001 English 9 

1 UNIT 

This is a required Common Core course for all high school students. The students will study a variety of genres which will provide them with the framework necessary to successfully complete the Common Core ELA Regents Exam in grade 11. Reading, writing, listening and speaking for analysis and comprehension will be the focus of this course. Students are expected to complete projects and research related to literature studies and classroom instruction.

003 English 9 Honors 

1 UNIT 

This reading and writing intensive Common Core course serves as the foundation for the Advanced Placement Language and Literature Composition courses. Students will be expected to analyze literature, recognize use of rhetorical strategies, and develop a mature voice in writing in preparation for AP exams and the Common Core ELA Regents exam. Students who take this course must be prepared to work at an advanced level and be mature enough to handle a rigorous academic experience. It is expected that students will continue in the honors/AP program throughout high school. Placement for this course is based upon the referral of a teacher/school counselor.

019 English 10 

1 UNIT 

This is a Common Core course required for all high school students. An analysis of literature will be conducted providing students with an opportunity to build on those skills acquired in grade nine. The course is designed to prepare students to meet the demands of the Common Core ELA Regents Exam in grade 11. Critical reading and writing skills are emphasized.

016 English 10 Honors 

1 UNIT 

PREREQUISITE: STUDENTS MUST HAVE AN 85+ TO QUALIFY FOR THIS COURSE AND/OR TEACHER RECOMMENDATION

This Common Core course is designed for 10th grade students formerly enrolled in the English 9 Honors course, who anticipate enrolling in advanced placement courses in grades 11 and 12. It is a challenging course aimed at preparing students to meet the rigorous demands of college level courses. Since the focus of the course will be the reading and analysis of literature and the writing process, those students who are both strong readers and writers are encouraged to enroll. Students will be expected to complete numerous writing assignments of varying lengths as well as both long term and independent projects. Students will take the Common Core ELA Regents exam at the end of the year. Enrollment in this course is limited to those students who meet the prerequisites.

052 Contemporary Connections 

GRADES 10-12 1/2 UNIT 

Are you interested in reading about teenagers and learning more about yourself? This Common Core course is designed for the student who wants to examine the conflicts young people face growing up in today’s diverse society. Through reading and writing, you will make connections to contemporary fictional and non-fictional characters, and you will be required to analyze their actions and motivations. You will also be expected to openly share your ideas and opinions based on your own experiences. In order to be successful in this course, class participation is mandatory. In addition, a research project using advanced research skills is required.

055 Call of the Wild 

GRADES 10-12 1/2 UNIT 

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to climb the world’s highest peak or descend into a desert canyon? Are you concerned about the global climate and the future of our planet? This Common Core course is designed to improve and broaden your non-fiction reading and writing skills. Students will read several exciting accounts of real-life adventures, while maintaining a clear focus on how humans impact the environment. Students interested in this course should have good attendance, a strong interest in reading outside of class, and research writing proficiency.

034 Science Fiction in the Age of Dystopia 

GRADES 10-12 1/2 UNIT 

If the planet Earth came to an end, and we could restart human life on a different planet, what kinds of borders/ boundaries would we be crossing? What would citizenship look like? Who or what could belong in the New World? How would this world be shaped as our engrained human values are confronted by a new way of life? This Common Core elective will delve into the dystopian realm through literature, discovering the dramatic changes due to our ever-evolving society afflicted by environmental disasters, plagues, and other technological advancements that change our world forever. In this course, this topic will be explored through reading, writing, and researching the world of dystopia.

058 Death as a Force in Life and Literature 

GRADES 10-12 1/2 UNIT 

While this course has death as its main theme, it is explored with a focus on life and living with the knowledge of death.  We will attempt to understand the concepts related to death from a historical and cultural perspective by examining how death is personified throughout history in our literature, art, poetry, and music.  Students will read a variety of texts and models for comparative inquiries into cultural views of death.  Students who take this course should enjoy reading outside of class and be willing to be an active and interested member of class discussions and group research activities.

035 Sports in Literature 

GRADES 10-12 1/2 UNIT 

For centuries, sports have shaped the core values of human culture. As they have evolved over the years, becoming an essential part of the western civilization, people have allowed these experiences to shape who they are. In recent years, the world of sports has taught lessons of determination, commitment, and perseverance, meanwhile creating a true passion for something bigger than oneself that cannot be replicated by any other venture. In this Common Core elective, students will dive into the world of sports through reading, writing and researching the various modern topics and issues our society faces today.

AENG 106 Introduction to Literature and Film (University at Albany)

GRADES 11-12 1/2 UNIT 3 UHS Credits

PREREQUISITE: STUDENTS MUST HAVE AN 85+ IN PREVIOUS ENGLISH COURSE TO QUALIFY FOR THIS COURSE AND/OR TEACHER RECOMMENDATION

Why do the best movies start as written stories? This is a question we’ll explore during our semester together. By the end of our semester, you should be well-versed on many aspects of filmmaking, film history, and film analysis. We will explore many elements of creating a movie, from the principles of film form, to types of movies, elements of narrative, mise-en-scene, cinematography, acting, editing, sound, and film history. We will read a number of short stories, novels, and screenplays before analyzing their adaptation to the big screen. Your attendance in the course is mandatory, as skills learned early in the course will benefit you later in the course. This course is run as a college seminar and therefore places a premium on preparation and participation. Our learning community requires consistent attendance and engagement.  Expect to immerse yourself in the world of film and filmmaking, with the end-goal of becoming an expert at looking at movies.

025 English 11 

1 UNIT 

This is a literature course covering a number of literary genres. The Common Core course focuses on the development of skills in the areas of vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, literary analysis, and critical writing. Emphasis will be placed on skills necessary for success on the Common Core ELA Regents exam given at the end of the school year. A research project, as well as the study of a Shakespearean play, will be required.

057 AP English: Language and Composition 

GRADE 11-12 1 UNIT 

PREREQUISITE: STUDENTS MUST HAVE AN 85+ TO QUALIFY FOR THIS COURSE AND/OR TEACHER RECOMMENDATION

This course concentrates on the reading and analysis of a variety of discursive prose and the study of the process of writing. Students will study the language of fiction and nonfiction from various fields and periods that will serve as models of effective styles. This course offers a variety of writing assignments calling for the use of different styles or tones. Through such study and practice, students will gain an understanding of the principles of effective writing and become effective writers themselves. The course prepares students for the AP College Board Examination which they are expected to take in May. Students who take the course should enjoy reading and writing, and should be prepared to analyze the different works examined in class.

056 AP English: Literature and Composition 

GRADE 11-12 1 UNIT 

PREREQUISITE: STUDENTS MUST HAVE AN 85+ TO QUALIFY FOR THIS COURSE AND/OR TEACHER RECOMMENDATION

Through the examination of the elements that constitute a particular genre, this course will explore how these devices can and are manipulated to produce various forms within the genre, as well as investigate the similarities and differences between the genres. To achieve this goal, students will intensively study a few representative works from several genres and time periods, concentrating on works of literary merit. It is an intensive reading course where students can expect to write critically about different genres including narratives, poetry, drama and fiction. Students who take the course should enjoy reading and writing. The course prepares students for the AP College Board Examination which they are required to take in May.

030 English 12 

GRADE 12 ONLY 1/2 UNIT 

This Common Core course is required for all high school seniors who are not taking a full-year UHS or an AP pathway. Students will benefit from an in-depth review of those skills presented in grades 9-11 with an emphasis on using more sophisticated language in speaking and writing. Students will create resumes and compose personal narratives, college essays and cover letters. Students will also practice interview techniques and gain other reading and writing skills essential to success after high school. This is a first semester course only.