Program of Studies Program of Studies 2019-2020 | Page 20

Foundations of Junior English
1 credit
Prerequisite: Placement by instructor and school
counselor
This course is for those students who plan to go
straight into the workforce or further their education
after high school in technical or vocational experience
and/or coursework. Juniors taking this course will
explore America’s role in the world and their place
in American society and culture through literature,
the news, and media. This course will continue the
skill building of Foundations of Sophomore English
and will ensure that students planning to enter the
workforce directly after graduation will develop the
reading and writing skills necessary for success in
today’s world. In addition to reading selected works
in American literature, there will be a focus on
interview techniques, time management, resume and
application writing.
SENIORS
While continuing their experience of literature, all
seniors will be working on their upcoming transition
to life after high school. Seniors will be taught skills
necessary for various next steps and encouraged
to develop the habits of mind that lead to lifelong
resilience and learning. All senior English classes
receive direct grammar instruction through an online
program.
AP Literature and Composition
1 credit
Prerequisite: Honors English and placement by
instructor, or AP Language and Composition
This demanding course will give the student the
opportunity to study literature at the college level,
possibly to earn college credit. The student must be
a committed reader in order to manage the extensive
reading within the genres of short fiction and poetry
from The Norton Reader, three novels, analytical
essays of texts, and three plays. All students are
required to take the AP exam in May.
NOTE: A summer reading assignment is mandatory;
see details in the introduction to this section.
Honors Senior English
1 credit
Prerequisite: Honors Junior English and
placement by instructor
How do we use literature to shape our own values?
This course will use the study of both fiction and
nonfiction to help students establish a set of core
values going forth from high school. Students
will be asked to read demanding and diverse texts
representing varied cultural perspectives and assert
their values through persuasive essays and class
discussions. A research project will culminate in
a major research paper. This course will challenge
students who have demonstrated above average
competency in English to develop skills more
intensively in the areas of reading, public speaking
and writing. Students will be asked to read college-
level texts and to write college-level essays.
NOTE: A summer reading assignment is
mandatory; see details in the introduction to this
section.
Senior English
1 credit
Prerequisite: Placement by instructor and school
counselor
This yearlong course provides the pace and content
expected of students preparing to further their
education after high school at two- and four- year
colleges and universities, building on work established
in Junior English. How does literature both reflect and
shape our values? This course will use the study of
fiction and nonfiction texts to help students examine
the connection between culture and personal identity,
and to identify their own core values going forth from
high school. There will be special attention to close
reading of diverse texts, analysis, a major research
project, and honing writing skills across genres. Texts
for this course will include 20th- and 21st- century
plays, essays, short stories, memoirs, and novels.
Nonfiction Literature/Journalism
1 credit
Grade 12
In this product based course, students will explore
print media, documentary photography, web media
and radio. As reporters, photojournalists, designers
and writers for our online news magazine you will be
engaged in real work. This is an exciting opportunity
to push yourself as a writer and to explore topics
which most interest you.