ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
111 Literature & Composition 1 – Fundamentals - Grade 9 (1 credit)
This year-long course helps the student understand and appreciate various literary forms, such as the novel, short story, poetry, and drama at a modified pace. It covers the following areas of the English curriculum: grammar and composition, with an emphasis on writing a three-five paragraph essay; the research process; and vocabulary development. There will be a summer reading requirement.
112 Literature & Composition 1 - Grade 9 (1 credit)
This year-long course helps the student understand and appreciate various literary forms, such as the novel, short story, poetry, and drama. It covers the following areas of the English curriculum: grammar and composition, with an emphasis on writing a three-five paragraph essay; the research process; and vocabulary development. There will be a summer reading requirement.
113 Honors Literature & Composition 1 - Grade 9 (0.5 weight) (1 credit)
This year-long course helps the student understand and appreciate various literary forms, such as novels, short stories, poetry, drama, and the novella. It covers the following areas of the English curriculum: writing essays, writing a research paper, improving grammar, reading, using reference tools, and increasing vocabulary. Prerequisite: Scores in the 90th percentile in English and Reading on ITBS and A/B in 8th grade Reading and English. There will be a summer reading requirement.
121 Literature & Composition 2 – Fundamentals - Grade 10 (1 credit)
This year-long course provides instruction in composition, grammar and literature at a modified pace. It covers the following areas of the English curriculum: interpretation of a variety of literary genres including myths, novels, nonfiction and poetry; the writing process, including both grammar and composition; and the research process. There will be a summer reading requirement.
122 Literature & Composition 2 - Grade 10 (1 credit)
This year-long course provides instruction in composition, grammar and literature. It covers the following areas of the English curriculum: interpretation of a variety of literary genres including myths, novels, nonfiction and poetry; the writing process, including both grammar and composition; and the research process. There will be a summer requirement.
123 Honors Literature & Composition 2 - Grade 10 (0.5 weight) (1 credit)
This year-long course provides instruction in composition, grammar and literature. It covers the following areas of the English curriculum: interpretation of a variety of literary genres including myths, novels, nonfiction and poetry; the writing process, including both grammar and composition; and the research process. The literature for this course requires strong analytical skills because of its advanced reading level. This class will have an assigned summer reading assignment. Prerequisite: 90th percentile on the Explore in English and Reading and A/B in 113. There will be a summer requirement.
131 American Literature & Composition 3 – Fundamentals - Grade 11 (1 credit)
At a modified pace, the first semester provides a chronological approach to American literature and is designed to help the student understand and appreciate the major writers from 1492 to 1850, their works, and the various genres in which they expressed themselves. The second semester provides a chronological approach to American literature from 1850 to the present. The course stresses reading comprehension, writing with emphasis on the moderate length essay, the research process, and review of grammar principles as they are related to the writing process. A research paper is required. There will be a summer requirement.
132 American Literature & Composition 3 - Grade 11 (1 credit)
The first semester provides a chronological approach to American literature and is designed to help the student understand and appreciate the major writers from 1492 to 1850, their works, and the various genres in which they expressed themselves. The second semester provides a chronological approach to American literature from 1850 to the present. The course stresses reading comprehension, writing with emphasis on the moderate length essay, the research process, and review of grammar principles as they are related to the writing process. A research paper is required. There will be a summer requirement.
134 *Honors American Literature & Composition 3 - Grade 11 (1.0 weight) (1 credit)
This course for above average students provides an in-depth study of American literature, its writers and genres. Using their analysis of literature as a basis, students develop, through frequent written assignments, skills in writing effective personal and expository essays. A research paper is required. This advanced college credit course satisfies the requirement of St. Louis University’s Process of Composition course. Students would be able to apply for three college credit hours from St. Louis University in the fall semester. Prerequisite: 90th percentile in English and Reading on the PLAN and A/B in 123. There will be a summer reading requirement.
141 British Literature & Composition 4 – Fundamentals - Grade 12 (1 credit)
This year-long course focuses on the helping students gain an understanding and appreciation of the various genres of British literature through the ages at a modified pace. Classroom discussions coupled with student essays help make connections between the literature, the context in which the literature was written, and modern ideas and values. Students are required to write a variety of essays and a research paper for the course.
142 British Literature & Composition 4 - Grade 12 (1 credit)
This year-long course focuses on helping students gain an understanding and appreciation of the various genres of British literature through the ages. Classroom discussions coupled with student essays help make connections between the literature, the context in which the literature was written, and modern ideas and values. Students are required to write a variety of essays and a research paper for the course.
144 *Honors British Literature & Composition 4 - Grade 12 (1.0 weight) (1 credit)
This course for college-ready students includes reading, writing, and discussion experiences, involving primarily writers who best represent the different periods in British literature. Using literature read, students further develop skills of analytical reading, critical thinking and research methodology. Through frequent writing assignments, oral presentations and analytical quizzes, the course seeks to help students integrate their own reasoned opinions with the fruits of reading and research. This advanced college credit course satisfies the requirements for St. Louis University’s Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research (3 hours) and Literary Styles (3 hours). The student must have taken the English 134 course. Prerequisite: 90th percentile in English and Reading on PLAN and A/B in 134. There will be a summer reading requirement.
THE FOLLOWING COURSES ARE ELECTIVES. THEY DO NOT REPLACE THE REQUIRED COURSES.
148 Creative Writing - Grades 11, 12 (0.5 credit)
This elective course explores all facets of the writing process from developing awareness to the creation and revision of poetry, short stories, and essays. The course is for those who are serious about writing, who enjoy the process of writing, and who wish to sharpen their powers of observation, explore their own experiences, and sharpen their writing skills and style.
159 Film Studies – Grades 11, 12 (0.5 credit)
This elective course intends to explore all facets of various “literary” forms through the medium of film. Some of the topics covered are the following: what makes a “great” film, various styles and genres, and a study or the history of film. The goal of the course is to develop visual literacy skills that will ultimately deepen students’ understanding of film as an art form. Although not specifically a writing course, film review, essay writing, and written analysis will provide an opportunity to advance these specific skills.
900 Yearbook - Grades 11, 12 (1 credit)
This class is for the production staff of the yearbook. Students learn how to construct basic layouts and how to write yearbook copy, including captions and headlines. Students are also involved in taking and developing pictures. Learning to use computer design techniques is an integral part of this course. Students are required to submit an application for instructor approval.