English

American Literature (English 11)

Grades: 11 Length/Credits: Full Year (1.0 credit)

In this course, composition assignments are integrated with the study of important works of American literature such as The Great Gatsby, Their Eyes Were Watching God, The Things They Carried, and Catch-22. Supplementary readings include nonfiction essays, short stories by American authors, American poets from the 18th century to the present, and at least one modern play such as Fences. Students gain an understanding of literary forms, dominant philosophies, and historical background. Writing instruction focuses on the expository essay – narrative, comparison/contrast, literary analysis, and descriptive. Students will prepare for the college application process; ACT writing preparation; and writing a college application essay.

British/World Literature (English 12)

Grades: 12 Length/Credits: Full Year (1.0 credit)

British Literature studies a variety of primarily British works while encouraging students to think deeply and critically. Basic and finer points of both persuasive and expository literary analysis are developed and demonstrated in essays, and a literary research paper. Students can expect to study Chaucer, Shakespeare, the Brontës; and modern authors such as Kazuo Ishigiro and Zadie Smith. World Literature introduces literary works from different countries, all written in the 20th and 21st centuries. The objective of this course is the study and consideration of the literary, cultural, and human significance of selected great works from non-Western literary traditions.

CIS Writing Studio (WRIT 1201)

Grades: 11-12 Length/Credits: Full Year (1.0 credit) Prerequisites: B or above in English 10 or Teacher Approval

WRIT 1201 introduces students to general writing strategies encountered at the college level. Through frequent practice and feedback, students learn to see writing as a tool for learning and a vehicle for the expression of ideas and informed views. Students also learn a working vocabulary for discussing writing. Typical assignments include informal writing derived from personal experience, response to readings, analysis and evaluation of sources on the web and in print, and formal papers that increasingly make use of sources as well as close reading of texts. The course emphasizes the active practice of writing, from gathering ideas for a paper, through the drafting of papers, to careful editing. Students also participate in a Field Day hosted by the University of Minnesota. 

AP English Language and Composition

Grades: 11-12 Length/Credits: Full Year (1.0 credit)

AP English Language and Composition is an introductory college-level composition course. Students cultivate their understanding of writing and rhetorical arguments through reading, analyzing, and writing texts as they explore topics like rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style.

Film Studies and Media Literacy *New*

Grades: 9-12 Length/Credits: One Semester (0.5 credits)

In this course, students will study different techniques used in creating films, and understand how these techniques shape our perceptions and understandings of the media we consume. 

Genre Study: Horror, Fantasy & Sci-Fi *New*

Grades: 9-12 Length/Credits: One Semester (0.5 credits)

In this course, students will read and analyze different techniques used in horror, fantasy, and science fiction stories. We will build in analysis of different mediums (through written, audio, visual texts, podcasts, films) as well as the historical context for these genres.

Literacy courses are designed to help students build their literacy skills outside of their traditional English classes. These courses will cover a variety of topics involving reading and writing. Students must take one literacy course per year. The purpose of literacy courses is to deliver literacy instruction, provide valuable skills practice, and motivate students to develop confidence and fluency in reading and writing. These courses will:

• Build essential literacy skills for college and career readiness. 

• Develop literacy practices and habits of mind. 

• Apply literacy to real-world problems. 

• Show students that they can attain academic success in English and writing.

Creative Writing Workshop

Grades: 6-8 Length: One Semester

Do you like to write? This class focuses on producing writing by collaborating with peers through ongoing sharing, feedback, reflection, and revision. We will use mentor texts in order to emulate different genres after analyzing the different literary elements and defining features of each example.

Global Mythology and Folklore

Grades: 6-8 Length: One Semester

This course focuses on the many myths and legends woven into cultures around the world. Mythology and folklore have been used since the first people gathered around the fire as a way to make sense of humankind and our world. While following heroes on epic journeys to slay monsters, students will explore the social significance of myths and folklore, and see how they are still used to shape society today. 

Graphic Novels: A Visual Exploration of History

Grades: 6-8 Length: One Semester

This elective looks at important time periods in the U.S. through the lens of historical fiction. Graphic novels have become an engaging and popular genre of literature that combine written words with artwork. Graphic novels will be used in this class to analyze how major historical events are portrayed in fiction. Students will evaluate and interpret how these forms of storytelling enhance our understanding of history. 

Media Studies

Grades: 6-8 Length: One Semester

This elective is designed to introduce and develop media literacy. Media literacy is the ability to question, understand, interpret, analyze, and evaluate the content, intent, strategies, and effects of the mass media. Being media literate means that you control the interpretation of the media instead of it controlling you. Students become aware of principles, myths, and techniques in advertising, social media, news sources, magazines, television, movies and video games.

Our Stories: Exploring Identity Through Literary Nonfiction (Formerly Called: Exploring Personal Identities Through Non-Fiction)

Grades: 8 Length: One Semester

Humans have felt compelled to share their stories throughout time. People write in order to define who we are, express our perceptions, and to record our presence in the world. This class explores how people use the literary nonfiction genres of autobiography, memoir, diaries, letters, oral tradition, and social media to convey both our unique identity and a shared universal human condition. Through reading and writing, we may end up feeling connected with the experiences, thoughts and feelings of people from times and places we have never been.

Political Poetry and Music

Grades: 6-8 Length: One Semester

Political poetry and music is an exploration of revolt/revolutionary poetry and poets that often go overlooked in American history. We explore rebels such as Fredrick Douglas, Langston Hughes, and Audrey Lorde alongside the music of their time (jazz, blues, gospel) all the way up to modern rebel poets who've infused both genres as RAP (Rhythm and Poetry) such as NWA, Public Enemy, Meek Mill, Cardi B, Meg Thee Stallion and so forth. This class is for mature minded young adults who want to explore, dissect and analyze literary and musical art. 

Science Fiction

Grades: 6-8 Length: One Semester

The genre of science fiction explores potential and exciting technological and scientific advancements through literature. Some science fiction has even predicted technology we have today. In this class students will engage in research, analysis, and debate about the possibilities, accuracy, and implications of these futuristic tales.