English Course Descriptions
ENGLISH I
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 8th grade English.
CA: 9th Grade
English I is a comprehensive study of literature by genre (i.e. short story, drama, epic poetry, nonfiction, poetry, and novel). With literature as the core of the curriculum, additional study is given to grammar, vocabulary, composition, editing, research, multimedia, speaking and listening, and higher-level thinking skills.
HONORS ENGLISH I
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Level 4 or 5 on 8th Grade English EOG or 90 or > in 8th Grade English
Previous Course: 8th Grade English
CA: 9th Grade
Students in Honors English II will explore literature more widely and deeply, including more challenging texts. Students will also explore the ways that audience, purpose, and context shape oral communication, written communication, and technology and will engage in meaningful communication for expository, argumentative, and literary purposes.
ENGLISH II
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English I
CA: 9th Grade or 10th Grade
This course is a survey course in world literature from ancient times to the present. Emphasis is placed on elements of good writing, analysis of literature, vocabulary development, research, multimedia, and speaking and listening. The course will also emphasize preparation for a state online English II EOC assessment that is required of all sophomore students.
HONORS ENGLISH II
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: A on English I Final Exam OR 85 or > in Honors English I or 90 or > in English I.
Previous Course: English I
CA: 9th Grade or 10th Grade
Students in Honors English II will read, discuss, and write about both classical and contemporary world literature. They will examine pieces of world literature in a cultural context to appreciate the diversity and complexity of world issues. Students will continue to explore language for a variety of purposes, with an emphasis on informational contexts. The course will also emphasize preparation for a state online English II EOC assessment that is required for all sophomore students.
ENGLISH III
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English II
CA: 10th Grade or 11th Grade
A survey course in American literature, English III emphasizes analytical, expository, and creative writing skills; grammar, vocabulary study, research, multimedia, speaking, listening, and higher order thinking skills; and cooperative problem solving skills. There is a required research paper/project for this course.
HONORS ENGLISH III
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Level 4 or 5 on English II EOC OR 85 or > in Honors English II or 90 or > in English II.
Previous Course: English II
CA: 10th Grade or 11th Grade
Students in Honors English III will analyze United States literature as it reflects social and historical significance. The emphasis in English III is critical analysis of texts through reading, writing, speaking, listening, and using media. There is a required research paper for this course.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH III AND AP SEMINAR
Credit: 2 units (YEAR LONG) 1 English credit, 1 elective credit
Prerequisites: Level 4 OR 5 on English II EOC OR 85 or > in Honors English II or 90 or > in English II.
SUMMER READING REQUIRED
Previous Course: English II
CA: 10th Grade or 11th Grade
Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP English Language and Composition Seminar exam in May. Failure to do so could result in an "F" for the course. Students who wish to drop these courses at the semester change will receive an "F" for both courses on their academic transcript.
These courses are to prepare you for writing in a college setting, focusing on the writing you would do in a broad spectrum of courses: the sciences, history, the arts, humanities, etc.
AP SEMINAR: This part of the course is to develop and practice the skills in research, collaboration, and communication that you’ll need in any academic discipline. You’ll investigate topics in a variety of subject areas, write research-based essays, and design and give presentations both individually and as part of a team. Students learn skills in reading and analyzing articles, studies, and other texts; gathering and combining information from sources; viewing an issue from multiple perspectives; crafting arguments based on evidence.
AP Language and Composition: This part of the course is designed to imitate the college freshman English composition course and focuses on the study of rhetoric-how we use language to communicate with the world. Students will study the skills of master writers, develop their own skills in writing, and analyze and use the conventions of language to understand complex texts and further their own writing aims.
ENGLISH IV
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English III
CA: 11th Grade or 12th Grade
This course is a study of British literature designed to develop higher level reading, research, and cooperative problem solving skills, SAT/ACT preparation, analytical and expository writing skills, multimedia skills, and public speaking.
HONORS ENGLISH IV
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisite: A on English III Final Exam OR 85 or > in Honors English III or 90 or > in English III.
Previous Course: English III
CA: 11th Grade or 12th Grade
Students in Honors English IV will integrate all the language arts skills gained throughout their education. Students will focus on British literature. The emphasis in English IV is argumentation by developing a position of advocacy through reading, writing, speaking, listening, and using media. There is a required research paper/presentation for this course.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH IV (ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION)
Credit: 1 unit
Prerequisites: A on English III Final Exam OR 85 or > in Honors English III or 90 or > in English III.
SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS REQUIRED
Previous Course: English III, Honors English III, or AP Language
CA: 11th Grade or 12th Grade
Students enrolled in this course are required to take the AP English Language and Composition Seminar exam in May. Failure to do so could result in an "F" for the course. Students who wish to drop these courses at the semester change will receive an "F" for both courses on their academic transcript
AP English Literature and Composition: The equivalent of a college-level literary analysis course, this course focuses on a close study of a variety of plays, poems, and novels from the sixteenth century to contemporary times. Throughout the year, students deepen their understanding of the ways master writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers.
AP RESEARCH
Credit: 1 elective unit
Prerequisites: AP Seminar
SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS REQUIRED
Previous Course: AP Seminar
CA: 11th Grade or 12th Grade
AP Research: This course 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. Through this inquiry, they further the skills they acquired in the AP Seminar course by learning research methodology, employing ethical research practices, and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information. Students reflect on their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of their scholarly work through a process and reflection portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of 4,000–5,000 words (accompanied by a performance, exhibit, or product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense.