ENGLISH

Course Offerings Sheet

13330 ADVANCED WRITING

GRADE: 11 (prior approval), 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE


Using the writing process, students will explore different types of writing within narrative, expository, and persuasive modes. As the course progresses from expository to persuasive, students will be introduced to effective research skills and techniques as well as skills in logic and persuasion. An extensive focus will be on research and college preparatory writing. Motivated students who can meet deadlines are encouraged to enroll.

13761 *^AMERICAN LITERATURE 1

GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | FALL SEMESTER | ELECTIVE

COLLEGE CREDIT: 3 DMACC Credits - LIT 110

COURSE PREP RECOMMENDATION: 1.) The student has a cumulative G.P.A of 3.20 or above or 2.) The student has a 3.20 G.P.A. or above in previous related course work.

PREREQUISITE: Proficient scores in all content areas of the most recent ISASP assessment.

This course will take the place of the English 11 graduation requirement.

This chronological survey of American literature covers major and minor works of fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry from the Puritan era to 1865. The novel The Scarlet Letter will be studied. The curriculum demands writing literary analysis papers originating from works studied, and involves study of literary theory. There is weekly vocabulary work. Motivated, self-directed students who feel they would like to take a more active role in their learning and are capable of an additional challenge are encouraged to enroll. The course will cover more material more quickly than English 11.

College Credit Transfer Details: The high school offers college credit courses for students but remember, it is the students’ responsibility to request transcripts to be sent to their college of choice for transfer of credits. There is a form in the guidance office to assist you with this process. Important note: your GPA received in these courses MAY affect your college GPA. This will depend on which college you attend. Transcript Release Form

13762 *^AMERICAN LITERATURE 2

GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SPRING SEMESTER | ELECTIVE

COLLEGE CREDIT: 3 DMACC Credits - LIT 111

COURSE PREP RECOMMENDATION: 1.) The student has a cumulative G.P.A of 3.20 or above or 2.) The student has a 3.20 G.P.A. or above in previous related course work.

PREREQUISITE: Proficient scores in all content areas of the most recent ISASP assessment.

This course will take the place of the English 11 graduation requirement.

This chronological survey of American literature covers major and minor works of fiction, non-fiction, drama and poetry from 1865 through the late 1900's. The novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an option for study. The Great Gatsby and The Old Man and the Sea will be read by the entire class. The curriculum demands writing literary analysis papers originating from works studied, and involves study of literary theory. There is weekly vocabulary work. The semester includes a multi-genre project. Motivated, self-directed students who feel they would like to take a more active role in their learning and are capable of an additional challenge are encouraged to enroll. The course will cover more material more quickly than English 11.

College Credit Transfer Details: The high school offers college credit courses for students but remember, it is the students’ responsibility to request transcripts to be sent to their college of choice for transfer of credits. There is a form in the guidance office to assist you with this process. Important note: your GPA received in these courses MAY affect your college GPA. This will depend on which college you attend. Transcript Release Form

13770 ^COMMUNICATION SKILLS

GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE

COLLEGE CREDIT: 3 DMACC Credits - COM 703

PREREQUISITE: Proficient scores in all content areas of the most recent ISASP assessment.


This course is designed for the student who wishes to be better prepared for the world of work by improving thinking, speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. In addition to improving job communication skills, the course will help prepare the student for the process of applying for a job. Examples of specific skills learned are: resume writing, small group communication, business letter writing, oral presentations, and mock interviews. Communication Skills and Oral Communication courses are in parallel tracks at DMACC. Students who opt to take both courses may note overlap of material.

College Credit Transfer Details: The high school offers college credit courses for students but remember, it is the students’ responsibility to request transcripts to be sent to their college of choice for transfer of credits. There is a form in the guidance office to assist you with this process. Important note: your GPA received in these courses MAY affect your college GPA. This will depend on which college you attend. Transcript Release Form

13340 CREATIVE WRITING

GRADE: 11 (prior approval), 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE


Creative Writing introduces students to the fundamentals of writing creative poetry and prose writing. Students will read and analyze published model texts in multiple genres. Genres explored include: short story, poetry,, spoken word, graphic novel, flash fiction, and. Students learn creative processes through writing exercises, workshops and conferences. Students will edit, workshop, and share their creative work in small and large group settings.

11330 DRAMA

GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE

Students enrolled in this one semester English elective will study multiple aspects of Drama. Performance units will include mime, improvisation, acting and interpretation. Plays studied will include Oedipus, Oklahoma, Trifles, A Marriage Proposal, Much Ado About Nothing, West Side Story and more. Students will also study various periods of Western theatre history, makeup and technical theater Course grades will be based on daily work, tests, projects and performance.

11311 & 11312 DIGITAL MEDIA

GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | ELECTIVE

Students in the class will be responsible for publishing the student website, pelladium.com and the student newspaper, the Pelladium. Students will hone reporting and researching skills in order to tell stories through photography, video, podcasts, social media, and/or traditional articles. Students will become proficient in digital photography and will learn basic photography and image editing principals. Students do not have to take Intro. to Journalism in order to enroll in the class. They may enroll with teacher permission.

11001 & 11002 ENGLISH 9

GRADE: 9 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | REQUIRED

English 9 is the required freshman level English course. The course includes developing reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, and vocabulary skills. Major works, including The House on Mango Street, Romeo and Juliet, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Odyssey, are studied, along with various short stories and nonfiction works.

11011 & 11012 ENGLISH 9 HONORS

GRADE: 9 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | ELECTIVE

HONORS COURSE: Enrichment course

PREREQUISITE: 1.) The student has a cumulative G.P.A of 3.20 or above, or 2.) The student has a 3.20 G.P.A. or above in previous related course work. Exceptions to this prerequisite can be made via a written application process. Applications can be obtained at the Student Services Center.

Motivated, self-directed students who feel they would like to take a more active role in their learning and who feel they are capable of additional challenges in the area of English are encouraged to enroll. Students choosing to complete this coursework should have had high levels of success in their previous English courses and should possess strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, as well as a positive attitude toward challenges they face in English. The course builds upon skills in reading, writing, speaking, listening, viewing, grammar, and vocabulary skills. Literature in the curriculum includes: Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird, Romeo and Juliet, House on Mango Street, The Odyssey, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry.

12001 & 12002 ENGLISH 10

GRADE: 10 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | REQUIRED

English 10 is the required sophomore level English course. A year in length, the course includes developing speaking, writing, grammar, vocabulary, and listening skills. The course includes the study of Fahrenheit 451, Night, MacBeth and a variety of literary works, including the short story, drama, poetry and nonfiction.

12011 & 12012 ENGLISH 10 HONORS

GRADE: 10 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | ELECTIVE

HONORS COURSE: Enrichment course

PREREQUISITE:
 1.)
 The
 student
 has 
a 
cumulative
 GPA
 of
 3.20
 or
 above,
 or
 2.)
 The 
student
 has 
a 
3.20 
GPA
 or
 above 
in 
previous 
related 
course
 work. 

Exceptions
 to
 this 
prerequisite
 can
 be 
made 
via 
a
 written 
application
 process.

 Applications
 can
 be 
obtained
 at
 the 
Student Services Center.


The 
English 
10 
Honors 
course 
is suggested for motivated, self-directed students who are capable of additional challenges in the area of English. Students 
choosing
 to 
enroll 
in 
this 
course 
should 
have
 had 
high 
levels of success
 in 
their previous 
English courses 
and should possess strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, as well as a positive attitude toward challenges they face in English. Course work is focused on building reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. Literature studied includes Fahrenheit 451, Macbeth, Night, and various poems, short stories, and nonfiction works. Writing assignments will include literary analysis, argument, research, and narrative forms.

13001 & 13002 ENGLISH 11

GRADE: 11 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | REQUIRED


This 
chronological 
survey
 of 
American 
literature 
covers 
major 
works 
of 
fiction,
 non‐fiction, drama, and 
poetry
 from
 the
 Puritan
 era 
to 
Twentieth‐Century 
Literature.
 Discussion
 will 
focus
 on 
writing 
trends
 and
 societal 
influence 
on 
those 
writing 
trends. 
The
 curriculum 
includes
 literature‐based 
writing 
assignments 
originating 
from
 works 
studied. 
 Writing 
assignments
 will 
also 
include 
the
 study 
of
 persuasive 
writing 
and 
literary
 analysis.

 In
 addition, 
students 
will 
work
 to
 develop 
vocabulary
 skills. 
Assessments include writing assignments, discussions, quizzes, tests, literary analysis papers, and projects.

11300 INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM

GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE


Introduction to Journalism is open to all students interested in learning basic writing and editing techniques as they apply to publishing. The class emphasizes several writing disciplines as a foundation for scholastic journalism. Development of basic journalism writing skills includes, but is not limited to, news writing, editorial, and feature writing. Other areas to be covered in the semester-long class include: interviewing techniques, desktop publishing skills, photography skills, and the professional press.

••Students who have an interest in journalism should feel free to enroll in this class, even if they do not think they wish to participate as a staff member of the Pelladium, pelladium.com or Duchess in the future.

13350 NONFICTION

GRADE: 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE


Students 
will 
think about, analyze, and produce nonfiction texts in various forms. Students will begin the semester by looking at the value of nonfiction storytelling. Next, student’s will examine the power of rhetoric and effective argument. Students will explore the importance of reliable sources and the danger of bias. Finally, students will put into practice their natural curiosity and experiment with using it and nonfiction texts to drive their own learning, practicing a model that can lead to lifelong learning.

13780 *^ORAL COMMUNICATION

GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE

COLLEGE CREDIT: 3 DMACC Credits - SPC 101

COURSE PREP RECOMMENDATION: 1.) The student has a cumulative G.P.A of 3.20 or above, or 2.) The student has a 3.20 G.P.A. or above in previous related course work.

PREREQUISITE: Proficient scores in all content areas of the most recent ISASP assessment.


This course includes studying a collegiate level text on human communication. Much of the time in class, however, will be devoted to public speaking: expository speeches, demonstration speeches , persuasive speeches and other presentations ranging from debate to oral interpretation. The main objective is improving communication and organization skills to become a competent extemporaneous communicator.

Communication Skills and Oral Communication courses are in parallel tracks at DMACC. Students who opt to take both courses may note overlap of material.

College Credit Transfer Details: The high school offers college credit courses for students but remember, it is the students’ responsibility to request transcripts to be sent to their college of choice for the transfer of credits. There is a form in the guidance office to assist you with this process. Important note: your GPA received in these courses MAY affect your college GPA. This will depend on which college you attend. Transcript Release Form

11340 SPEECH

GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 1 | SEMESTER | ELECTIVE

The emphasis of Speech is becoming a more effective communicator. The course covers the fundamentals of speech making. Students write and give multiple speeches throughout the semester, including speeches of introduction, demonstration speeches, informative speeches, impromptu speeches, special occasion speeches, review, and persuasive speeches. The course covers some of the basics of human communication including nonverbal communication, listening theory, and interpersonal communication.

11321 & 11322 YEARBOOK

GRADE: 9, 10, 11, 12 | SCORE: Non-Weighted | PHS CREDIT: 2 | YEAR | ELECTIVE


Students in the class will be responsible for publishing the student yearbook, the Duchess. Students will develop photography, reporting, writing, researching, layout and design skills and become familiar with the general organization of a school yearbook. Students will have the opportunity to take photos at school events and improve their photo composition and image editing skills.