English Courses

English 101 and 102 are genre courses (introduction to short stories, poems, plays, essays), which introduce the student to the formal study of literature and the process of writing. English 201 and 202 continue this study of literature and writing with a literary content that focuses on American literature.. The literary content of English 301 and 302 consists of British and World literature. Senior English offerings include one semester elective courses (non-AP students must take a minimum of two (2) elective offerings) or English 402, a full year Advanced Placement course. Seniors who have room in their schedules may choose additional English elective courses.

For graduation, students are required to obtain four (4) credits in English. Senior elective courses carry a credit of .5.

GRADE 9

ENGLISH I - ENG 101 1 credit

The aim of the course is to foster habits of reading with attention and with sensitivity to the implications of what is read. The freshman student is introduced to five basic forms of literature: the short story, the poem, the play, the non-fiction essay and the novel. The freshman student is expected to recognize and use the major literary devices found in these five forms. Throughout the entire year, there is systematic emphasis upon composition. This exercise with the forms of language solidifies a student's command of English grammar and refines the student's abilities of self-expression in writing. Particular emphasis is placed upon a process approach to writing through practice in writing narrative and descriptive paragraphs and essays. The student also begins to write critically about the literature he reads. In addition to intensive practice in composition, significant time is spent on the student's verbal development through vocabulary and speech. Note taking and study skills are also a part of this introduction to literature and writing.

Prerequisite: None

HONORS ENGLISH I - ENG 102 1 credit

This course is available for the freshman who has demonstrated a proficiency in language skills based on his Entrance Exam, diagnostic testing, and recommendation of his eighth grade English teacher. The student is introduced to four basic forms of literature: the short story, the poem, the play and the novel. A student in the Honors program will be expected to handle significant reading assignments and to be involved in a more sophisticated analysis of literature. Active class participation is an important aspect of a student's grade. Numerous and varied writing assignments help the student to refine his writing skills. Significant time is spent on vocabulary study and speech to aid the student's verbal development. Note taking and study skills are also a part of this introduction to literature and writing.

Prerequisite: Placement based on Scholarship-Entrance Examination and diagnostic testing and recommendation of 8th grade English instructor. A student applying for this course should be comfortable with speaking in a group setting.

GRADE 10

ENGLISH II - ENG 20l 1 credit

Students in English II will study the rich cultural literary heritage of America. Students will be exposed to traditional works from the Colonial era to the present as well as significant Native American and African American literature. Students will examine how these authors treat universal human concerns as well as their portrayal of life in America. In conjunction with the reading, English II emphasizes a process approach to writing. Students will write in a variety of modes, including narration, description, persuasion, and the short critical essay. English II students will continue the study of vocabulary begun in freshman year. Students will also have the opportunity to develop their oral communication skills through informal and formal speech activities. Time is spent on note-taking and study skills as well.

Prerequisite: None

HONORS ENGLISH II - ENG 202 1 credit

American Literature and Writing II: An honors course in English is offered to those sophomores who have developed a serious interest in the study of literature and who have demonstrated in freshman year an ability to write well. In addition, the student must assume the responsibility of a greater volume of reading and more extensive writing and speaking assignments than in English 201. Involvements in class activity and class participation are integral parts of this course and compose a significant percentage of the student’s grade.

Particular emphasis is placed upon a process approach to writing. In addition to narration, several forms are used to help the student develop his own voice as a writer: description, persuasion, journaling, the writing of reaction/response papers, and short story writing. During the second semester, the Honors student will begin the study and practice of critical writing. The student will expand his vocabulary through further study and through an examination of American literature.

While not an Advanced Placement course, English 202 serves as an excellent introduction to the AP courses in junior and senior years and may be considered a pre-AP course.

Prerequisite: Students must have an A average in English for freshman year and the recommendation of the student’s English 101/102 teacher. This recommendation will evaluate five factors of the student’s current year’s English performance: Grade in English (93 or higher), advanced writing ability, class participation skills, reading comprehension and ability to meet deadlines. All candidates for Honors English II must take a multiple choice reading comprehension and analysis test, which will be administered by the English Department. Successful candidates for Honors English II must score in the top quarter of their class on the verbal section of the PSAT.

GRADE 11

Juniors are required to take English 301 or 302. Students may also choose to take an elective course; however, first choice in the elective courses is given to seniors.

ENGLISH III - ENG 301 1 credit

English 301 is a survey of British and world literature. Students will discover how the topics that interested writers and the style in which they wrote developed over the course of centuries. Discussion is integral to the course.

Particular emphasis is placed upon a process approach to writing and the student will be given regular opportunity to refine his writing skills in the various modes practiced in his career at The Prep: descriptive, narrative, persuasive, journaling, reaction/ response essay and creative writing. During the second semester, particular attention will be given to the writing of the essay for college application and to the on-going development of vocabulary. The senior student will also have opportunity to hone his public speaking skills. Time-management, note taking and study skills will also be addressed in this course.

Prerequisite: None

AP ENGLISH III - ENG 302 1 credit

An Advanced Placement program is available to qualified students in both junior and senior year. This junior course follows the guidelines for the AP Language and Composition program. The AP program in English is designed for students with confidence in their writing ability and a significant interest in literature, critical thinking and writing. It should also be noted that junior AP English students need not be retained in the program during senior year if they do not sustain a high degree of motivation and demonstrate above-average aptitude for the material. AP English classes utilize the format of a college-level seminar. Consequently, it is imperative that students in the program anticipate comprehensive and deep coverage of British and World literature. In addition, students must be willing to participate in class activities and discussions. AP students must assume the additional responsibility of a greater volume of out-of-class reading in preparation for class discussion.

Particular emphasis is placed upon a process approach to writing. Junior AP students will also be expected to write several critical analysis papers on works included in the study of British and World literature. Time will also be spent on the writing of the essay for college applications, vocabulary and informal and formal speech activities. Students are required to take the College Board AP English Language and Composition exam in May.

Prerequisite: Students must have an A average in English for sophomore year and the recommendation of the student’s English 201/202 teacher. This recommendation will evaluate five factors of the student’s current year’s English performance: Grade in English (93 or higher), writing ability, class participation skills, reading comprehension (the ability to analyze and synthesize) and ability to meet deadlines.

All candidates for AP English III must take a reading comprehension and analysis test which will be administered by the English Department. Successful candidates for AP English must score in the top quarter of their class on the verbal section of the PSAT.

GRADE 12

ENGLISH IV

Non-AP seniors must choose two (2) of the following courses to complete their senior English credit. Non-AP seniors are given priority for admission to semester elective offerings.

The English Department will NOT offer all of the following elective courses each year. Instead, the Department will attempt to offer those courses, which are of the greatest interest to the majority of seniors. Staffing and scheduling constraints may affect course offerings and availability.

SENIOR ELECTIVES

LITERATURE AND FILM— ENG 403 ½ credit

This course is designed to explore the relationship between literature and film and recognizes film as a distinct and valid literary art form. It is designed to explore the methods, techniques and processes of great American filmmakers. A variety of cinematic genres will be studied. Students will read several novels, and view the film adaptation of each. Students will gain knowledge and insight into how characters are developed within literature and film. By grasping a more thorough understanding of the creative processes that authors and directors undergo, students will develop thoughtful and critical approaches to film and media. Students will learn to identify and discuss directorial aspects of filmmaking, such as cinematography, score, costume, editing, sound effects, set design, and prop consistency. Students will also be encouraged to express their reactions to character, acting and dialogue, and expected to discuss their critical analysis of each. Students will examine film’s effect on their imaginations, and be encouraged to carefully consider the impact of media on the mind.

Through written assignments and classroom discussions, students will express their views on media and its powerful impact on social psychology and culture.

SHAKESPEARE— ENG 405 ½ credit

This course studies the plays of Shakespeare as literary, dramatic, and cultural texts. It introduces the student to the writing of clear, well-argued critical prose. The aim is to rediscover Shakespeare in his own time, while also knowing him as our contemporary: a maker of our culture and a continuing source of pleasure. Students will carefully examine several of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. [Examples include: Henry IV, Part I; Twelfth Night; Hamlet; The Winter’s Tale and The Tempest.) Students will write one literary essay per play on mutually agreed upon topics. Other possible activities include: integration of music, (e.g., Verdi’s Falstaff; Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream); study of film adaptations; or a field trip to view live performance.

PERSONAL WRITING:

EXPRESSIONS OF THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE — ENG 406 ½ credit

Personal writing is one of the most significant means for capturing and expressing the human experience. Memoir, poetry, autobiography, music, journal, film and the personal essay are some of the many ways we have found to express who we are. This course will examine various forms of personal writing produced in the 20th century.

Much of a student’s scholastic writing has focused on the critical and analytical modes of writing. This course will provide an opportunity to examine models of personal writing by famous and not-so-famous writers. Using these published writers as models, the student will create his own body of work using the various modes of personal writing.

One very pragmatic application of this course will be experience in drafting the college application essay. Many colleges request a personal writing sample to help them learn more about a student, judge his ability to be a reflective thinker, and see how well he expresses himself in this less formal mode of writing. The college essay challenges a student to express himself in more personal writing. In this course, students will sharpen their personal writing skills.

Students will write intensively (in many of the genres mentioned above), use peer feedback and employ a variety of editing and revision strategies.

CENSORSHIP IN LITERATURE — ENG 408 ½ credit

In various forms, censorship in literature has existed since ideas were first put into print. The reasons for the censor’s actions vary, but one thing remains constant: The need to find out why. This course examines literary pieces that have been in some fashion over the past century. Students will read pieces ranging from the current popular series, Harry Potter, to the timeless classic, James Joyce’s Ulysses. Readings from Shel Silverstein, Alex Haley, Jean Jacques Rousseau, and Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm will be examined, too.

Students will be required to write several critical analysis papers, work on group assignments, take part in class presentations, and actively participate in class discussions.

Modern Short Story — Eng 409 ½ credit This course will involve intense reading, analysis, discussion and writing about modern short stories. The content will focus on methods of detailed reading and analysis of works of fiction. The literature is discussed in terms of characterization, point of view, tone, figurative language, and plot structure— elements, which help, reveal layers of meaning in a narrative. Gender, ethnicity, and related topics are discussed in relation to the stories. Universal themes and patterns, which transcend national boundaries, are analyzed.

Students will also examine how many American minority writers have used the short story genre precisely to reclaim it for their own cultures, to challenge the centrality of "canonical" genres, and to illustrate, simultaneously, its potential power as a genre of cultural transmission and self-definition. Possible authors may include: N. Scott Momaday, Leslie Marmon Silko and Sherman Alexie.

The course will focus on stories written in the late 20th century in order to insure that many of the stories are new to the student. Some of the authors we would focus on are Saul Bellow, Tim O'Brien, Bernard Malamud, Donald Barthelme, John Cheever, Steven King and Alice Munro. Frequently these stories will be selected from current publications such as The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, Harpers, etc.

Students will write short papers of response and analysis. Class participation will be a key element in this course, discussion a must.

Journalism — Eng 414 ½ credit The purpose of this course is to instruct students on the intricacies of journalistic writing and the ethics and responsibilities of being a professional journalist. This course is designed for the mature student who has a serious and pronounced interest in the field of journalism. The course is writing intensive. Understanding the importance of deadlines is crucial, and students will be held to a high professional standard. Different types of writing will be presented: interviewing, covering speeches, profiles, court reporting, editorials, reviews, opinion pieces, news, both internally, internationally and nationally, and other assignments. In-class and outside reporting assignments will be included. The role of a writer for different publications will also be explored. Professional journalists will be invited to discuss the different roles that are involved in putting together any type of publication. The course will explore the social role of journalism and the journalist from legal, historical, ethical, and economic perspectives.

The course is open to any student who is serious about writing, including those who are interested in writing for school publications. This course presents an opportunity to explore the different aspects of journalism, including: photography, editing, layout, and the business management of a publication.

Students will be expected to write in various journalistic formats and to perform all of the various aspects of newspaper production. Collaboration with others and working as a newspaper staff will be an intricate part of this course.

The Troubles: LiteraturE of the Six Counties— ENG 415 ½ credit This course will explore how Irish fiction writers and filmmakers have artistically represented the Northern Irish ‘Troubles” (1968 to present). Students will investigate the aesthetic dimensions of the stories and films and their social and political contexts. In addition, students will consider both the representation of violence and the potential violence of representation.

This course will trace the history, literature and culture of the delicate and in many ways uneasy peace in contemporary Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is a term that is used by Loyalists or Unionists because it is the official name of the country given by the British. The North of Ireland is a non-sectarian, while Republicans or Nationalists would more likely use the term the Six Counties to describe the same territory.

Topics will include collusion, the tradition of physical force, concepts of Nationalism and Republicanism, and Unionism and Loyalism, the hunger strike as a tactic of protest, the history behind partition, and others.

The aim of the course is to enlighten students on the issues revolving around the North of Ireland and how those issues are presented in the works of its writers. This course will expand the student’s awareness and understanding of the North of Ireland beyond what he sees on the news and reads in the papers.

Works covered will include a broad base of novels, plays, stories and films created by Protestant and Catholic artists: Everything in This Country Must by Colum McCann (Catholic), Cal by Bernard MacLaverty (Protestant), Eureka Street by Robert McLiam Wilson (Protestant), Resurrection Man by Eoin McNamee (Catholic), the poetry of Bobby Sands (Catholic) and the films In the Name of the Father, The Boxer, and Some Mother’s Son.

AP ENGLISH IV - ENG 402 1 credit

An Advanced Placement course is offered to qualified seniors. This course follows the guidelines for the AP Literature and Composition program. The AP program in English is designed for students with confidence in their writing ability and a significant interest in literature, critical thinking and writing. Senior AP English will center primarily on a study of selected works in British and World Literature. AP students in English will do reading in the criticism of literature and will share their readings with the class. Since the course will be conducted as a college-level seminar, class preparation and participation are very important. In preparation for college study, students will learn how to use the Internet for research and for class discussion.

Particular emphasis is placed on a process approach to writing. In addition to proficiency in the modes practiced in their previous three years of study, students will write short critical analysis papers. The student will also have the opportunity to craft the essay for college application. Public speaking and vocabulary skills will also be emphasized. Students are required to take the College Board AP English Literature and Composition exam in May.

Prerequisite: Students must have an A average in English for junior year and the recommendation of the student’s English 301/302 teacher. This recommendation will evaluate five factors of the student’s current year’s English performance: Grade in English (93 or higher), writing ability, class participation skills, reading comprehension (the ability to analyze and synthesize) and ability to meet deadlines.

All candidates for AP English IV must take a multiple choice reading comprehension and analysis test, which will be administered by the English Department. A successful candidate must score at least a 5 on a scale of 1-9. Successful candidates for AP English must score in the top quarter of their class on the verbal section of the PSAT.

Although AP English is a full year course, students are invited to select additional semester English courses as their schedules allow.