English Course Descriptions

HE0121, HE0122          ENGLISH 9                                                                                   

Students develop reading (fiction and non-fiction), speaking and listening, research, and language skills. Course content includes a focus on the human condition through the study of short stories, extended texts, a Shakespearean play, a classical text, and a variety of media.

HE0141, HE0142          ENGLISH 9 HONORS                                                            

This course is designed for students seeking further challenges who are willing and able to read more  sophisticated literature and to engage in more complex and extensive writing assignments.  Students will learn how to critically read and analyze a text, synthesize multiple sources to draw conclusions, and formulate arguments. 

HE0221, HE0222          ENGLISH 10                                                                                   

Students develop reading (fiction and non-fiction), speaking and listening, research, and language skills. Students research, analyze, discuss and write about a variety of texts (fiction, non-fiction, and multi-media) in order to draw inferences about the messages found within the texts.

HE0241, HE0242          ENGLISH 10 HONORS                                                             

This course is designed for students who wish to challenge themselves and who are willing and able to read more complex literature and undertake complex writing and   research assignments independently. Course content works to develop students’ skills in research, analysis, discussion, and reading and writing about a variety of texts in order to draw inferences about messages in the world. Reading and writing instruction and assignments are designed to prepare students for the challenges of honors and AP courses in their junior and senior year. This course is offered in both the traditional and blended format.

HE0321, HE0322          ENGLISH 11                                                                                      

English 11 is an investigation of various genres of American Literature including extended and short fiction and non-fiction texts through a variety of mediums. Students will read and consider the recurring themes of freedom, justice, and morality, and will apply writing, speaking and listening, and research skills to various forms of analysis and synthesis.

HE0341, HE0342          ENGLISH 11 HONORS                                                            

This course is designed for students who wish to challenge themselves and are willing and able to read complex fiction and non-fiction texts and undertake complex writing and research assignments. Course content will focus on American Literature and will prepare students to take either AP English Language and Composition or the AP English Literature and Composition course. This course is offered in both the traditional and blended format.

GH1321, HE2421, GH1322, HE2422          AMERICAN STUDIES                 

American Studies is a co-taught two period course that combines the two required courses in US History and English 11/American Literature into one integrated course by taking a thematic approach to both subjects. Students study and analyze primary and secondary source readings and focus on the development of writing skills. 

HE5121, HE5122          ENGLISH 12: CREATIVE WRITING AND LITERATURE TODAY         

In this course, students will compose several forms of creative writing (fiction, poetry, short film, lyrics, essays, drama, and multi-media forms that blend written and visual language). Students will also examine how creative literature from America and the world written after 1970 fits into the contemporary landscape and how these texts compared to classic writers and time periods. Students’ creative writing projects will reflect the contemporary themes that are important to them.

HE5221, HE5222           ENGLISH 12: FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION         

Speculative fiction, both science fiction and fantasy, explore society and human nature by holding up a mirror to reality. This class will ask students to do the same, by reading science and fantasy fiction, by studying the non-fiction history, mythology and science that fuels them, and by writing their own. It will ask students to develop their own opinions about society by analyzing class readings and writing some of their own science fiction and fantasy. 

HE5321, HE5322          ENGLISH 12: LEADERSHIP STUDIES                          

Leadership Studies will focus on the concept and application of leadership in society. The class will explore how leadership has evolved and investigate what it means to be a leader.  Students will study qualities needed to develop effective leadership and ultimately determine their own preferred leadership style. The course will culminate in an extended Service Learning project where students will determine a community issue, solicit a community mentor, and then research and plan a solution. Due to cap size limitation to meet the Service Learning component of this course, application is required.

HE5421, HE5422          ENGLISH 12: LITERATURE: WORLD TOUR         

World Tour will focus on literature--fiction and non-fiction--from all areas and ages of the world.  While studying a region's literature, students will experience the culture through a variety of local field trips and guest speakers. Students who are successful in World Tour either have an interest in learning about other cultures or other ways of thinking 

HE5521, HE5522          ENGLISH 12: MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES - FILM AND LITERATURE                   

This course allows students to see how their perception is created and ultimately bleeds into the literature they read and view. Throughout the course, students build an understanding of the relationship between point of view and critical theory as they are asked to move beyond the text and look at the social impacts of both film and literature. They apply multiple critical perspectives to film, non-fiction, fiction and non-print texts and investigate influences on a text. This course is offered in both the traditional and blended format.

HE1551, HE1552          AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION                    

AP English Language and Composition is a college-level study of non-fiction texts written in a variety of eras,  disciplines, and rhetorical contexts.  Students will read and analyze complex text with understanding, synthesize  research materials, and write in both formal and informal contexts with authority to communicate effectively with mature readers. This course is offered in both the traditional and blended format.   College Board recommends enrollment in Grade 11 or 12.

HE2551, HE2552          AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION            

AP English Literature and Composition is a college-level study of challenging American, English, and World  literature in all genres. Students read and analyze fiction works from thematic, stylistic, historical, and critical perspectives, and are expected to write complex prose that communicates effectively with mature readers.  College Board recommends enrollment in Grade 11 or 12.

HE5741, HE5742          ENGLISH 12: WORLD MYTHOLOGY HONORS              

World Mythology will focus on the study of the beginnings of world culture and present a cross-cultural and historical survey of world myths.  It will take students on a mythological journey beginning with Greek and Roman then Middle Eastern to Norse and Celtic then continuing with Asian and South Pacific then on to India and finishing with the Americas and African mythology. This course will enable students to recognize the relationship of mythology to other fields; i.e. philosophy, science, art, history and find connections to our world today.

HE7141, HE7142  COLLEGE PREPARATORY ENGLISH 

Length/Credit: 1 year/1.0 (Credit awarded at the end of the second semester.)

Prerequisite: English 11

College Preparatory English is a course that develops skills in reading, critical thinking, research and writing to support student success across all college majors and career pathways.   Throughout this course, students will engage in the exploration of self, community, and advocacy.  Students will select a topic of interest to research and present as a capstone project.  In addition to the development of valuable insight, skills, and competencies, successful completion of the course with an overall grade of C or better guarantees student placement into college credit-bearing courses with a reading or writing prerequisite at any Illinois community college and select universities in Illinois.

*Course available pending Board approval

HE6101          ENG 101: ENGLISH COMPOSITION I                                                                                                          

The goal of ENG 101 is for students to become better readers, writers, and thinkers.  Students will read a variety of essays that will serve as models for the expressive, expository, and persuasive essays of their own.  Students will not only improve their grammar skills, but will also learn how to read closely, write clearly, and think critically. 

HE6102          ENG 102: ENGLISH COMPOSITION II                                                                                                       

Second semester of a one-year course normally required by all universities and colleges.  Emphasis on achieving logic and precision in handling such extensive compositions as the research paper and persuasive and critical themes based on literature or other academic disciplines.  

ENGLISH ELECTIVES 

HE2223           CREATIVE WRITER’S WORKSHOP                                                       

In this course, students will craft several independent creative writing projects.  However, students choose their topics and genres (i.e. poetry, plays, comics, lyrics, stories, novelettes, memoirs). You will collaborate with classmates and the instructor to establish your genres, topics, rubrics, deadlines, personalized writing goals and to give/receive feedback. Class time will also focus on mini-writing lessons, warm-up exercises, and individual writing time.  You may repeat this course up to four times. This course is offered in both the traditional and blended format.

HE2323          JOURNALISTIC WRITING                                                                          

Journalistic writing is an investigation of the rights, responsibilities, information gathering processes, writing techniques, and influence of the American media. Students will examine and write in a variety of professional formats, including but not limited to newspaper articles, entertainment reviews, editorials, and broadcast reports.

HE3033        CMS 101: FUNDAMENTALS OF SPEECH

Introductory public speaking course designed to develop research, delivery and organization skills. Particular attention is focused on finding, structuring and supporting ideas, as well as on increasing confidence and poise in a variety of speaking situations.

HE3023         SPEECH

Length/credit 1 semester, .5 Credit

Prerequisite: None

Speech is a performance -based course in which students study, practice, and perform the skills of oral communication. Students will perform a variety of speeches, develop effective speaking and listening techniques, evaluation skills and media literacy, and understand and employ techniques of persuasion.

HE3123          DEBATE                                                                                                             

Debate is designed to develop reasoning and communication skills that can be applied in all speaking situations, but especially in situations of argumentation. Students study and develop argumentation skills, research skills, reasoning skills, and listening skills as they engage in extemporaneous speaking, policy debate, value debate, and congressional   debate.

HE4121, HE4122          LITERACY BLOCK 9                                                                

Literacy Block 9 is designed to build students’ literacy skills and assist with coursework in English 9. Students set and work toward individualized literacy goals, strengthen organizational skills, and build independence and confidence in literacy.

HE4221, HE4222          LITERACY BLOCK 10                                                           

Literacy Block 10 is designed to build students’ literacy skills and assist with coursework in English 10. Students set and work toward individualized literacy goals, strengthen organizational skills, and build independence and confidence in literacy.

HE4021, HE4022          READING                                                                                     

Reading is a course for students who wish to improve reading skills, fluency or understanding. Students work to improve their reading level by building vocabulary and comprehension skills and by developing a variety of strategies that can be applied to reading in all other high school courses and the ACT.

HE3551, HE3552          AP SEMINAR                                                                            

AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources,  develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations. College Board recommends enrollment in Grades 10, 11 or 12 and prior to concurrent AP experience.  

HE4551, HE4552          AP RESEARCH                                                  

AP Research allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, issue or idea of individual interest.  Students design, plan and implement a yearlong investigation to address a research question. Building on skills acquired in AP Seminar, students will reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work into a portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000-5,000 words with a presentation and oral defense. College Board requires successful completion of AP Seminar.