HS English Course Descriptions
ENGLISH 9
GRADE: 9
Prerequisite(s): None
Credit: 1
Instruction includes a variety of activities designed to improve students’ skills in reading, writing, and speaking. The study of grammar and usage improves students’ composing skills through frequent writing assignments that include book reports and short stories. Instruction also includes a study of literary terms, poetic forms, and the study of literary skills, as well as the use of electronic databases in completing research projects.
ENGLISH 9 - HONORS
GRADE: 9 Prerequisite(s): SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF 8TH GRADE ENGLISH READING AND WRITING SOL TEST AND “A” or “B” AVERAGE IN ENGLISH 8 AND TEACHER RECOMMENDATION
Credit: 1
Advanced grammar, composition, oral presentations, and an intensive study of literature, including literary terms and poetic forms are included in this course. Instruction includes skills in writing business letters and a study of library and research skills for the preparation of oral and written research projects.
DEVELOPMENTAL READING
GRADE: 9
Credit: 1 ELECTIVE
This course focuses on developing fundamental reading and writing skills and is for students who did not pass the Grade 8 English Standards of Learning Tests. Primary emphasis will focus on refining reading and writing skills on the students’ instructional levels using proven research-based reading and writing strategies. Upon completion of this course, students will be eligible for English 9.
ENGLISH 10
GRADE: 10
Prerequisite(s): ENGLISH 9
Credit: 1
Instruction in this course reinforces and extends students’ skills in reading, writing, and speaking. Developing informal essays with emphasis on fundamental skills, emphasizing an understanding of selections from world literature, developing oral presentation skills and the English skills needed for today’s technological business world are essential components of the course, including learning essential skills needed to complete a research project.
ENGLISH 10 HONORS
GRADE: 10
Prerequisite(s): “A” OR “B” AVERAGE IN ENGLISH 9 AND TEACHER RECOMMENDATION
Credit: 1
Advanced grammar and composition skills as well as an understanding of the elements of literature including plot, theme, conflict, irony, symbolism, and characterization are included in this course. Research skills are introduced and analytical thinking skills are used in preparation of written compositions, paragraph development, and preparation of informal essays.
HUMANITIES 111/112-GREAT BOOKS I/II
GRADES: 11-12
Prerequisite(s): PASSED THE APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT TESTS
Credit: 1 ELECTIVE , DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES– 6 college credit hours
HUM 111 introduces selected great works of philosophy and literature, with an emphasis on close analysis of the texts through reading and writing. Within this course, students will develop and practice key skills in communication, including reading, writing, and speaking. This course takes a philosophical approach to study the ways of human culture and experience. HUM 112 continues the study of selected great works of philosophy and literature, with an emphasis on close analysis of the texts through reading and writing. Within this course, students will develop and practice key skills in communication, including reading, writing, and speaking. This course takes a philosophical approach to study the ways of human culture and experience. This program is dependent upon enrollment and faculty availability.
ENGLISH 11
GRADE: 11
Prerequisite(s): ENGLISH 10
Credit: 1
This course includes an analysis of selected works of American literature through a survey of the major literary periods and authors. A major focus of this course is the evaluation and application of literary terms. Instruction reinforces mastery of the rules of mechanics, usage, and elements of sentence structure in order to increase effectiveness in speaking and writing. Refining research skills and incorporating a variety of writing assignments are essential components of this course. The skills that are tested on the SOLs are emphasized in the course. The Standards of Learning (SOL) English/Writing and Reading Test will be administered during this course. English 11 may be scheduled for a full year (1 elective credit and 1 English credit) based on previous grades and SOL scores.
ENGLISH 11 HONORS
GRADE: 11
Prerequisite(s): “A” OR “B” AVERAGE IN ENGLISH 10 AND TEACHER RECOMMENDATION
Credit: 1
This course includes an advanced analysis of selected works of American literature through a survey of the major literary periods and authors. A primary focus of this course is the application, examination, and evaluation of literary devices. Prevalent themes and characterizations present in American literature, which are reflective of history and culture, will be examined. Instruction reinforces mastery of the rules of mechanics, usage, and elements of sentence structure in order to increase effectiveness in speaking and writing. The various facets of writing will be developed and examined through persuasion and expository methods. Development of informative and persuasive writings by locating, evaluating, synthesizing, and documenting information following ethical and legal guidelines is required. Refining research skills and incorporating a variety of writing assignments are essential components of this course. The skills that are tested on the SOLs are emphasized in the course. The Standards of Learning (SOL) English/Writing and Reading Test will be administered during this course. This program is dependent upon enrollment and faculty availability.
BASIC ENGLISH 12
GRADES: 11-12
Prerequisite(s): ENGLISH 11
Credit: 1 Elective
This course is for 12th grade students who did not successfully pass the 11th grade English Standards of Learning (SOL) tests. Emphasis will include research-based reading and writing strategies designed to assist students in passing the state-mandated SOL tests. The Standards of Learning (SOL) English/Writing and Reading Test will be administered during this course.
ENGLISH 12
GRADE: 12
Prerequisite(s): ENGLISH 11
Credit: 1
This course emphasizes essential oral and written communication skills necessary to be a wise consumer and to compete in today’s job market. The course includes the study of selected works from British literature and related business literature. Completion of the course requires the successful preparation of a research paper.
ENGLISH 12 HONORS
GRADE: 12
Prerequisite(s): “A” OR “B” AVERAGE IN ENGLISH 11 AND TEACHER RECOMMENDATION
Credit: 1
This course includes an advanced analysis of selected works of British literature through a survey of the major literary periods and authors recognizing significant literary forms and their elements. General and specialized vocabulary will be expanded through speaking, listening, and reading. Nonfiction texts will be used to analyze and synthesize information to solve problems. Writing will include the production of informational, expository, and persuasive/argumentative papers, logically organized demonstrating knowledgeable judgments and effective conclusions. A well documented major research product will be produced by locating, evaluating, synthesizing, and documenting information following ethical and legal guidelines. Advanced knowledge of grammatical conventions will be demonstrated through writing, editing, and speaking. Refining research skills and incorporating a variety of writing assignments are essential components of this course. This program is dependent upon enrollment and faculty availability.
ENGLISH 111/112-COLLEGE COMPOSITION I/II
GRADES: 11-12
Prerequisite(s): PASSED THE APPROPRIATE PLACEMENT TESTS
Credit: 1 , DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES – 6 college credit hours
ENG 111 prepares students to write in academic and professional contexts. Students will apply the writing process to generate ideas, organize their thoughts, draft texts in various genres and modes (e.g. digital and print), and revise, proofread, and edit to improve writing. Students will produce texts that reflect critical thinking and knowledge of active reading and rhetorical situations. Students will develop information literacy, learning to use traditional and digital technologies to conduct introductory research. Students will produce multiple texts, totaling at least 4500 words (15 pages typed). Major topics to include: writing processes, rhetorical knowledge, active reading and critical thinking, inquiry and information literacy in a digital age, knowledge of discourse conventions. ENG 112 further develops students' ability to write for academic and professional contexts with increased emphasis on argumentation and research. The course requires students to evaluate, integrate, and document print and digital sources to produce a range of academic and multimodal texts, culminating in a fully documented research paper in MLA format. Major topics to include: writing processes, rhetorical knowledge and application, critical thinking and argumentation, research and information literacy, and knowledge of discourse conventions. This program is dependent upon enrollment and faculty availability.
ENGLISH 245/258-SURVEY OF BRITISH LIT, AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERATURE
GRADE: 12
Prerequisite(s): ENGLISH 111 & 112 WITH A “C” AVERAGE OR BETTER
Credit: 1, DUAL ENROLLMENT COURSES – 6 college credit hours
ENG 245 examines British literary traditions and texts from diverse time periods, genres, and authors. Students will develop critical thinking and interpretive skills through close reading, discussion, and analysis of literary texts in their historical, cultural, social, and/or literary contexts. Major topics to include: literacy traditions, inquiry, historical and social contexts, close reading and literary analysis, and writing literary analysis papers using APA format. ENG 258 introduces students to the rich history of African American literary traditions by exploring the stories by African American authors to tell about themselves, their communities, and the world. Students will examine common and diverging themes within African American literary traditions through the study of diverse authors, genres, and literary movements from a variety of time periods. The course emphasizes interpretive and critical analysis skills developed through close reading and consideration of historical and cultural contexts. Major topics will include: literary traditions, inquiry through the Humanities, texts and contexts, close reading and literary analysis, and writing literary analysis papers using APA format. This program is dependent upon enrollment and faculty availability.