English Courses
Reading (105)
Prerequisite: None
The one semester reading course helps our students to develop a range of strategies they can use to read the different kinds of text they will encounter in school: dense textbook writing, poetry, short stories, novels, and research. Students will learn what to do before reading, during reading, and after reading to help them understand and evaluate what they will encounter in their courses.
Honors Reading (109)
Prerequisite: None
Qualification: Enrollment in the Fr. Streicher Enriched Verbal Skills Program. The Honors Reading course is designed as a companion course for those students enrolled in Honors English I. This semester-long course focuses on improving content-area reading skills, study skills, and reading comprehension. Honors students will examine various genres of fiction-the short story, the novel, the epic, etc.-as well as poetry and non-fiction works. Honors Reading students will explore the context and historical background of the works they read. Language arts skills-clarity of expression, vocabulary, reading comprehension-are stressed in study habits, in written and oral expression, and in critical reading and analysis.
English I (115)
Prerequisite: None
The freshman English course has three separate components: language structure, literary forms, and composition skills. In the language structure component, the course offers a complete review of English grammar, mechanics, and usage. In the literature component, students will be introduced to the most common literary genres; the third component emphasizes writing skills.
Honors English I (119)
Prerequisite: None
Qualification: Invitation to Fr. Streicher Enriched Verbal Skills Program based on entrance exam scores and academic grades of A- and good effort marks from previous school.
English II (125)
Prerequisite: English I (115 or 119)
The year begins with a review of grammar and usage. During the first semester, students practice writing paragraphs. In the second semester they are introduced to the essay and write two essays each quarter. Vocabulary is studied weekly through the year. In literature, eight to ten novels and plays are assigned and discussed. In addition, there is a survey of American literature from Colonial times to the present. Discussion and analysis of literary works and the proper application of literary terms are an essential part of the course.
Honors English II (129)
Prerequisite: English I (115 or 119)
Qualification: Grade of A- for the entire academic year in English I (115) or grade of B+ for the entire academic year in Honors English I (119), excellent homework record (completion of 90% of homework on time), writing which frequently has a clear purpose, addresses a specific audience, uses effective detail, and is the result of a logical writing process and teacher recommendation.
English III (135)
Prerequisite: English I (115 or 119) and English II (125 or 129)
The course has two basic strands: composition and literature. In composition students write six essays and a major research paper. There are additional writing exercises. Vocabulary is studied weekly throughout the year. The course provides a survey of British literature from its origins to the present. In addition to readings from the anthology, eight to ten novels and plays are assigned. Discussion and analysis of literary works and the proper application of literary terms are essential aspects of the course.
Honors English III (139)
Prerequisite: English I (115 or 119) and English II (125 or 129)
Honors English III
Qualification: Grade of B+ for entire academic year in English II (125) or grade of B for entire academic year in Honors English II (129), excellent homework record (completion of 90% of homework on time), Proof of good writing ability (B+ or better) and teacher recommendation
Honors English IV
Honors English IV thus will focus on further developing and refining the reading, writing, and thinking skills introduced the previous years. The course will focus on the study and consideration of the literary, cultural, and human significance of selected works of both Western and non-Western literary traditions (a World Literature basis). Such a course will promote an understanding of these works in their cultural/historical contexts and of the human values that unite the different literary traditions. Through the study of literature, students will learn about being members of a larger world community. Readings in the course will include both fiction and non-fiction texts. In order to practice college-preparatory writing, students will be assigned the following types of papers: analysis (literary or rhetorical), synthesis, personal voice, and position.
This course will provide students with frequent opportunities to write for different audiences and purposes, to continue to practice the writing process, and to use outside sources within their writing. The techniques of analysis are applied through reading, writing, and class discussions. Increased emphasis will be placed on logic, the use of direct evidence, source-based and primary research, closely observing details, recognizing and interpreting patterns of details, uncovering underlying assumptions and warrants, and language and style.
Qualifications for this course: Grade of 8+ or better for the entire academic year in English Ill or grade of 8 or better in Honors English Ill or AP English course, excellent homework record (completion of 90% of homework on time), proof of adequate writing ability (8+ or better) and teacher recommendation.
College Composition (145)
Prerequisite: English I (115 or 119), English II (125 or 129), and English III (135 or 139)
This one-semester required course (except for those taking Advanced Placement English) features both reading and writing components. The majority of the writing will be critical writing based on the reading assignment. Students will write at least six essays; of these, one must be a MLA-documented paper.
AP English IV (Literature and Composition) (150)
Prerequisite: English I (115 or 119), English II (125 or 129), and English III (135 or 139)
AP English
Qualification: Grade of B+ or better for the entire academic year in English III or grade of B or better in Honors English III (139), excellent homework record (completion of 90% of homework on time), proof of adequate writing ability (B+ or better) and teacher recommendation.
This year-long course includes American and British literature in a variety of genres – novels, plays, poems, short stories, and essays. The object of the course is to sharpen critical, analytical, and interpretative skills through close readings of the literature. Writing projects include essays, short research papers, and impromptu in-class writing. All students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Examination.
The advanced placement exam is required.
AP English IV (Language and Composition) (160)
Prerequisite: English I (115 or 119), English II (125 or 129), and English III (135 or 139)
AP English
Qualification: Grade of B+ or better for the entire academic year in English III or grade of B or better in Honors English III (139), excellent homework record (completion of 90% of homework on time), proof of adequate writing ability (B+ or better) and teacher recommendation.
This year long course includes American and British non-fiction in a variety of genres: exposition, persuasion, narrative, etc. The object of the course is to sharpen critical, analytical, and interpretative skills through close reading. Writing projects include essays, short research papers, and impromptu in-class writing. All students are expected to take the Advanced Placement Language and Composition Examination.
The advanced placement exam is required.
Second Semester Senior Electives:
Voices from the Margins (161)
Prerequisite: Composition (145) unless taken in conjunction with AP English (150 or 160)
Voices from the Margins, explores 20th century multicultural literature from the United States and around the world. This course examines some of the critically acclaimed works (prose, poetry, and drama) in American and World literature written by minority authors. Students will read a variety of writers including Hughes, Hurston, Wright, Achebe, Alexie, Kafka, Cisneros, and Kincaid. The goal of the course is for the students to become more familiar with a particular group of writers who have contributed a great deal to the corpus of American and World literature. By expanding their cultural boundaries, students will learn to embrace diversity and challenge prejudice, while recognizing their role as citizens of a multicultural world. Students will be evaluated through quizzes, tests, three essays, and a final project.
Creative Writing/Short Story and Poetry (163)
Prerequisite: Composition (145) unless taken in conjunction with AP English (150 or 160)
Much of the philosophy and methodology of this course comes from the conceptual framework of “learning by doing.” Students will learn about the techniques and devices of creating worthwhile short stories and poems by immersing themselves in the production of such literary forms. The merits of each student’s work will provide for the overall student evaluation.
Chaucer and Shakespeare (165)
Prerequisite: Composition (145) unless taken in conjunction with AP English (150 or 160)
This is a study of the major works of the two most influential writers in English literary history. The course emphasizes the analysis of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, his poems, and eight of Shakespeare’s classic plays. Three short papers and six essay exams are required.
Modern American Literature (166)
Prerequisite: Composition (145) unless taken in conjunction with AP English (150 or 160)
This course examines some of the critically acclaimed works (prose, poetry, and drama) in American literature since the 1920’s. Significant historical events of individual decades will be identified and analyzed in order to heighten appreciation of these selected literary works. In addition to reading and discussing the literature, students will view films and videotapes; recordings will be presented. Students will be evaluated through quizzes, tests, and three essays.
Topics in Literature: Mythology (167)
Prerequisite: Composition (145) unless taken in conjunction with AP English (150 or 160)
In this course students will learn some of the important myths from ancient Greece and Rome, like the stories of the Trojan War, Oedipus, and Orestes. Then students will investigate how these myths were used as a source of artistic inspiration for a variety of authors. It is interesting to see how these famous myths came to be used in literature to emphasize divergent points of view on morality, politics, and art. There will be quizzes, exams, and three essays.
Seminar in Edgar Allan Poe (168)
Prerequisite: Composition (145) unless taken in conjunction with AP English (150 or 160)
This course provides an intensive study of this mysterious and captivating author of the grotesque. Students will examine most of Poe’s stories as well as his poetry. Students will be evaluated through quizzes, tests, and a minimum of three essays.
Topics in Literature: Baseball (172)
Prerequisite: Composition (145) unless taken in conjunction with AP English (150 or 160)
Some of the best writing in America over the past century just so happens to describe our national pastime. Students will examine some of the most critically acclaimed works on baseball (most nonfiction). A deeper appreciation of both great writing and a great game will result. Students will be evaluated through quizzes, tests, and a minimum of three essays.
Seminar in Irish Literature (174)
Prerequisite: Composition (145) unless taken in conjunction with AP English (150 or 160)
This course examines some of the critically acclaimed works (prose, poetry, and drama) in Irish literature. Students will read a variety of writers including the more popular names such as Yeats, Joyce, Wilde, and Shaw, and some lesser-known, yet significant writers. Important historical events will be identified and analyzed in order to offer increased understanding of Irish literature’s evolution. The goal of the course is for the students to become more familiar with a particular group of writers who have contributed a great deal to the corpus of world literature. Students will be evaluated through quizzes, tests, and a minimum of three essays.
Topics in Literature: Cinema as Literature (178)
Prerequisite: Composition (145) unless taken in conjunction with AP English (150 or 160)
Theme, imagery, symbolism, technique – these are a few of the terms shared by cinema and literature. This course will explore film as works of literature. Examining the feature film from its earliest days through today, in addition to documentary and experimental films, the course will involve a considerable amount of writing, as the student learns the language of cinema and how the techniques of literature have been translated into primarily visual medium. This class is not for the student who merely wishes to watch movies and do no reading or writing. Requirements include one major paper and shorter essays, reaction journal, readings, quizzes and tests, class notes, and discussion.
Seminar in Faulkner (171)
William Faulkner is considered by many critics to be one of the greatest American novelists of the 20th century. His stream of consciousness techniques, his dislocation of narrative time, and his other bold avant-garde experiments make him one of the most challenging writers. Despite these challenges, his popularity continues to grow. This seminar will devote considerable class time to close readings of three of his short stories and four of his novels. A guided independent study of a fifth novel (student-selected) completes the course syllabus. This course is designed to emphasize close reading. Students who enroll should expect to read difficult prose passages and to perform literary analysis. Students will be evaluated through tests, four essays, and a term project.