English
English 9 (E100)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: English 9)
Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: None
UC/CSU "B" or "G" requirement
How does an individual explore his/her role in society and how does his/her identity evolve? English 9 emphasizes critical thinking skills, requiring students to draw their own conclusions from what they have gained through their readings and class discussions. The curriculum includes writing, reading, research, grammar, vocabulary, speaking, and listening skills.
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English Honors 9 (E111)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: English 9 H)
Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: None
Meets the UC/CSU "B" or "G" requirement
Honors Grade bump NOT applied
This intensive course is filled with high expectations and focuses on the essential question of how an individual explores his/her role in society and how his/her identity evolves. It emphasizes critical thinking skills, requiring students to draw their own conclusions from what they have gained through their readings and class discussions. The curriculum includes writing, in-depth literary analysis, rigorous reading, independent research, grammar, SAT vocabulary, formal speaking, and listening skills.
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English 10 (E200)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: English 10)
Grade Level: 10-12
Prerequisite: None
Meets the UC/CSU "B" or "G" requirement
This college prep course focuses on using critical thinking and communication skills to address social injustices and helps students identify ways to impact positive change. This course helps students practice and develop writing, reading, speaking, listening, and explores the use of a variety of technologies.
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English 10 Honors (E211)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: English 10 H)
Grade Level: 10-12
Prerequisite: None
Meets the UC/CSU "B" or "G" requirement
Honors Grade bump NOT applied
This intensive college preparatory course covers literature, paragraph and essay writing, the introduction of the research paper, grammar, usage, mechanics, and vocabulary.
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English 11 (E300)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: English 11)
Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite: None
Meets the UC/CSU "B" or "G" requirement
This college preparatory course covers a survey of American literature, analytical writing, usage, vocabulary, oral language skills, and intensive work on the expository prose style in preparation for CAASP and/or SAT exams.
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AP English Language/Composition 11 (E310)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: AP Eng Lang)
Grade Level: 11-12
Prerequisite:None
Meets the UC/CSU "B" or "G" requirement
★ Honors Grade bump applied for grades of 'A', 'B' or 'C'
This intensive honors level college preparatory course covers a survey of American literature, analytical writing, usage, vocabulary, oral language skills, and intensive work on the expository prose style in preparation for AP language exam.
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English12 ERW (E440)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: Eng 12 ERW)
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: None
Meets the UC/CSU "B" or "G" requirement
This course focuses on the essential question of how we construct our identity through our beliefs, values, and interests. The course has a heavy emphasis on the rhetorical thinking, writing, and reading of non-fiction texts that are predominant in post-secondary schools.
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AP English Literature (E412)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: AP Eng Lit/Com)
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: None
Meets the UC/CSU "B" or "G" requirement
★ Honors Grade bump applied for grades of 'A', 'B' or 'C'
This intensive college-level course covers a survey of British and American literature dating back to the 16th century. Labor-intensive and intellectually stimulating, you will explore the human experience, particularly the darker side of this experience. Through writing, reading, and discussion, you will think critically about man's role in literature, and prepare for the AP Literature and Composition Exam.
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English Department Electives
These courses below are English Department Electives. These do not count toward English graduation requirements or English UC/CSU admission requirements but do earn elective credit and where indicated also count toward UC/CSU elective admission requirements.
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New Course Proposals for 2024-2025
British Literature (E450)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: Brit Lit)
Grade Level: 11 - 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 10 or higher
Meets either the UC/CSU "F" or "G" requirement
This college preparatory course covers a survey of British literature from the Medieval to modern era. The class will be a study the development of the literature chronologically, analytical writing, vocabulary, and oral language skills. Through writing, reading, and discussion, students will think critically about the development of language and literature and their place in this development.
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New Course Proposals for 2024-2025
Mythology, Legend, & Folklore (E555)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: Myth Lgnd, Fklore)
Grade Level: 11 - 12
Prerequisite: N/A
Pending approval for UC/CSU "G" requirement
The Mythology, Legend, and Folklore course is designed to introduce students to basic World Mythology, both in context of time period and in literature. From ancient creation myths to contemporary superheroes, the content of this course will enable students to explore how mythology shaped the civilizations of the past and continues to shape society today. Additionally, by examining the structure and cultural contexts of myths, students will be able to strengthen their own identities and connect with their communities.
The major Greek, Roman, and Norse Gods & Goddesses as well as Celtic and Latin American Myths and Legends will all be discussed in conjunction with individual research projects, small group projects, presentations, and films and documentaries. Students will also read contemporary novels that are based on particular myths or Legends.
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Film Studies (E490)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: Film Studies)
Grade Level: 11 - 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of English 10 or higher
Meets either the UC/CSU "F" or "G" requirement
This year long elective course examines: Film Theory and History, Creative Process and Techniques and Organization of production. It teaches the various aspects of movie making with an emphasis on the artistic and/or social messages that are conveyed through the use of cinematic devices. This class requires students to make short films.
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Yearbook Production (E510MV)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: Yearbook Prod)
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Prerequisite: None
Meets the UC/CSU "G" requirement
In this course, students work together as a staff to plan, create, publish, and sell the MVHS yearbook. Incoming students should have strong computer and writing skills, as well as organization and collaboration skills. Students will learn and develop skills in layout and design, photography, journalism, advertising, and publishing. This course is extremely deadline driven. Students must be able to meet deadlines without fail. Students in this class will be expected to spend time outside of class covering yearbook activities.
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Beginning Speech & Debate (E520)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: Beg Speech/Deb)
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Prerequisite: None
Meets the UC/CSU "G" requirement
Speech & Debate students study oral reading as a communication art and will also participate in competitive performance of a literary text. Students will select, research, analyze, adapt, interpret, and perform literary texts such as play scripts, books, songs etc. Individual or group performances of literature will be presented and evaluated. Students also learn debate skills such as interpreting resolutions, case construction, cross-examination, and evaluating arguments and rhetoric. Students learn to analyze specific debate formats, and apply processes of logic and critical thinking. Participation in Speech & Debate competitions on one Saturday per semester (two per term) is required; more opportunities are available.
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Advanced Speech & Debate (E525)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: Adv Speech/Deb)
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Beginning Speech and Debate or Teacher Recommendation
Meets the UC/CSU "G" requirement
★ Honors Grade bump applied for grades of 'A', 'B' or 'C'
The purpose of advanced speech is to give the competitive speech student an opportunity to continue to improve his/her communication skills through the process of in-depth study of the many areas of speech communication. The basic areas of study will be Extemporaneous Speaking, Domestic and International; Interpretation--Humorous, Dramatic Oratorical, Prose/Poetry, Duo Interpretation, Original Oratory; Impromptu, Public Forum Debate, Parliamentary Debate, Lincoln Douglas Debate and Student Congress. This course will consist of some lectures, much discussion, and a great deal of individualized or small group work. Competitive Speech and Debate is designed for the student who is capable of working well on his/her own, while being able to share a great deal with others through the normal class discussions and presentations. Participation in Speech & Debate competitions on one Saturday per semester (two per term) is required; more opportunities are available.
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Journalism (E535)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: Journlsm DigAge)
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Prerequisite: None
Meets the UC/CSU "G" requirement
In this course, students will learn the concepts and skills of reporting and writing while producing content for the MVHS school newspaper Timberwolf Times. Students will examine the relationship of journalism and democracy, as well as practice and develop skills in writing, interviewing, and publishing. Throughout the course, students will be engaged in ongoing discussions about the history of journalism as well as the future of the profession. Students will learn the fundamentals of journalistic communications while also exploring a variety of nonfiction storytelling styles, techniques, and mediums.
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Creative Writing 1 (E550)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: CreativeWriting)
Grade Level: 9 - 12
Prerequisite: None
Meets the UC/CSU "G" requirement
Creative Writing 1 offers students an opportunity to express ourselves with originality, creativity, and clarity in stories, poetry in an open and artistic environment. Students in this course have the opportunity to experience being in a writing community and to experience writing as a tool for intellectual exploration, self-discovery, and creative expression.
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Creative Writing 2 (E551)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: Creative Wrtg 2)
Grade Level: 10 - 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Creative Writing
Meets the UC/CSU "G" requirement
Creative Writing 2 offers returning students the opportunity to further develop personal expression through literary forms while developing their writing experiences. The descriptive paragraph, the short story, and poetry are the major genre emphasis in Creative Writing 2. Classroom activities will include reading Stephen King's "On Writing", design a Poetry Slam, and publication to online literary magazines or a compilation book in conjunction with the Graphic Design II class.
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Creative Writing 3 (E552)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: Creative Wrtg 3)
Grade Level: 11 - 12
Prerequisite: Successful completion of Creative Writing 2
Course does NOT meet the UC/CSU A-g requirement
Creative Writing 3 allows students to choose their own writing projects. Students will compose and revise and polish a 10-30 page fiction piece, or compilation Poetry, or 10-30 page nonfiction piece during the course of the Term. Students will have the ability to expand on their writing workshop, building small writing communities.
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English Department Support Electives
The course below is an English Department Support Elective. It does not count toward English graduation requirements or English UC/CSU admission requirements but does earn elective credit toward VUSD graduation requirements.
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Academic Language and Literacy (E335)
(Abbr. Transcript Title: AcadLng Lit)
Grade Level: 9-10
Prerequisite: ELD Coordinator placement. Will be taken in conjunction with grade-level English class.
Course meets the UC/CSU "G" requirement
Academic Language and Literacy is a strategic course designed to provide communicative and academic English instruction for students through grade 10. This is a supplemental course that meets the linguistic and academic needs of English learners and must be taken concurrently with the core English-Language Arts course. This highly interactive course builds upon each student's level of mastery through rigorous English language and academic performance objectives, especially oral and written skills.
Last Updated 1.23.24 CP