English Curriculum

4 credits

English 8 offers students an engaging journey through the realms of language, literature, and communication. Through a variety of literary genres, students will explore the intricacies of language, enhance their reading comprehension skills, and develop their ability to articulate ideas effectively. This course emphasizes critical thinking, analytical writing, and creative expression, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the English language and its cultural significance. Students will engage in collaborative discussions, independent reading, writing workshops, and multimedia projects, all aimed at cultivating their proficiency in communication and nurturing a lifelong love of literature.

The Literature and Composition course is meticulously designed to cultivate an in-depth appreciation and critical understanding of literary works across a broad spectrum of genres, periods, and cultural backgrounds. This comprehensive program not only aims to enhance students' analytical and interpretative skills through the close reading of texts but also focuses on refining their writing abilities, enabling them to articulate their thoughts with clarity, coherence, and sophistication. Students will engage with an array of literary forms, including poetry, fiction, drama, and non-fiction, examining each for its thematic depth, historical context, and stylistic nuances. Through a combination of analytical essays, creative writing assignments, and dynamic class discussions, the course encourages students to develop a nuanced critical perspective and a personal voice in their writing. The curriculum is designed to foster an understanding of the interconnectedness of literature with its broader historical and social contexts, thereby preparing students for thoughtful and informed engagement with the texts. By the end of the course, students will have gained not only a deeper appreciation of literary artistry but also the skills necessary to express their insights and analyses with confidence and precision.

The World Literature course offers students a panoramic view of global literary traditions, spanning from ancient texts to contemporary works. This immersive journey across continents and centuries invites students to explore the rich tapestry of stories, poems, plays, and novels that reflect the diverse experiences, cultures, and voices of people from around the world. By engaging with works from a wide array of cultural backgrounds, students will develop a deeper understanding of the universal themes and unique perspectives that literature can offer. The course emphasizes critical thinking and comparative analysis, encouraging students to draw connections between texts from different cultures and historical periods. Through class discussions, written assignments, and creative projects, students will refine their analytical and expressive skills, gaining insight into the power of literature to shape, reflect, and challenge societal norms and personal identities. The World Literature course is designed not only to broaden students’ literary horizons but also to cultivate empathy and global awareness, preparing them to be informed and thoughtful global citizens.

"From Thoughts to Thesis: The Journey of Argumentative Writing" is an intensive course designed to equip students with the essential skills to construct compelling, well-reasoned arguments and effectively articulate them in writing. This course takes students on a comprehensive journey from the initial stages of developing critical thinking skills to the advanced stages of crafting and supporting a persuasive thesis with logical evidence. Through a series of interactive workshops, writing exercises, and feedback sessions, students will learn how to identify credible sources, analyze arguments, and use rhetorical strategies to persuade their audience. The curriculum emphasizes clarity, coherence, and precision in writing, guiding students through the process of organizing their ideas, structuring their arguments, and refining their prose to achieve maximum impact. By the end of the course, students will not only be able to defend their viewpoints with confidence and skill but also appreciate the power of argumentative writing in shaping opinions and influencing change. This course is ideal for anyone looking to enhance their persuasive writing capabilities, whether for academic, professional, or personal purposes.

The American Literature course is designed to immerse students in the rich and diverse tapestry of American writing, tracing its evolution from the early colonial period to the present day. This course explores the breadth and depth of American literary expression, examining how it reflects the social, historical, and cultural contexts of the United States through various epochs. Students will engage with a wide range of texts, including foundational works, transcendentalist essays, Harlem Renaissance poetry, modernist novels, and contemporary voices that challenge and redefine the American narrative.

Through careful reading, analytical writing, and thoughtful discussion, students will explore themes such as identity, freedom, conflict, and the American dream, considering how these ideas have been articulated and reimagined in American literature. The course aims to foster an appreciation for the complexity and plurality of American voices, encouraging students to critically analyze how literature influences and is influenced by the shifting landscapes of American society.

Students will leave the course with a deeper understanding of the American literary canon, equipped with the critical thinking skills necessary to interpret and engage with literature as a reflection of the human experience. This course is ideal for those who seek to appreciate the richness of American culture through its literature, understand its historical contexts, and explore the evolving American identity.

The AP Literature and Composition course is an advanced study designed for high school students ready to engage with college-level material. This rigorous course aims to deepen students’ understanding of the complexities of literature from various genres, periods, and cultures. Through close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature — including poetry, prose, and drama — students will explore themes, structure, narrative techniques, and the use of language. The course encourages students to consider a work's social, historical, and philosophical contexts and how these contexts contribute to the richness and depth of the text.

Students will be challenged to express their interpretations and evaluations through spoken discussion and written analysis, developing their abilities to construct clear, coherent, and persuasive arguments. A significant focus is placed on refining writing skills, with assignments ranging from analytical essays to creative responses, all aimed at fostering a sophisticated writing style and a nuanced approach to literary criticism.

Preparation for the AP Literature and Composition exam is a key component, with students engaging in practices that mirror the exam's format, including multiple-choice questions and free-response essays. This course requires active participation and a commitment to reading and analyzing a substantial body of work, demanding a high level of intellectual engagement and personal initiative.

By the end of the course, students will have gained a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which literature communicates complex ideas and emotions, and they will be well-prepared to tackle the AP exam and future literary studies at the college level. This course is ideal for students passionate about literature and seeking to challenge themselves academically while earning college credit during their high school years.

The AP English Language and Composition course is a rigorous college-level class that engages high school students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. This course is designed to help students become both critical readers and versatile writers capable of navigating the complex rhetoric of our contemporary world. Through an extensive exploration of language, students will learn how to analyze and interpret texts, considering their purpose, audience, and context, and to use rhetorical strategies in their own writing.

The curriculum emphasizes developing evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing skills, the understanding and use of rhetorical devices, and the effective use of language. Students will explore various non-fiction texts, including essays, speeches, letters, and visual texts, to understand how authors construct arguments and persuade audiences. They will learn to craft their arguments, employing various strategies and styles suited to different rhetorical situations.

Writing assignments in this course range from personal narrative essays to formal argumentative essays and synthesis essays that require students to draw on multiple sources to support their claims. The course also focuses on the development of research skills, encouraging students to evaluate, use, and cite primary and secondary sources effectively.

Preparation for the AP English Language and Composition exam is integral to the course, with students engaging in practices that reflect the exam's focus on analysis and argumentation in writing. By the end of the course, students will have developed a sophisticated understanding of how language can be used to argue, persuade, and convey complex ideas, preparing them not only for the AP exam but also for the writing and communication challenges of college and beyond. This course is ideal for students who are passionate about the power of language and are seeking to enhance their writing, analysis, and communication skills.