English

161.1 Introduction to Media Literacy, Advanced College Preparatory, Grades 9-12, Semester, 2.50 credits (NOT RUNNING 26-27)

This course encourages students to think about the role of media in our lives, and how to access and use media as consumers and creators. Class activities include digital games, group projects, and writing about film clips on topics of social media, journalism, bias, and artificial intelligence. The goal is to build students' digital literacy tools to analyze media for content, audience, and purpose. Students must recognize techniques and be critical of bias in all media and techniques in this modern, media-saturated world. Students should feel empowered to use digital resources and tools for high school, college, and career.

162.1 Film Studies, Advanced College Preparatory, Grades 9-12, Semester, 2.50 credits

Explore the art of storytelling through the lens of film in our high school Film Studies course. Students will review different genres including adventure, sports, history, comedy, and Pixar animation. Assessments include class discussions, film screenings, and analytical writing assignments. Students will emerge from this course not only as avid film enthusiasts but also as critical thinkers equipped to appreciate the rich tapestry of storytelling in both literature and films.

166.1/165.1 Speech (Public Speaking), Advanced College Preparatory or Honors, Grades 9-12, Semester, 2.50 Credits 

Speech (Public Speaking) focuses on building a solid foundation in practical, effective public speaking.  The course is designed for students to develop a deeper appreciation for the importance of communication skills in life; to increase self-awareness: to learn specific techniques to make interactions with others more productive, effective and meaningful; and to learn to fully enjoy communicating!

167.1 Creative Writing, Advanced College Preparatory, Grades 9-12, Semester, 2.50 credits

All students will be given the opportunity through a variety of types of writing to develop their voice by exploring various genres of writing including short stories, memoir, poetry, fiction and nonfiction Skills in proofreading, peer editing, and revising are stressed.~ Critical thinking skills will be enhanced through patterns of language usage and reading.  Primary focus will be on developing each student’s creative voice.  This course is interdisciplinary in nature, as students will be asked to tap into themes and topics represented in disciplines other than English, particularly in the area of non-fiction.

168.1 Communication for the Real World, Advanced College Preparatory, Grades 9-12 Semester, 2.50 credits

Communication is more than just speaking; it is the strategic bridge between an idea and an outcome. Communication for the Real World is a high-engagement, action-oriented course designed to transform how students navigate human connection. From the internal dialogues that shape our mindset to the mass media messages that shape society, students will analyze the mechanics of influence across five key domains: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Group, Public, and Mass Communication.

169.1 Journalism, Advanced College Preparatory or Honors, Grades 9-12, Semester, 2.50 credits

This course will provide the student with a comprehensive introduction to the genre of journalism and mass media.  News and the dissemination of information through the mass media are ubiquitous in today’s society.  A background in journalism will provide the student with a valuable means of communication and analysis.  Such diverse topics as ethics, technique, production, mechanics, genre, bias, economics, and audience will be explored in this class. This class also aims to collaborate with the TV and Media arts department and may leverage  local news opportunities.  This class can be taken for honors credit. Honors students will collaborate with the Big Blue News class and will work with the local newspaper, The Swampscott Tides. Honors students will be expected to put in time and effort outside of class, working on real world deadlines.

173.1 Street Poetry: Hip-Hop's Global Impact, Advanced College Preparatory, Grades 9-12, Semester, 2.50 credits

In the 1990s, the rapper Aesop Rock surpassed William Shakespeare in the use of unique vocabulary within his first 35,000 lyrics. This isn't just an anomaly—it’s a testament to the fact that Hip-Hop is the most significant linguistic and cultural movement of the modern era. “Street Poetry” traces the journey of Hip-Hop from its birth in the scorched-earth landscape of the 1970s Bronx to its current status as a multi-billion-dollar global powerhouse. We treat the pioneers not just as performers, but as historians and poets who used turntables and microphones to document a world the mainstream media ignored.