English
The goals of the English Department are:
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that each student master the
essentials of written and oral communication; |
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that each student analyze with confidence the
techniques, themes and ambiguities of the world’s literature; |
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that each student respect and contribute to the
exchange of opinion in the classroom; |
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that each student nurture an appetite for lifelong
learning. |
English 9 and 10, which are full-year courses, emphasize
composition and literature as well as an intensive study of grammar
and vocabulary. All students in the eleventh and twelfth grades
must choose a minimum of two semester literature courses from the
electives offered. Eligible juniors and seniors may elect to take
Advanced Placement English, a full-year course. Students must take
an English course every semester.
Suggested Reading from
the Classes of 2001-2004.
English Nine [202]
(full year; 1 credit; 6 sessions per cycle)
Freshman English reviews basic tools including literary terms, vocabulary
strategies, and rules of discourse. Students improve their ability
to analyze literature and hone their writing skills. Quizzes and
tests are de-emphasized in favor of more open-ended assignments
such as creative writing, debate, and drama. Writing assignments
include literary analyses, persuasion, poetry, and drama. Writing
is seen as a recursive process and students are encouraged to revise
their work several times before completion.
English Ten [203]
(full year; 1 credit; 5 sessions per cycle)
This course strengthens students’ skills in grammar, vocabulary,
and literary analysis. The readings include American lyric poetry,
short fiction, and selections from such authors as Fugard, Ovid,
Dickens, Shakespeare, and assorted American authors. Writing assignments
emphasize critical analysis (from essay proposals to drafts to revisions),
with some opportunity for creative writing as well.
ELEVENTH AND TWELFTH GRADE ELECTIVES
American Literature
(first [205] and/or second
[210] semester;
.5 credit per semester; 5 sessions per cycle)
This course is designed to familiarize students with major American
essayists, novelists, playwrights and poets spanning essential periods
of American literature. Each semester stands alone by providing
a survey of representative texts from the 1700’s to today.
The first semester’s offerings will include works by Hawthorne,
Poe, Twain, Chopin, and Fitzgerald. The second semester’s readings
will include selections by Emerson, Thoreau, Hurston, Faulkner,
Miller and Erdrich. Students will expand their ability to read and
write critically, increase their knowledge of literary analysis
and criticism, and enhance their grammar skills and working vocabulary.
(first [239]
and/or second [241]
semester;
.5 credit per semester; 5 sessions per cycle)
This course is designed to expose students to a
broad range of the world’s literature, which is organized thematically.
The first semester’s readings are organized around units entitled
“Women vs. Family & Society,” “African Landscapes,”
and “Insider’s Views.” The readings include Antigone,
The Awakening, Fasting, Feasting, Stand Before Your God, Angela’s
Ashes, and selections by Dinesen, Gordimer, Hemingway, Mathabane,
Colette, Castellanos and Bronte. The second semester’s units
are entitled “The Individual and Society in Times of War”
and “Clash of Cultures.” These units feature The Trojan
Women, Waiting for the Barbarians, Beowulf, Typical American, F.O.B.,
and selections by Chandar, Tayama, Camus, Neruda, Forster, and
Sappho. Students will expand their ability to read and write critically,
increase their knowledge of literary analysis and criticism, and enhance
their grammar skills and working vocabulary.
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Shakespeare 1 [206]
(first semester; .5 credit; 5 sessions per
cycle)
Students will immerse themselves in the study of four or five Shakespeare
plays. The fall semester will include the comedies As You Like
It, Twelfth Night, and Much Ado About Nothing as well
as the history play Henry IV. The students analyze the genres,
imagery, and themes of the plays and also perform scenes informally
in class.
Shakespeare 2 [207]
(second semester; .5 credit; 5 sessions per
cycle)
Students will immerse themselves in the study of four or five Shakespeare
plays. The spring semester will include the early tragedy Titus
Andronicus; the history play Henry V; and two of the
late romances, The Winter’s Tale and The Tempest.
The students analyze the genres, imagery, and themes of the plays
and also perform scenes informally in class.
Portfolio Writing [224]
(second semester; .5 credit; 5 sessions per
cycle)
Intended for serious writers, this course emphasizes advanced techniques
in argumentation and creative writing. Students completing this
course will submit their portfolio to the Scholastic Writing Competition.
(second semester; .5 credit; 5 sessions per
cycle)
This course is designed to develop the students’ ability to write
formal expository essays through careful analysis of both topical
and literary selections. Students will practice all of the traditional
expository modes of development: process, cause and effect, definition,
compare and contrast, definition and persuasion.
Playwriting and Production [251]
(first semester; .5 credit; 5 sessions per
cycle)
This course introduces the student to a variety of playwriting formats.
Using improvisation from the curriculum developed by Young Playwrights,
Inc., of New York City, students will produce their own monologues,
one-minute, five-minute and one-act plays. An adaptation of an existing
story will also stretch the young playwrights’ abilities. Plays
written by these students will be performed by a variety of actors
and actresses across grade levels and entered into playwriting contests
across the country.
This course satisfies .5 credit toward
the graduation requirement in English or Fine Arts.
Debate: Persuasion and Argumentation [209]
(first semester; .5 credit; 5 sessions per
cycle)
Students learn the art of rhetoric and basic researching skills
through class-room debates on national and international topics
of interest. In addition, students are required to write two rhetorical
criticisms of local and national speakers per quarter.
Advanced Placement English [211]
(full year; 1 credit; 6 sessions per cycle)
This class hones the student’s ability to analyze literature
in preparation for college-level work. The readings include two
modernist novels, Joyce’s Portrait of the Artist and
Woolf’s To the Lighthouse; a Shakespeare play; selected
short fiction; and an intensive unit on lyric poetry.
Prerequisites: A grade of B+ or higher in
previous English courses, including a B+ or higher average on analytical
essays, and departmental approval.
Desktop Publishing
(first [255]
and/or second [256] semester;
.5 credit per semester; 6 sessions per cycle)
This course offers students the opportunity to become actively involved
in their learning as they produce several school publications. Students
learn various desktop publishing skills including beginning and
advanced Adobe PageMaker to produce projects in various formats
ranging from the three-page foldout to newspaper to the yearbook.
In addition, they will learn journalistic skills such as how to
develop a theme, research, interview, write engagingly and design
layouts to enhance the content of the publications. Students will
serve as the core of the yearbook staff, as well as editors of a
student literary magazine and other publications.
Open to students in grades 9-12. This course
does not count toward the graduation requirement in English.
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