The courses offered in the English Department provide instruction in writing, literary analysis, vocabulary, and grammar at the appropriate grade level. Required courses include English 9, English 10, English 11, and English 12. The English Department is offering four full-year Advanced Placement (AP) courses. College-bound students who wish to begin college level work in the high school setting should consider taking one or two courses while in high school.
In Person Course: 111100 & 111101
Online Course: 115100 & 115101
Grade Level: 9
Credits: 2, Yearlong Course
Through this course, students will demonstrate an understanding of the writing process. Students will read, study, and comprehend a variety of different types of literature. This course will include vocabulary practice as well as the application of language skills.
Course: 111102 & 111103
Grade Level: 9
Credits: 2, Yearlong Course
This course is offered to highly motivated students who prefer a challenging and intensive curriculum, students will also gain preparation for a smooth transition into AP English courses their junior and senior years. Students who enroll should be strong readers and writers who can set high goals and meet deadlines. There will be an emphasis on academic writing practice and critical reading skills.
In-Person Course: 111200 & 111201
Online Course: 115200 & 115201
Grade Level: 10
Credits: 2, Yearlong course
Students will read, study, and comprehend more complex works of prose, drama, poetry, fiction, novels, informational texts, as well as online resources. They will also practice vocabulary and editing skills as they advance their writing process skills.
Course: 111202, 111203
Grade Level: 10
Credits: 2, Yearlong Course
In addition to the general targets of the sophomore courses, students will also gain preparation for a smooth transition into AP English courses their junior and senior years. The course will have a strong and rigorous emphasis on academic writing practice and critical reading skills.
In-Person Course: 111300 & 111301
Online Course: 115300 & 115301
Grade Level: 11
Credits: 2, Yearlong course
This course emphasizes continued reading skills and writing skills growth. Students’ reading will include a range of genres and text complexity--further preparing them for the challenges ahead. Student’s completion of a research project and other writing will emphasize grammar and editing skills as well as effective and clear communication.
In-Person Course: 111400
Online Course: 115400
Grade Level: 12
Credits: 1
Students will read works of increasing sophistication compared to earlier courses. Literature, poetry, plays, literary nonfiction, as well as, at least, one novel will be read to practice evaluating intricate argumentation and literary analysis. Students will extend their earlier practice with vocabulary and writing--especially expository and literary analysis writing.
Course: 111321
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credits: 1
Students will discuss styles of writing, read a variety of authors and analyze their writing styles, and work toward improving personal writing skills. Students will be required to keep a daily journal and will create works in the short story, drama, personal essay, and poetry genres. This course will often utilize the workshop format in which students will be asked to share their thoughts and works in small and large group settings.
Course: 111322
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credits: 1
This course will enable students to read and enjoy several novels of varying complexity, both current and classical, for technique, style, theme, and relationship to self and society. Students will be assessed via participation, daily assignments, written reflections, and tests. This is a course for students who truly enjoy reading and would like to learn how to read a novel for both pleasure, and deeper understanding.
Course: 115331
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credits: 1
Additional Credit Option:SCSU CMST 220 - 3 cr.
This course is a study of communication behaviors in dyads (pairs) and their impact on personal relationships. Learners analyze the common variables of interpersonal communication and learn techniques to overcome barriers to effective communication. Students will learn techniques of interpersonal competency improving one-on-one skills for verbal and non-verbal communication, perception, self-disclosure, listening and feedback, sharing emotions, assertiveness, coping with conflict, appropriate mediated interpersonal communication and communicating with family and friends and in the workplace. Completion of this asynchronous online course provides students with an opportunity to earn college credit at the same time as high school credit; this course fulfills a rigorous course waiver and may be substituted for English 12.
Course: 111323
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credits: 1
Additional Credit Option: CLC COMM 1410 – 3 cr.
This beginning-level course is designed to introduce students to four key areas of the communication discipline: interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, small group communication and public speaking. Through this course, students will explore the fundamental theories of communication as well as identify and apply the basic skills from each of those core areas so they can become more effective communicators in a variety of contexts. Completion of this course provides students with an opportunity to earn college credit at the same time as high school credit; this course fulfills a rigorous course waiver and may be substituted for English 12.
Course: 111324, 111325
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credits: 2, Yearlong Course
This course is designed to teach students about the art of rhetoric. Students will read, comprehend, and analyze a variety of complex texts and will write rich, stylish prose to effectively communicate to various audiences. Through reading challenging nonfiction texts, students will identify a writer's audience and purpose as well as analyze rhetorical strategies and devices. Students will also learn to evaluate, use, and cite sources effectively while writing with different styles, tones, and rhetorical strategies in both formal and informal contexts.
Course: 111403, 111404
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Credits: 2, Yearlong Course
The goal of this course is to strike a balance between the study of literature and the study (and intensive practice) of writing. Students will work to develop sophisticated skills in writing literary criticism and in analytical reading of literature of recognized merit. Texts and methods used will be the same as those used at the college level for freshman and sophomore literature survey courses.
Course: 111331
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credits: 1
Additional Credit Option: CLC ENGL 1410 - 4 cr.
Composition I is a semester-long writing-intensive course that prepares students for writing effectively in a variety of academic and professional situations. Students will learn and employ a variety of rhetorical strategies, including (but not limited to) description, narration, exposition, exemplification, classification, process analysis, comparison/contrast, and definition through formal papers written in edited Standard English, which will result in a total of at least 5,000 words. In addition, students may also be asked to write journals, a resume and letter of application, and to review grammar. Students will regularly engage in all stages of the writing process; learn how to successfully participate in an online, academic environment; and hone their ability to identify thesis, audience, tone, unity, coherence, and emphasis in their reading and writing. The course will also include a literature component to present basic terminology and foster critical thinking skills.
Course: 111332
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credits: 1
Additional Credit Option: CLC ENGL 1411 – 4 cr.
Composition II focuses on research-based writing and information literacy. Students will learn and employ rhetorical strategies such as analysis (of ideas or human situations into comparable or constituent parts), cause and effect reasoning, inductive/deductive reasoning, and argument/persuasion. Subjects may include reaction, evaluation, and interpretation of literature and/or socio-cultural phenomena. Students will learn the principles of the academic research process such as developing a topic, understanding and applying outside sources, and defining and supporting a critical lens. During that process, students will learn how to locate, access, evaluate, and synthesize traditional and online library resources. Throughout the course, students will demonstrate a command of the writing and revision process and the APA (American Psychological Association) and the MLA (Modern Language Association) formats. Students will demonstrate these skills through formal papers written in edited Standard English, which will result in a total of at least 5,000 words.
AP Capstone™ is an innovative diploma program that helps students to stand out in the college admission process by developing the critical skills needed to succeed in college. This program immerses students in relevant topics while developing the analytical, research, problem-solving, and communication skills that colleges seek in their applicants.
There are two options for recognition within the program:
AP Capstone Diploma™: Students who earn scores of 3 or higher on both the AP Seminar and AP Research Exams and on four additional AP Exams of their choosing will receive the diploma.
AP Seminar and Research Certificate™: Students who earn scores of 3 or higher on the AP Seminar and AP Research Exams will only receive the certificate.
Course Number: 111407, 111408
Grade Level: 11, 12
Credits: 2, Yearlong course
Recommended: English 10 Intensive or AP Language & Composition
Students will develop analytical reading and academic research skills and learn to compose research reports and argumentative essays at the collegiate level. Students will explore relevant, real-world multidisciplinary topics of their choice by considering divergent perspectives and evaluating a variety of sources. Students will complete three components contributing to the overall AP Seminar Exam score: a team project and oral presentation, an individual paper and oral presentation, and a written end-of-course exam in May. Note: This course satisfies English 10, English 11, English 12, or elective credit requirements.
Course Number: 111405, 111406
Grade Level: 12
Credits: 2, Yearlong course
Recommended: English 10 Intensive or AP Language & Composition
In AP Research, students will deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest by designing and conducting a yearlong research based investigation. Students further their skills acquired in the AP Seminar course by understanding research methodology; employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address their research question. The course culminates in an academic paper of approximately 4000–5000 words (accompanied by a performance or exhibition of product where applicable) and a final presentation with an oral defense. Note: This course satisfies English 11, English 12 or elective credit requirements.