English

This course is designed for freshmen who have demonstrated in elementary grades and in their entrance examination that they have superior understanding of English fundamentals. Besides covering the same elements of the English 1 curriculum, this course will emphasize the theory and practice of expository writing, listening skills, and oral communication. Students will read novels and short stories not only for comprehension of basic literary theories and terms, but also to stimulate ideas for multiple paragraph essays. Students will be expected to do outside reading beyond the required novels of the course.

This course provides the freshman student with a strong foundation in oral and written communication. Effective techniques for written composition will be stressed with an emphasis on writing fluency and the structure and style of the paragraph. Students will master the one paragraph essay, including the thesis statement, supporting details, transitional phrases, and conclusion, leading to the five- paragraph essay. Proper study skills, listening and speaking skills are reviewed. Vocabulary studies stress context clues. Students read, discuss and analyze short stories, novels, drama, and poetry on the theme of Coming of Age. Author styles and literary techniques are covered.

This course is designed for freshmen who need additional academic support. Placement in the class is dependent upon grades in eighth grade coursework and entrance examination scores. Students work on organizational, study, and test-taking skills. Homework mastery is emphasized.

English 2-X is a chronological survey of, as well as a study of philosophical trends in, American literature. It also examines in detail the theory and practice of effective writing with a focus on exposition, narration, comparison and argumentation. This writing culminates in the writing of a literary analysis research paper. Vocabulary focuses on the preparation for college entrance examinations. Speaking and listening skills continue to be improved.

This course is a survey of American literature. In addition, the sophomore year is a review and extension of skills taught in the ninth grade. The study of more complex sentence forms is extended. Vocabulary skills will also be a continuation of ninth grade work. Students will review paragraph composition and will extend the process to three and five paragraph essays and eventually into a short research paper. Speaking and listening skills are included in unit assignments.

Students are introduced to renowned British writers from the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Restoration, the Romantic Period, the Victorian Period and finally from our present Twentieth Century.

This course also examines in detail the theory and practice of effective writing with a focus on exposition, narration, comparison, and argumentation. This writing culminates in the development of a literary analysis research paper. Vocabulary focuses on the preparation for college entrance examinations with emphasis on sentence completion, word analogies, synonyms, and antonyms. Speaking and listening skills are developed.

This course is a survey of British literature, using various literary genres (short stories, novels, poetry, and drama). It is devoted to examining in detail the theory and practice of effective expository writing, including the development of an expository "position" research paper. Vocabulary focuses on the preparation for college entrance examinations with emphasis on sentence completion, word analogies, synonyms, and antonyms. Speaking and listening skills are included in unit assignments.

This course is designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Test given every spring. This class involves close reading and analysis of poetry, drama, fiction, and the essay on the advanced level. There is special emphasis on the refinement of critical thinking and writing skills.

This course will introduce students to the literature of foreign cultures, with an emphasis on contemporary works in developing regions of South and Central America, Africa, Europe and Asia. Some background study of foreign cultures will be integrated into the literature studied. Continued development of critical writing skills for college, vocabulary study, listening and speaking skills will be stressed.

This course will expose students to novels, short stories, poetry and drama about the teenage years. Through discussion and listening, writing, research, and observation, the course seeks to give students a clearer perspective of the self in relation to others.

This course allows students to see science fiction as prophecy, as myth, as a comment on our time, as an art form, and as mainstream literature. The study of science fiction literature and thought encompasses novels and short stories. Critical and evaluative papers are generated from the literature. Such writers as Asimov, Clark and Bradbury are featured in this course.

This course explores the changing face of contemporary American literature, focusing on living American authors, poets, and playwrights. Students will read both traditional and experimental works from popular contemporary authors. Critical papers, technology projects, and drama field trips allow students full participation in this course.

This course will allow students to explore sports and literature. Through reading, writing, and class discussions, students will explore how sports function in our society and what it reveals about our culture. This class will also draw upon history, geography, philosophy, politics, and culture in order to explore sports to its fullest. Students will be required to read novels, poetry, short stories, biography/autobiography, and nonfiction and analyze these works for ideas as well as style. Students will write both critical and creative responses to material from a variety of sources including books, magazines, newspapers, and electronic media.

This course will explore the history and form of film, with an emphasis on scene and film structure, genre and theme, and the historical and sociopolitical significance of film. The course will provide students with the tools for critically analyzing film and understanding how film speaks as an artistic or literary form. Students will learn to “read” the forms, conventions, and meanings of films in a critical manner. As a result, they should be able to confront new films that they see within the context of the historical, ideological, and aesthetic trends of the 20th century cinema. Additionally, they should be able to think, write, and speak critically about the form, style, and content of those films.

This course covers the genre of mystery and detective fiction from its 19th century origins, to the classic Golden Age puzzle, to the American hard-boiled detective fiction of the 1990s. The course examines the development of the traditional mystery story and the hard-boiled detective story in terms of how each reflects the values and social issues of the culture that produced it. Students will examine the history and structure of mystery and detective fiction through short stories, novels, plays, and film from both American and European authors.

This course explores the contributions the short story has made to world literature and emphasizes the essential elements of the short fiction form. Such renowned short story writers as Steinbeck, Poe, Chekov, and Tolstoy are covered. Critical papers, vocabulary studies, listening and speaking skills are generated from the literature.

In this writing course, students discover their own writing talents through a workshop atmosphere while exploring a variety of literary forms, to include short stories, poetry, drama, non-fiction, and journal writing.

Irish Literature is designed to expose students to the diversity of literature that has come out of Ireland, striving to bring students into contact with Irish texts that reveal the fragmented and diverse identity of a nation torn by crisis. Students will read from Irish folklore and mythology, the novel, poetry, drama and short story in addition to discussing historical events in order to gain an appreciation for the literary heritage of Ireland. Students will write both critical and creative responses to authors including W.B. Yeats, Seamus Heaney, Sean O’Casey, James Joyce, and J. M. Synge. Evaluation of students will include essays, oral presentations and active class participation.

This course is an introduction to public speaking. It is an opportunity for the student to gain self-confidence and learn successful communication skills. The student will become proficient in extemporaneous, impromptu, persuasive, and expository speaking. In addition, the student will learn the basics of argumentation, parliamentary procedure, and group discussion. Students will be required to keep up with current events throughout the (Semester), as these will often be topics for speeches and discussions. Reading and research techniques will also be applied. Tournament competition is available, but not required in Speech & Rhetoric 1.

This is a workshop course designed for the serious speech student interested in competing on the speech team. Drawing from previous forensics experience, the student will have the opportunity to demonstrate his or her abilities in tournament speech events. Events include original oratory; oratorical, dramatic, and humorous interpretation; extemporaneous and impromptu speaking; and debate. Individual and group instruction will be supplemented by group critiques and assistance. This course may be taken more than once, as development of successful tournament-level speaking skills requires regular practice by the student.

This course is designed to allow students who have had previous instruction in research and speaking to put into practice these skills through competition and performance. Throughout This course, the student will be asked to be a mentor/coach for others, meet the requirements set by the forensics directors in preparation for speaking contests and apply oratorical skills in a public relations forum. Activities will include research of various topics, preparation of debate cases, and participation in a variety of speech forms and competitions.

This course allows students to survey mass media and develop techniques of journalism. After studying the history of journalism, students learn interviewing techniques and journalistic writing styles. In addition to writing stories suitable for publication, students learn how a newspaper is produced and staffed, learn the basics of media law, and participate in a number of individual and group projects. The course is helpful for students interested in working on the school newspaper and/or yearbook.

Journalism 2 is designed for the student who wants to investigate more specialized and sophisticated techniques of journalism after completing the introductory survey course. Students will investigate advertising, broadcasting, media law, publication design and careers in journalism. Students also concentrate on the production and publishing aspects of the media as they study, create, produce and critique various writing and design techniques as they apply to school publications.