English

English Requirements

The English Department offers a program of study that enables all learners to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to become productive, responsible citizens who have developed an understanding and appreciation of the role of critical thinking, reading, and writing in a rapidly changing and growing society. English 1 is required in the freshman year, and English 2 is required in the sophomore year. Junior and senior students have a choice of different courses among the following full-year English course options: Film and Literature; Heroes and Monsters: Classic British Literature; Modern and Contemporary Literature; Reading and Writing Non-Fiction; Voices in African American Literature; Sports in Literature and Non-Fiction; AP Language and Composition; or AP Literature and Composition. All courses include work in vocabulary, reading, grammar, writing, speaking, and listening. The completion of multiple guaranteed writing experiences, one of which is a research paper, is a requirement of each full-year course. A minimum of one credit of English is required each year, and students may not take the same course more than once for credit.

The English Department faculty recommends that students consider the differences between honors level and college preparatory level courses before final course selection. Courses designated honors level require students to hone their reading and writing skills with a higher degree of independence and with increasingly complex texts and tasks. In honors level courses, students  are expected to demonstrate a greater level of analytical complexity in both their close reading and writing skills. The texts and essay assignments are also typically more challenging and expected to be completed with a higher degree of independence.

All full-year literature courses include a required summer reading component because the Department believes:

1. Reading should be a part of every student's daily life.
2. Reading improves writing, deepens comprehension, builds background knowledge, and expands vocabulary.
3. Summer provides time for students to enjoy uninterrupted reading.
4. Summer reading allows students to thoughtfully digest the literary texts they will discuss during the opening weeks of school.

Students should be prepared both to write about summer reading selections and to discuss these texts in class during the opening weeks of school.

English 1

• Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
• Grade: 9
• Course Number: 01010202

This course explores how story and language are impacted by social, cultural, and historic context and highlights a responsibility to advocate for oneself and for others. While students' experiences are balanced between reading and writing, writing as an act of thinking is a core tenet of the course, and students develop independence in writing by articulating their ideas in a variety of modes. A course aim is for students to improve their writing, reading, and thinking rather than merely completing assignments. The class provides an exposure to a variety of genres. In addition, the texts offer varied authorial and cultural experiences, which enable students to gain insight into their role and responsibilities within "a community" in local and global contexts. Students examine how stories—through a variety of interpretations—reflect and shape communities. Additionally, the course encourages students to impact the societies in which they live through writing, reading, speaking, listening, and reflecting.

English 1 H

• Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
• Grade: 9
• Course Number: 01010303

This course explores how story and language are impacted by social, cultural, and historic context and highlights a responsibility to advocate for oneself and for others. While students' experiences are balanced between reading and writing, writing as an act of thinking is a core tenet of the course, and students develop independence in writing by articulating their ideas in a variety of modes. A course aim is for students to improve their writing, reading, and thinking rather than merely completing assignments. The class provides an exposure to a variety of genres. In addition, the texts offer varied authorial and cultural experiences, which enable students to gain insight into their role and responsibilities within "a community" in local and global contexts. Students examine how stories—through a variety of interpretations—reflect and shape communities. Additionally, the course encourages students to impact the societies in which they live through writing, reading, speaking, listening, and reflecting. At the honors level, a high degree of inferencing is required. Due to the demands of reading and writing independently, students should have strong motivation, highly developed organization and study skills, and the maturity to discuss literature on an abstract, figurative, and critical level.

English 2

• Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
• Grade: 10
• Course Number: 01020202

This course focuses on the study of canonical and contemporary American literature and the rhetorical analysis of non-fiction texts by American authors. The course is guided by three central questions: What is American literature? How does American literature reflect and challenge ideas about American identity? How does American literature reflect and challenge evolving definitions of the American Dream? As is the case in English 1, writing as an act of thinking is a core tenet of the course and learners are expected to hone their writing, reading, and thinking rather than merely completing assignments.

**The Keystone Literature Exam is given every May. Students enrolled in English 2 or English 2 Honors take the Keystone Literature Exam at that time.

English 2 H

• Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
• Grade: 10
• Course Number: 01020302

This course focuses on the study of canonical and contemporary American literature and the rhetorical analysis of non-fiction texts by American authors. The course is guided by three central questions: What is American literature? How does American literature reflect and challenge ideas about American identity? How does American literature reflect and challenge evolving definitions of the American Dream? As is the case in English 1, writing as an act of thinking is a core tenet of the course and learners are expected to hone their writing, reading, and thinking rather than merely completing assignments. Students should have strong motivation, highly developed organizational and study skills, and the maturity to discuss literature on an abstract, figurative, and critical level. Students should be prepared for in-depth study, both independently and cooperatively.

**The Keystone Literature Exam is given every May. Students enrolled in English 2 or English 2 Honors take the Keystone Literature Exam at that time.

Film and Literature or
Film and Literature H

• Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
• Grade(s): 11, 12
• Prerequisite for Honors: It is recommended that interested students have grades of "A" or "B" in the previous year's Honors English course or an "A" in the previous year's College Preparatory English course.
• Course Number: 01071002
  Course Number H: 010710003

This course is centered between the study of film and the study of literature. This course focuses on developing an understanding of and appreciation for film techniques as well as honing close reading skills for analyzing an author's craft in literature. Students analyze multiple versions of a story and evaluate how a film version interprets a literary text. Students also consider various conventions, genre expectations and historical/cultural contexts for both the films and literature studied in the course. Students who take this course at the honors level are expected to demonstrate exceptional performance in written and oral expression, critical thinking, and inferencing skills. Additionally, students should have strong motivation, highly developed organizational and study skills, and the maturity to discuss literature on an abstract, figurative, and critical level as well as the ability to engage with challenging texts independently and critically. Parents will be asked to sign permission forms for films that contain mature content.

Heroes and Monsters: Classic British Literature or
Heroes and Monsters: Classic British Literature H

• Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
• Grade: 11, 12
• Prerequisite for Honors: It is recommended that interested students have grades of "A" or "B" in the previous year's Honors English course or an "A" in the previous year's College Preparatory English course.
• Course Number: 01049102
  Course Number H: 01049103

This course explores British literature's most profound, timeless, and engaging texts. Students analyze and discuss how heroes experience both courage and weakness when tested by external and internal "monsters." Students also examine cultural and historical influences on authors as well as trace the development of the English language over time. The journey begins in the 11th century and ends in contemporary times. The course challenges students to read and write critically and to pursue their personal curiosity through inquiry. Students who take this course at the honors level are expected to demonstrate exceptional performance in written and oral expression, critical thinking, and inferencing skills. Additionally, students should have strong motivation, highly developed organizational and study skills, and the maturity to discuss literature on an abstract, figurative, and critical level as well as the ability to engage with challenging texts independently and critically.

Modern and Contemporary Literature or
Modern and Contemporary Literature H

• Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
• Grade: 11, 12
• Prerequisite for Honors: It is recommended that interested students have grades of "A" or "B" in the previous year's Honors English course or an "A" in the previous year's College Preparatory English course.
• Course Number: 01040222
  Course Number H: 01040223

This course examines modern, worldwide literary texts drawn from a culturally and ethnically diverse collection of texts to gain insight into the role of literature as an expression of a society's values or as a challenge to the status quo. In addition to the major works covered, students will also read poetry, short stories, and independent texts. The teaching of writing is incorporated into the content. Students who take this course at the honors level are expected to demonstrate exceptional performance in written and oral expression, critical thinking, and inferencing skills. Additionally, students should have strong motivation, highly developed organizational and study skills, and the maturity to discuss literature on an abstract, figurative, and critical level as well as the ability to engage with challenging texts independently and critically.

Reading and Writing Non-Fiction or
Reading and Writing Non-Fiction H

• Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
• Grade: 11, 12
• Prerequisite for Honors: It is recommended that interested students have grades of "A" or "B" in the previous year's Honors English course or an "A" in the previous year's College Preparatory English course.
• Course Number: 01040232
  Course Number H: 01040233

Students in this course read and carefully analyze a challenging range of nonfiction prose selections, as well as digital and visual texts, to deepen their awareness of rhetoric, argument, and linguistics. Specific genres studied include memoir, literary nonfiction, social commentary and extended argument, and audiovisual documentaries. Through close reading and writing in diverse modes, including a research project, students develop their ability to understand texts with a greater awareness of audience, purpose, and strategy, while strengthening their own composition skills. Students learn to apply these strategies to visual and digital texts. Students who take this course at the honors level are expected to demonstrate exceptional performance in written and oral expression, critical thinking, and inferencing skills. Additionally, the honors class requires strong motivation, highly developed organizational and study skills, and the maturity to discuss literature on an abstract, figurative, and critical level as well as the ability to engage with challenging texts independently and critically.

Sports in Literature and Non-Fiction or
Sports in Literature and Non-Fiction H

• Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
• Grade(s): 11, 12
• Prerequisite for Honors: It is recommended that interested students have grades of "A" or "B" in the previous year's Honors English course or an "A" in the previous year's College Preparatory English course.
• Course Number: 01070802
  Course Number H: 01070803

This literature-based and inquiry-focused course explores the ways that sports shape culture as well as how culture shapes the perception and reality of sports. Students explore works of literature as well as non-fiction pieces focused on high interest, self-selected and teacher-selected topics. Students are encouraged to make interdisciplinary connections in response to the literary texts and literature they study. Students who take this course at the honors level are expected to demonstrate exceptional performance in written and oral expression, critical thinking, and inferencing skills. Additionally, students should have strong motivation, highly developed organizational and study skills, and the maturity to discuss literature on an abstract, figurative, and critical level as well as the ability to engage with challenging texts independently and critically.

Voices in African-American Literature or
Voices in African-American Literature H

• Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
• Grade(s): 11, 12
• Prerequisite for Honors: It is recommended that interested students have grades of "A" or "B" in the previous year's Honors English course or an "A" in the previous year's College Preparatory English course.
• Course Number: 01070902
  Course Number H: 01070903

Students in this course study works by African American authors through the lens of contemporary issues related to race, culture, and identity in literature. This includes topics such as how literary characters and themes in African American literary works are shaped by gender, race, and/or class experiences and expectations. It also includes opportunities for students to consider how their lived experiences impact the reading of course text as well as how the lived experiences of African American authors influence the writing of text.  Students who take this course at the honors level are expected to demonstrate exceptional performance in written and oral expression, critical thinking, and inferencing skills. Additionally, students should have strong motivation, highly developed organizational and study skills, and the maturity to discuss literature on an abstract, figurative, and critical level as well as the ability to engage with challenging texts independently and critically.

AP English Language and Composition

• Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
• Grade: 11, 12
• Prerequisite: It is recommended that interested students have grades of "A" or "B" previous Honors English courses and recommendation of the 10th grade teacher.
• Course Number: 01030404

Advanced Placement Language and Composition uses close analysis of language, rhetorical strategy, and literary method to elevate reading and writing to a level expected in many first-year college courses. The curriculum examines prose from diverse periods and contexts and helps students grow in their understanding of the interplay between audience, purpose, and the resources of language and argument. The reading focuses mostly on non-fiction prose but does include analysis of literary and visual texts. Students write for diverse purposes, with increased attention to the role of research and synthesis in composing arguments. Timed in-class writing is a prominent but not a controlling aspect of the class. Students must be highly motivated and self-directed learners who are able to navigate complexity and to infer meaning with independence. Finally, the course assumes that students have control of standard written grammar, usage, and stylistic norms; this foundation is necessary for the advanced study of language that can help students progress towards stylistic maturity in their prose.

AP English Literature and Composition

• Length/credit: 1 year - 1.0 credit
• Grade: 11, 12
• Prerequisite: It is recommended that interested students have grades of "A" or "B" in all previous 9th, 10th, 11th grade Honors English or a grade of "A" or "B" in previous AP courses and a recommendation from the sending teacher.
• Course Number: 01040404

Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition engages students in the careful, deliberate reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways fiction writers and poets use language to provide both meaning and stylistic appreciation. Students examine style, structure, and themes as well as the use of figurative language and inferences leading to interpretive conclusions about a work's meaning and value. Writing is an integral part of the course, and students focus on the critical analysis of literature including expository, analytical, and argumentative essays. The goal of writing in AP Literature is to increase a student's ability to explain clearly, cogently, even elegantly, what they understand about literary works and why they interpret them as they do. This course is taught at the college level and is designed to give students a critical and scholarly perspective in the analysis of challenging literature. Advanced Placement English Literature examines concurrent themes in a selection of world literature as determined by the AP canon. Timed in-class writing is a prominent but not controlling aspect of the class.