English
Believing that literature and writing have a profound effect on the human experience, the English Department uses a range of critical methods to introduce students to a variety of cultural traditions. Students will broaden and deepen their knowledge of the world, past and present.
In all English classes, students will:
- respectfully communicate in written and verbal form
- gather, organize, analyze, synthesize and evaluate information
- effectively problem solve
Classes Offered
Academic
5302 ENGLISH I
Course Length: Year
Grade Level: 9
This one-year course is an introduction to a variety of literary genres including the short story, poetry, drama, the novel, and mythology. Grammar is taught formally and within the context of writing. Writing instruction emphasizes the paragraph and the five-paragraph essay form; creative writing is also taught and practiced. UC Approved
5304 ENGLISH II
Course Length: Year
Grade Level: 10
This one-year course uses a thematic approach with an emphasis on world literature. Students will continue to strengthen their knowledge of grammar, composition, and revision practices. Composition includes a variety of rhetorical modes and encourages critical and analytical thinking. Students receive formal instruction of the research process and documentation styles. UC Approved
5306 ENGLISH III
Course Length: Year
Grade Level: 11
This one-year course, engages students in a survey of American literature from pre-Colonial 17th Century to the multicultural literature of the 21st Century. This includes an in-depth study of poetry, short stories, essays, drama, and novels. The course also further develops students’ approach to the writing process. Writing skills focus on style and structure with several assignments in expository, narrative, descriptive, and argumentative composition. The spring semester focuses on a multi-step research based writing project. UC Approved
5308 ENGLISH IV
Course Length: Year
Grade Level: 12
To prepare seniors for the literacy demands of higher education, this class is designed to develop critical thinking, reading, and writing skills at the senior level. Students in this yearlong course develop advanced proficiency in expository, analytical, and argumentative reading and writing as well as literary analysis. Students will continue to demonstrate knowledge of research methods and documentation conventions. By the end of the course, students should be able to identify key rhetorical concepts such as audience, purpose, context, and genre through analysis of texts; determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text; and produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to the task. The ultimate goal of this English class is to create self-directed learners who reflect on their learning and on the processes that shape knowledge. UC Approved
Honors
5303 HONORS ENGLISH I
Course Length: Year
Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: Students are recommended for this class by a committee that reviews entrance exam scores, writing samples, and previous English grades.
This one-year advanced course in the genres of literature including mythology, drama, poetry, the short story, and the novel. Writing instruction focuses on critical and analytical thinking. A variety of rhetorical modes are taught and practiced. Proficiency in grammar, reading comprehension, analytical thinking, and writing are essential for this faster paced course. Participation in this class does not guarantee acceptance into Honors English II. UC Approved
5305 HONORS ENGLISH II
Course Length: Year
Grade Level: 10
Prerequisite: B or higher both semesters in Honors English I; An A both semesters in English I.
This one-year advanced course in literature includes ancient and modern drama, the novel, romantic and classical poetry, and short story selections. Writing skills emphasize descriptive writing, formal essays, and the research process. Competency in grammar plus a proficiency in reading comprehension and analysis are required. Participation in this class does not guarantee acceptance into AP English Language and Composition. UC Approved
5309 HONORS ENGLISH III
Course Length: Year
Grade Level: 11
Prerequisite: B or better both semesters in Honors English II; An A both semesters of English II.
This one-year advanced course presents students with a survey of American literature from pre-Colonial 17th Century to the multicultural literature of the 21st Century. Students will focus on a variety of genres including poetry, drama, and novels. With a faster pace and a more intense weight on writing, this class will present students with numerous writing and thinking challenges. Writing assignments will focus on argument and analysis. Students will engage in multiple research based writing assignments as well. Students taking this course should have a strong background in grammar, mechanics, and writing structure. UC Approved
5326 HONORS ENGLISH IV
Course Length: Year
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: B or better both semesters in Honors English III; An A both semesters of English III; B or better in AP Language & Composition.
This one-year advanced course is designed to deepen critical thinking, reading, and writing skills at the senior level. Students in this yearlong course develop advanced proficiency in expository, analytical, and argumentative reading and writing as well as literary analysis. Students will continue to demonstrate knowledge of research methods and documentation conventions. By the end of the course, students should be able to identify key rhetorical concepts such as audience, purpose, context, and genre through analysis of texts; determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text; and produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. The ultimate goal of this English class is to create self-directed learners who reflect on their learning and on the processes that shape knowledge. UC Approved
Advanced Placement (AP)
5307 AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION
Course Length: Year
Grade Level: 11
Prerequisites: An A both semesters in Honors English II.
In preparation for the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition exam in May, this year-long course focuses on rhetoric and the fundamentals of argument. Students will learn how authors position their texts in specific contexts and craft meaning using rhetorical strategies. The class places a heavy emphasis on reading nonfiction and requires students to produce numerous compositions, many of which are timed in-class essays. The class also covers the basics of American Literature, beginning with the Native Americans and progressing into the 20th century. Students will need clear proficiency in writing, reading, and editing to participate effectively in this course. Participation in AP English Language and Composition does not guarantee selection for AP English Literature and Composition. UC Approved
5310 AP ENGLISH LITERATURE & COMPOSITION
Course Length: Year
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisites: B or higher both semesters in AP English Language & Composition; B+ or higher both semesters of Honors English III.
This year-long course focuses on how authors construct fiction, including novels, short-stories, drama, and poetry. The reading assigned in the course will be considered of high literary merit, as approved by the College Board curriculum and in preparation for the AP Literature exam in May. Students will perform close analyses of poetry, drama, fiction, and the essay as they hone their critical thinking and writing skills. The course includes frequent opportunities for the students to write both formally and informally. There is a heavier emphasis on timed writing in this class than any other senior English class. UC Approved
Electives
5322 LITERATURE INTO FILM
Course Length: Semester Course
Grade Level: 10,11,12
This class explores the complex interplay between text and film, especially as it relates to films adopted from works of literature. Students explore visual storytelling techniques through several distinct modes of cinema: adaptations, original screenplays, documentaries, and non-linear narratives. Students also examine the different modes of storytelling endemic to cinema. Selected works of fiction and nonfiction will be studied as written works before exploring their film adaptations. The class will also explore introductory concepts of film studies including scene structure, cinematography, visual literacy, and the filmmaking process. This class is paired with Shakespeare. UC Approved
5312 JOURNALISM
Course Length: Year
Grade Level: 9-12
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and writing sample required.
Journalism is a one-year course focusing on the need for effective communication and enabling the student to write for any journalistic purpose or readership. Areas of concentration include gathering, writing, and editing news, the publishing process, ethics, and the law. Students will also explore issues such as international journalism, the role of the journalist in society, and digital photography. The students will be responsible for the production of the school newspaper and online news website, The Royal Reporter. UC Approved
5323 SHAKESPEARE
Course Length: Semester Course
Grade Level: 10,11,12
This course explores the life, art, and lasting influence of William Shakespeare through a study of at least six of his plays (a mixture of histories, comedies, and tragedies) along with several sonnets. Students will focus on the historical context of Shakespeare’s work as well as the language, characterization, themes, and modern relevance of the playwright’s work. Composition will focus primarily on literary analysis and writing from various critical perspectives. This class is paired with Literature into Film. UC Approved
5994 SPEECH AND DEBATE
Course Length: Semester
Grade Level: 10,11,12
This course focuses on the fundamentals of public speaking and debating; special attention is given to the development of poise and self confidence in front of an audience. It will prepare students for both college and career. Students will understand the importance of analyzing the audience and understand the purposes of public speeches (to inform, to entertain, to persuade and to motivate). They will also improve their verbal and nonverbal communication skills by participating in a variety of speaking situations. Students will learn how to prepare for the speech including research, organization, audience analysis, outlining and practice. UC Approved
Departments
