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ENglishPHILOSOPHY The goal of the English Department is to graduate students who read, write, and speak the English language effectively and correctly. An appreciation of the various literary genres is imparted as a significant part of each course. LEVELS
OF CLASSES
Honors
English I (9)
1 credit
With heavy emphasis on extensive writing projects which incorporate
sound logic and correct grammar and spelling, students in this class
will explore works by internationally famous authors.
Students will also study vocabulary and literary techniques
from context, analyze character motivation and interaction, and
discuss pieces within the scope of literary history.
In-depth study will be conducted on the refinements of grammar
(verbals, phrases, clauses, etc.), Great Expectations, Romeo
& Juliet, Miracle Worker, and monthly additional
full-length works. English
I
(9)
1
credit
This introductory course is designed to reinforce grammatical principles
and to expand writing skills. The four main literary genres (fiction,
non-fiction, poetry, and drama) will be introduced, analyzed, and
discussed from textual and supplementary
materials. Work will be done
on vocabulary, in and out of context, and on reading comprehension.
A work by Dickens and one by Shakespeare, both unabridged, are
included in the course work, as are quarterly outside readings. Essentials
of English I
(9)
1 credit
Essentials of English I is a comprehensive study of the English
language designed to provide ninth grade students with the necessary
communicative and analytical skills to succeed in all aspects of their
high school studies. The
course seeks to bring more slowly paced students up to
the achievement level of the average ninth grade English student.
It is divided into the three interrelated components of grammatical
skills, vocabulary development and literary analysis. Honors
English II
(10)
1
credit
A detailed study of the foundations of American literary tradition
is the focus of the reading in this course.
From the Iroquois Constitution and the journals of the explorers,
students proceed through the trials of the Puritans, the idealism of
the revolutionaries, the descriptive excellence of the romantics,
the humor and detail of the regionalists, and the intellectual and
spiritual thoughts of the transcendentalists.
American regionalism, realism and naturalism are studied in short
stories and novels and bring students into contemporary literature.
Afro-American and Hispanic-American pieces are sampled.
Major reports on significant literary works are required
approximately every three weeks. English
II
(10)
1
credit
Roots of American literature are studied during this year-long
course. Students begin with
the Puritanism of the 17th Century. They
progress through reading, writing, and oral presentations through the
Revolutionary War period, romanticism, regionalism, realism, and
naturalism into the works of the latter 20th Century.
Special emphasis is placed on the connection between literature and
history, the connection between man and his environment, and between man
and himself. Exploration of
prose, poetry, and drama is included.
Highlighted and studied are works of minority authors, Blacks,
Hispanics, and women.
In both semesters the writing of essays, the expansion of knowledge
of grammar, and the enhancement of verbal skills are important parts of
the curriculum.
Students will do quarterly papers, often based upon independent
outside readings and research. Essentials
of English II (10)
1
credit
Students in the Essentials English II program also work in each of
the six general areas outlined in the course description for the English
II program. However, since
the Essentials students do not begin the year at the same level of
academic or attitudinal readiness as sophomores in the other placement
classifications, some significant differences in the programs are
inevitable. With the
exception of the grammar workshop text, the Essentials class uses
completely different texts at a more appropriate level of readability
which is only slightly below grade level.
Correspondingly, the order and quantity of material covered, the
pace of coverage, the level of difficulty of the testing, the time and
guidance provided for long term assignments are adjusted to meet the needs
of the students. There is
also more guided and in-class reading for a longer duration into the
school year and with more frequency than there is in the Standard or the
Honors classes. College
English – Language/Composition (A.P.)
(11)
1 credit
This is a college-level course which is offered to the most
advanced junior students who have demonstrated a good command of the
language and who have maintained an A or a high B average in their
sophomore year. It is a
challenging and stimulating experience that often takes more time,
requires more work, gives greater opportunity for individual progress and
accomplishment, and explores the subject in greater depth.
The emphasis of the A.P. Language and Composition course is on
reading and writing. Students are exposed to a variety of complex prose passages,
representing different periods, styles and purposes which they analyze,
interpret and critique paying close attention to elements of diction,
syntax, tone, structure, purpose, figures of speech.
The
writing process is taught--prewriting, writing, revising--and students are
required to write essays in various rhetorical modes--narrative,
descriptive, expository, argumentative.
Ample opportunity is given for discussion on an array of subjects,
including current events and topics relevant to the student's own life.
A research paper is done during the second semester.
Although the A.P. Language and Composition course concentrates on
both effective writing and critical reading, there is some study of
literary genres, poetry, drama, short stories.
At the end of the year there is an A.P. Language Examination for
which many colleges grant credit or advanced placement. English
III
(11)
1
credit
In this year-long course, students are challenged to delve into the
works of British writers from the Anglo Saxon period to the present.
They are invited to explore the usage of words to determine tone
and to determine themes from the resolution of conflicts.
Through the study of prose, poetry, and drama students are urged to
seek the stated and implied morals and to examine connections between
literature and life, thus making literature relevant.
Heavy emphasis is placed on the construction and revision of essays
and on more sophisticated grammatical construction.
Additionally, much time is spent on vocabulary enhancement, reading
comprehension, sentence structure, and analogies with the specific intent
of improving scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests. Essentials
of English III
(11)
1
credit Each semester is comprised of approximately sixteen weeks. Time is allotted for the teaching of terminology, technique, vocabulary building, and for review, testing and required reading. The units in speech, vocabulary, grammar and composition are interspersed with the units in literature to provide for variety. In addition to the required reading in the textbook, students are encouraged to seek additional work in magazines, newspapers, novels and anthologies, and to do quarterly papers. Vocabulary and SAT preparation are stressed prior to the Scholastic Aptitude Tests in spring. College
English – Literature/Compositon (A.P.) (12)
1
credit The
Advanced Placement Senior English course is designed to
provide high school seniors with a curriculum of excellent world
literature from 3000 B.C. through the twentieth century at a college level
of pace, comprehension, and mastery.
It serves students who wish to pursue college level studies while
still in secondary school at AC-ND, and provides a comprehensive program
in literature, theory, analysis, and written expression to achieve that
end. The
culmination of the course is the opportunity to take the Advanced
Placement Examination in Literature and Composition.
Success on the exam is rated 5 (maximum) to 1 (minimum).
The national exam, given annually in May, enables our students'
subsequent colleges and universities to grant them placement, credit, or
both. The
aim of the course is to make students analytical readers and mature
writers. The objective of the
course is to make students progressively more aware of the impact of time
frame of origin and setting on the nature and content of literature.
The students are also made aware of how authors from different
periods and different disciplines suit their rhetorical choices to
particular aims. The
objective is to show that they, as readers and as writers, must develop
that verbal and written ability and flexibility in and for themselves.
The
curriculum of the course has been designed in accordance with
specifications from Barry University, so that students who opt to pay the
reduced tuition fee may receive dual enrollment credit (3 credit hours)
for this course work. Honors
English IV (12)
1 credit
The comprehensive study of varied genres is combined with personal
creativity as advanced students learn master works of world literature
during this year-long course. Through
group and individual projects as well as through unit exams and class
discussions, students demonstrate their mastery and analysis of classics,
ancient through modern.
Additionally, vocabulary enhancement, reading comprehension skills,
and analogy practice are continued to optimize scores on the Scholastic
Aptitude Test, and both teacher-directed and peer-learned intensive
instruction on current methods of research enables students to
successfully complete the thesis paper required for AC-ND graduation. English
IV
(12)
1
credit English IV is a comprehensive study of English language development which is designed to provide twelfth grade students with the necessary communicative and analytical skills to succeed at the post-secondary level. It is divided into the three interrelated components of literary analysis, grammatical skills and vocabulary development. Additionally, these components are taught in conjunction with specific instruction on the Senior Research Paper and Scholastic Aptitude Test required for graduation and post-secondary education, respectively. Essentials
of English IV (12)
1 credit The
course objectives for the first quarter are grounded in preparation for
the October and November SAT exams. The
focus is three parts: (1)
build vocabulary knowledge and usage with the aid of Tooth &
Nail: A Novel Approach to the
New SAT, as well as vocabulary supplements, i.e., SAT preparation
materials, CLAST and GED exercises; (2)
critical reading analysis, also supplemented by the aforementioned aids;
and (3) working through analogies. Besides
the aforementioned, the students will also be expected to complete various
essay assignments and master basic literary skills.
The year-long study in world literature provides topics for essays
and allows students to utilize their skills to compare, contrast, and
connect historical background to poem/story content. Literature
I (9)
Foundations
1 credit Literature is a comprehensive study of approaches to reading which is designed to provide ninth grade students with the necessary comprehension, vocabulary and critical thinking skills to succeed in all aspects of their high school studies. The course seeks to bring more slowly paced students up to the reading proficiency level of the ninth grade student. It is divided into the three interrelated components of comprehension methods, vocabulary development and critical analysis. Additionally, each student's overall reading progress is measured by the results of a standardized test administered to develop individual reading programs and determine future course placement.
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