Crime Literature L2/L3/L4

EN4207/4307/4407 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12

Prerequisite:

• L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher

• L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4

• L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5

Our country has a long history of fascination with truly dark crimes. Every day, someone murders someone else…. This is one of the most popular genres of American Literature, and this course will explore why its appeal is so evergreen, including elements of motivation, guilt, and responsibility. Join the journey through crime history, both fictional and true.

Dystopian Literature L2/L3/L4

EN429/439/449 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12

Prerequisite:

• L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher

• L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4

• L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5

Utopian, or seemingly perfect societies, often hide a dark side, known as a dystopia. What is “perfect” is often actually a profoundly destructive, dehumanizing nightmare for the citizens who live there. This class will consider several examples of dystopian works from both literature and film. It will also look closely at post-apocalyptic literature, possibly including zombies, as well as futuristic depictions of society gone terribly wrong.

Hero’s Journey L3/L4

EN438/448 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12

Prerequisite:​

• L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4

• L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5

It’s the same story over and over: a young person unsatisfied with his life and convinced that there is a larger place for him, discovers that he is an important part of a special world that he never knew existed. He meets a mentor who gives him a powerful gift, and as the young person journeys to that special place, he faces a series of challenges and ultimately becomes a hero. This course looks closely at several of those stories and investigates what their differences have to say about the cultural attitudes surrounding their writing. But whether the special realm is Hogwarts, Mordor, or the Death Star, this class also takes a close look at the similarities between the stories, and discusses what they reveal about the essential nature in all of us.

Listening to the Silenced Stories L2/L3/L4

EN42#/43#/44# - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12

Prerequisite:

• L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher

• L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4

• L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5

Who are the voices left unheard? The stories of those pushed to the edges of society? The ideas the mainstream views silence? This course will examine the stories of those who have been marginalized in society. History is often most vocally told by those who dominate the social narrative, but the literature of the under-represented voices can reveal important elements about our contemporary society. The readings in this course give voice to narratives that will allow students to explore our history, our perceptions, and our society from new perspectives, while exploring how identity, culture, history, race, gender, sexuality, and class impact our understanding of the world around us. The works covered in this course explore what can be learned when the silenced voices are given space to speak.

Literary Analysis of Film L2/L3/L4

EN4204/4304/4404 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12

Prerequisite:

• L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher

• L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4

• L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5

This course is designed to examine movies with a literary lens. Students will use the terminology of film analysis as well as the language of literary analysis to examine how directors make meaning and evoke feelings in their audiences. This course presents the opportunity to study movies adapted from texts as well as original screenplays. Students will analyze films primarily in writing and through various discussion formats. In addition, students will gain a first-hand understanding of the impact of directorial choices by creating a short film adapted from a text.

Philosophy and Literature L3/L4

EN433/443 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12

Prerequisite:​

• L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4

• L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5

Some literature is philosophical, and some philosophy is quite literary. This course will explore the ways in which major philosophical ideas manifest themselves in other types of writing, and will utilize both philosophical texts and works of fiction. It will survey a broad swath of writers from the ancient Greeks through the present day. No background in the history of philosophy is required or assumed.

Poetry L2/L3/L4

EN424/434/444 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12

Prerequisite:

• L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher

• L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4

• L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5

“It is the poet’s obligation to bear witness” – Plato

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Over the course of the semester, students will look at various forms of poetry that have been used to “bear witness” to historical events, social movements, and other major issues of the past and present. In doing so students will sample various poets, eras, and styles of poetry and come to understand how poetry can influence positive change, in small ways as well as in big ways. Ultimately, students will realize that we can all be poets in our own right and that what we say matters.

Psychology in Literature L2/L3/L4

EN425/435/445 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12

Prerequisite:

• L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher

• L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4

• L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5

In this course, we will analyze literature using a psychological lens to better understand how characters' behaviors and mental processes influence their decision making. Additionally, we will explore how the authors' external and internal influences may have impacted their writing. And through our study of relevant psychological research, we will look to better understand the psychology of not only ourselves but of the society we live in.