Course Descriptions
All courses are 1 semester, 1 credit courses unless otherwise noted. Courses can be taken for credit one time only, unless otherwise noted. Students who plan to attend a four-year college or university should consider registering for honors level English I, II, III, and IV. Students in honors level classes will be expected to complete assignments above and beyond those of the standard level courses.
Introduction to English F/S
Course Number: 10101X0S
Prerequisite: Level I or II on 8th grade EOC test
This course offers students additional preparation and skills needed prior to 9th grade English I.
Length of Course: 1 unit
Recommended for Grade: 9
English I F/S /Y
Course Number: 10212X01
Students in English I develop skills in oral and written communication, as well as, speaking and listening. Students read a variety of literature and focus on opinion, informative/ explanatory and narrative writing. Attention is given to advancing research skills also.
Length of Course: 1 unit
Recommended for Grade: 9
English I – Honors F/S/Y
Course No. 10215X01
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation; an “A” in eighth grade Language Arts OR an “A” or “B” in an AIG enrichment class AND level IV on eighth grade Reading EOG.
In addition to the common core curriculum prescribed for English I, students work at an accelerated pace and extend learning experiences with independent research, and in-depth studies of texts. Additionally, students in Honors English I develop a stronger background in grammatical conventions of written and spoken language. Students should exhibit willingness and the ability to work independently, as well as in whole-group and small-group settings. Students should be self-motivated and exhibit a level of maturity that enables them to meet the demands of a more rigorous program of study. Homework each day includes reading and additional assignments relevant to class activities.
Length of Course: 1 unit
Recommended for Grade: 9
English II F/S/Y
Course No. 10222X02
Prerequisite: English I
Students in English II read, discuss, and write about classical and contemporary world literature in a cultural context to appreciate the diversity and complexity of world issues and to connect global ideas to their own experiences. Students will continue to explore language and writing for narrative, informative/explanatory, opinion/argumentative and narrative purposes. Research skills will be exhibited in written and oral presentations.
Length of Course: 1 unit
Recommended for Grade: 10
English II – Honors F/S/Y
Course No. 10225X02
Prerequisite: “A” or “B” in Honors English I, or a strong “A” in English I (equating the level IV prerequisite required for English I).
In addition to the common core curriculum prescribed for all English II students, Honors English II students conduct more independent investigations into texts and themes. These students critically interpret and evaluate fiction and nonfiction texts related to cultural studies. They write extensively, exhibiting a higher level of literary interprepation as well as writing connentions. Challenging assignments in literature, composition, and vocabulary are given to promote critical thinking.
Length of Course: 1 unit
Recommended for Grade: 10
English III F/S/Y
Course No. 10232X03
Prerequisite: English II
Description: Students in English III analyze United States literature as it reflects social perspective and historical significance. The emphasis in English III is critical analysis of texts through reading, writing, speaking, listening, and using media. Students advance their skills in research as well as opinion, informative/explananory and narrative writing.
Length of Course: 1 unit
Recommended for Grade: 11
English III – Honors F/S/Y
Course No. 10235X03
Prerequisite: “A” or “B” in English II Honors.
Description: The curriculum for English III Honors is much the same in content as that of English III. However, students will be expected to study at a greater depth and breadth. More research will be done, as well as more critical, independent reading and writing.
Length of Course: 1 unit
Recommended for Grade: 11
English IV F/S/Y
Course No. 10242X04
Prerequisite: English III
Description: Students continue to explore informative/expository, argumentative, and narrative contexts with a literary focus on British literature. The emphasis in English IV is on argumentation by developing research skills, which enable the student to speak and write from an informed position.
Length of Course: 1 unit
Recommended for Grade: 12
English IV – Honors F/S/Y
Course No. 10245X04
Prerequisite: “A” or “B” in Honors English III
Description: English IV Honors is designed as an in depth reading of British literature. Emphasis is placed on close reading of researched information, which will be the basis for position papers and presentations.
Length of Course: 1 unit
Recommended for Grade: 12
CCRG Enhanced English IV F/S/Y
Course No. (Not yet released)
Prerequisite: English III
Description: The Career and College Ready Graduate Enhanced English IV course integrates ELA Standards for Grade 12 with North Carolina Community College System Career and College Ready English learning outcomes in order to address academic gaps for students who have not yet reached college and career readiness.
The CCRG English courses are organized around 3 general goals and require students’ increasing proficiency with reading and writing process; critical analysis and interpretation of academic, expository tests; and recognition and composition of well-developed, coherent and unified texts.
To take this course the student must have a GPA between 2.2 – 2.799
Length of Course: 1 unit
Recommended for Grade: 12
AP English Language and Composition F
Course No. 10357X0A
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and “A” or “B” in English II Honors
Description: AP Language and Composition is designed to help students become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts and to become skilled writers. The student will become aware of the interaction among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing. Students will be required to take the advanced placement examination at a cost of approximately $92. (The State has covered this cost in the past on a year-to-year basis, but this is NOT a guarantee.)
Length of Course: 1 unit
Recommended for Grade: 11
AP English Literature and Composition F/S
Course No. 10367X0A
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and “A” or “B” in English III Honors
Description: AP Literature and Composition involves careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through close reading of selected texts, students can deepen their understanding of the ways that writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. Students will examine a work’s structure, style, and themes as well as smaller-scale elements, such as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. Students will be required to take the advanced placement examination at a cost of approximately $92.
Length of Course: 1 unit
Recommended for Grade: 12
Journalism I S/Y
Course No. 10312X0S
Description: Journalism students study techniques of journalistic writing, layout, newspaper organization, and American journalistic history. Students also survey the mass media, photography, television, and radio reporting. They are exposed to a variety of articles and genres (features, news, profiles, sports, etc.). Because 21st century journalists are entrenched in a multimedia market, we explore a myriad of options for delivering the news.
Length of Course: 1 unit
Recommended for Grade: 9-12