English (Language & Literature)

English 9 I & II (9)

1452/1453 

This course emphasizes reading, writing, literary analysis, vocabulary development, and critical thinking skills in the context of literature. Writing instruction focuses on teaching students to compose well-organized paragraphs and essays that contain substantial details including textual evidence based on close reading. Through literature, students reflect on who they are as individuals and how they interact as members of a community. In addition, students will become more comfortable and confident working individually and collaboratively within the classroom setting. Throughout the course students not only engage with new literary content but also grow as learners who foster transferable skills.

Honors English 9 I & II  (9)

1850/1851 

This course emphasizes reading, writing, literary analysis, vocabulary development, and critical thinking skills in the context of literature. Students engage in class discussions, write literary analysis and critical responses, and give oral presentations that demonstrate an understanding of literary elements and themes in text. Through a variety of challenging texts, projects, discussions, students will reflect on who they are as individuals and how they interact as members of a global community. In addition, students will become more comfortable and confident working individually and collaboratively within the classroom setting. Throughout the course students not only engage with new literary content but also grow as learners who foster transferable skills. 

English 10 I & II (10)

1702/1703

Students build upon the skills gained in ninth grade English during this yearlong course. Reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills are applied to literature from various genres through a lens of equity. The books chosen for students reflect the school’s diversity and allow for rigorous instruction while students are also invited to choose an independent selection to read during second semester. Students will also demonstrate a growing command of their writing and speaking skills as they create creative and literary compositions, as well as an argumentative piece informed by research. The curriculum is geared towards honing reading skills necessary for the MCA in reading, administered in the spring. 

Honors English 10 I & II (10)
1852/1853

This course prepares students for the English 11 Literature course. The literature covered emphasizes both a worldview and an American perspective. Also emphasized are various philosophies of thought, cultural perspectives, and historical influences. Students engage in class discussions, write literary analysis and critical essays, and give oral presentations that demonstrate an in-depth understanding of literary devices and themes. Students also learn how to create fully developed thesis statements that are adequately backed by textual evidence and personal interpretations. 

English 11 I & II (Language and Literature) (11)

1807/1808

In this course, students study a wide range of literary and non-literary texts in a variety of media. By examining communication across literary form and text types, students investigate the nature of language itself and the ways in which it shapes and is influenced by identity and culture. Approaches to study in the course are meant to be wide ranging and can include literary theory, sociolinguistics, media studies and critical discourse analysis among others. Students study text types such as plays, graphic novels, documentaries, speeches and advertisements as well as novels, plays, and poetry.

AP English: Language & Composition I & II (11)
1844/1845

Students will complete a number of challenging, multi-draft compositions as well as working toward mastery of Rhetorical Devices, Patterns of Development and syntax and diction. Students will practice skills in order to successfully take the AP Language and Composition exam in May.  This class is intended for students who are strong readers and writers and want to challenge themselves in the area of writing. 

College Composition I & II (11)

1110/1111

In this course, students focus on literary texts, using a variety of methods to critically analyze literature, write about it, and discuss its relevance to current and past global issues.  Students will explore different writing across styles, genres, and time periods with focus on literary analysis.  Each unit includes both independent reading and writing. Students study texts ranging from poetry to traditional fiction to graphic novels, each from various parts of the world.

IB English 12 SL I & II (Language and Literature) (12)

1809/1810

This course aims to develop skills of textual analysis and the understanding that texts, both literary and non-literary, can relate to culturally determined reading practices, as well as to encourage students to question the meaning generated by language and texts. An understanding of the ways in which formal elements are used to create meaning in a text is combined with an exploration of how that meaning is affected by reading practices that are culturally defined and by the circumstances of production and reception. Students focus closely on the language of studied texts and become aware of the role of wider context in shaping meaning. The study of literature in translation from other cultures is especially important because it contributes to a global perspective. Texts are chosen from a variety of sources, genres and media. 

This IB course gives students the opportunity to earn potential college credit via internal and external IB assessments. 

IB English 12 HL2 I & II (Literature) (12)

1856/1857

IB Diploma Students are required to register for this course.

IB English HL Year 2 focuses on literary analysis through the inquiry process as well as focused, guided literary analysis in a Modern Classroom format. This course continues the sequence of intensive literary study started in IB English Literature HL1 and prepares students for the Higher Level IB assessment components not previously completed. The assessment components are externally assessed and include: the Higher Level essay of 1200 - 1500 words, and the two timed exams: Paper 1 Exam (Guided Literary Analysis), and Paper 2 Exam (Comparative Essay on 2 literary works) taken in May. This IB course gives students the opportunity to earn potential college credit via internal and external IB assessments. 

CIS1001W Intro to Literature (12)

1001/1002

This year-long course earns students concurrent credits, including 4 college credits from the University of Minnesota: Twin Cities. It is a writing-intensive course that also meets the Literature Core requirement. From epic battles against monsters in legendary kingdoms to stories about characters in worlds similar to our own, literature engages us with the diverse perspectives and experiences that make up our communities and world. ENGL 1001W introduces students to ways of understanding and appreciating literature in English across cultures and historical periods. Throughout this course, we will develop skills to help us understand literature, especially the ability to read language closely (a skill valuable in many disciplines beyond literature). We will explore how writers use language and literary aspects, such as genre, voice, tone, symbol, motif, theme, imagery, narrative, and form. We also will learn how to write about literature, sharing our interpretations of how and why literary works have meaning for ourselves and others, while viewing them through critical cultural lenses, including ways to understand how gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and class can function in literary texts. 

AP Seminar I & II (11-12)
1848/1849

Students will examine real-world issues from a variety of perspectives to reveal the complexity that exists beyond pro/con arguments. Students will learn to synthesize information from multiple sources - including from academic journals - and learn to develop and support their own unique opinion in both a written and presented argument. The six AP Seminar Exam Tasks begin during the school year. Students will search, read, write, and present both as a team and individually culminating with the seated exam in May. AP Seminar follows the QUEST process of Questioning, Understanding, Exploring, Synthesizing, and Team/Transform/Transmitting. 

Students pursuing the AP Capstone Diploma must take this class in 11th grade.

IB Theory of Knowledge (TOK) I & II (12)

1858/1859 

This course, which is required for the IB Diploma, examines the origins and the validity of various forms of knowledge. Emphasis is placed on the student as “knower”. Through a process of inquiry and reflection, students unify what they have learned in previous IB courses by comparing and contrasting knowledge claims across disciplines. TOK is an interdisciplinary course that stimulates critical reflection upon the knowledge and experience gained inside and outside the classroom and challenges students to question the basis of knowledge, to be aware of subjective and ideological biases, and to develop a personal mode of thought based on analysis of evidence expressed in rational argument. Coursework includes an extended essay and CAS program deadlines (Diploma candidates only); a 1600 word TOK essay; a 10-minute TOK oral presentation; CAS program deadlines; and assorted homework assignments, essays, projects, reports, discussions, quizzes, tests, and finals. 

TOK is open to any student. Students do not need to be an IB Diploma Candidate to take this class. Also, students who are not diploma candidates do not need to complete an extended essay or CAS. 

School Newspaper/Journalism 1 (9-12)

1706 

In this course students work on Cooper’s award-winning monthly newspaper “The Quill”. Students should be solid writers who are interested in improving and refining their writing skills, especially as they pertain to journalistic style. During class, students may write stories for the news, feature, opinion, arts and sports sections of the paper. Students also engage in the production of the school newspaper, including photography, illustration, layout, design, distribution and advertising. Also considered in the class are the importance of the audience, the history of newspaper production and the impact of media on our society. 

School Newspaper/Journalism 2 (9-12)

1707

Prerequisite: Journalism 1 is suggested but not required.

This course allows students to continue to work on the production of Cooper’s award-winning monthly newspaper “The Quill”. Students taking this class should be solid writers who are interested in improving and refining their writing skills, especially as they pertain to journalistic style. During class, students may write stories for the news, feature, opinion, arts and sports sections of the paper. Students also engage in the production of the school newspaper, including photography, illustration, layout, design, distribution, and advertising. In addition, students are directly responsible for the editorial decisions that guide the paper, fill leadership positions on the paper, and help mentor the new staff members. 

Yearbook I & II (12)

1708/1709

These courses are designed to develop students’ skills in journalism by providing experience in many aspects of yearbook production. Students learn basic principles of yearbook production and develop skills that include writing copy, interviewing, captions and headlines, digital photography, graphic design, advertising and sales. Yearbook supports students’ development as writers, photographers, editors, independent users of technology and as the responsible, contributing members of the Cooper community. Students produce all aspects of the Cooper Talons Yearbook. The ability to work independently, cooperate and collaborate, and meet deadlines is essential.

Creative Writing (11-12)

1705 

Creative writing is designed for students who enjoy pushing their creative and artistic talents to the limit. Students taking this course should enjoy writing and be interested in learning and practicing writing in various modes and styles. This course focuses on the joy of self-expression through writing, and improving one’s writing through peer review and revision. Students will compose prose and poetry of various lengths and styles. In addition, students assist in the production of the school literary magazine, “The Roundelay,” by publishing original writing and artwork. 

Click here to view The Roundelay Magazine! 

Film Study (11-12)
1752

Students will study film as a means of mass communication, a source of information, a form of entertainment, a vehicle for persuasion, and a venue for artistic expression. Students will analyze and critique the content and context of films through class discussion, personal response assignments, in-class essays, and outside-of-class projects. Students will focus on the nature of film genres and the way that film shapes, and is shaped by, historical, political, social, artistic and economic forces. Students will be asked to view additional films outside of the classroom setting and respond to those films through writing. 

CIS Topics in Cinema (11-12)
9301

Prerequisite: Students are automatically eligible to take this course for college credit if they have a cumulative GPA of 2.6 or greater. However, students below a 2.4 GPA can also take the course for college credit by getting prior approval from the teacher or the counselor.

This course provides an opportunity to study in depth a variety of Cinema topics. Possible topics include studies of directors, genres, national cinemas; Different cinematic perspectives (gender, race, ethnicity, history, literature, theatre, art and music)