 |
Courses offered by the English department provide an opportunity to read and discuss literature and to write on a range of topics in a variety of ways. Students learn to express themselves clearly and correctly, to define abstract concepts, and to organize their ideas.
English 9
The English 9 curriculum encourages each student to explore what it means to be a close reader and an attentive writer. Course readings from the ancient world allow students to examine the oldest of literary themes and discover how those common motifs still resonate throughout contemporary life. In cultivating close reading skills, the course trains the student to be receptive to important details and then to correlate those details with the larger issues of a literary work and also with his or her own basic humanness. Major writings include persuasive essays and a research paper. Grammar studies emphasize correct usage and review of major errors, often within the context of the student’s own writing. In addition, students pursue a systematic study of vocabulary.
English 10
The English 10 course fosters enjoyment of reading, improves the ability to analyze literature critically, and reinforces writing skills. Course readings come from European literature of the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance to the twentieth century, with special emphasis on British literature. Instruction focuses on writing cohesive essays in different rhetorical modes as well as research essays incorporating documentation skills. Students read novels, poetry, and plays from different eras and discuss the writers' varied literary strategies and devices. English 10 continues the prior year's emphasis on the use of good grammar in writing and on building an effective vocabulary.
Honors English 10
Honors English 10 is an accelerated, in-depth study of selected works of European literature from the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance to the twentieth century, with the major focus on British literature. Students consider the genres of the works they read and analyze literary strategies and devices of the writers they study. As in English 10, instruction also focuses on writing cohesive essays in different rhetorical modes; research essays hone students’ documentation skills. Competence in the use of appropriate grammar and vocabulary building are emphases.
English 11
English 11 students read and explore selected works of American writing from the American Renaissance to postmodernism. Students become aware of important ideological and philosophical concerns, historical contexts, and basic themes. Work in composition and rhetoric reinforces and refines writing skills, especially in the explication of selected texts, composition of critical essays, and evaluation and documentation of research sources. Vocabulary building and grammar review are also emphasized.
Honors English 11
Honors English 11 is an accelerated, in-depth study of selected works of American writing from the American Renaissance to postmodernism. Students become aware of important ideological and philosophical concerns, historical contexts, and basic themes. Work in composition and rhetoric reinforces and refines writing skills, especially in the explication of selected texts, composition of critical essays, and evaluation and documentation of research sources. Grammar review and vocabulary enhancement continue. Special importance is placed on student-led reports and projects.
AP English 11: Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition
AP students track the English 11 survey reading, but read fewer works in more depth. Emphasis is on the close analysis of fiction, drama, and poetry. A variety of AP-style essays and multiple-choice exercises help prepare students for the AP English Literature and Composition Exam. Students become aware of important ideological and philosophical concerns, historical contexts, and basic themes. Work in composition and rhetoric reinforces and refines writing skills, especially in the explication of selected texts, composition of critical essays, and evaluation and documentation of research sources. Grammar review and vocabulary enhancement continue. Special emphasis is placed on student-led reports and projects.
English 12
This course offers a college-preparatory curriculum that emphasizes expository and argumentative prose. Reading selections are drawn from a variety of genres and historical contexts, with emphasis placed on twentieth century and contemporary texts. Writing assignments include a personal essay, non-literary research documents, and literary analysis essays. Grammar studies accompany the writing instruction, as students apply rules and edit prose. Students continue the systematic study of vocabulary.
Honors English 12
Honors English 12 offers students an accelerated college-preparatory study of literature and writing. Students write a variety of papers, including personal essays, expository essays, a synthesis research paper, argumentative essays, critiques of arguments, and rhetorical analyses. As in the English 12 course, the readings derive from a variety of sources, with more coming from twentieth century and contemporary texts. Students continue the systematic study of vocabulary and the review of grammar and writing skills through editing their own papers. Students often choose to take the AP English Language Exam, so some preparation for this exam is offered.
AP English 12: Advanced Placement English Language and Composition
AP English 12 provides a challenging curriculum that prepares students to take the AP exam through study of nonfiction texts and practice within the modes of writing. The course also offers a diverse array of literature for consideration. Students study argumentation and explore complex literature by analyzing chosen passages and entire works. A study of selected critical theories introduces students to a variety of approaches to interpreting literature. This course encourages independent work; students read texts of their own choosing and write and report on their discoveries about these texts. Writing assignments include précis writing, literary analyses, personal essays, a non-literary research paper, a theoretical literary analysis, argumentative essays, critiques of arguments, and many rhetorical analysis essays. Vocabulary building and grammar review continue.
Film Studies
Film Studies is a one-semester senior elective examining the history of film and the fundamental elements of filmmaking, including photography, mise-en-scene, camera movement, editing, sound, acting, drama, narration, and theory. Students keep critical journals and evaluate important works from 1919 to the present. A critical analysis paper is required.
Creative Writing
The Creative Writing course develops the students’ abilities through the writing and work-shopping of short stories, poems, and possibly a one-act play. From class-driven prompts and exercises, students create stories and poems and present them to the class. Response of classmates focuses upon how better to craft a particular work (and the students’ work to follow). Class discussions consider the role of the artist, the nature of contemporary literary works, and the nature of the process by which writers work. The course demands prolific writing and reading and culminates in a portfolio of the semester’s work. Students may elect to take this course for a semester or for the entire year.
Philosophy: Journey of the Hero and the Examined Life
This one-semester elective assists students in identifying, analyzing, and integrating the fundamental questions of life that everyone, as well as the literary hero, encounters in the quest for meaning. The course investigates the central questions of philosophy, responses of various philosophers to these questions, and the impact of both upon various cultures and their literary expression.