English

Department Philosophy

The English Department selects classical canonical literature and contemporary pieces to demonstrate reading a text perceptively and to foster a love for and an appreciation of the written word. The department gives students the tools to become critical thinkers who can articulate opinions within the classroom, express their thoughts in their written papers, and add their voices to discussions in public settings. The department works closely to construct the foundation of literary analyses and expository writing.

Each course teaches students to understand better the content and meaning of literature, to construct a cogent argument in a thesis paper, and, ultimately, to evaluate and appreciate literature. Courses focus on literary genres, great writers, major themes in literature, and historical surveys along with the close reading of noteworthy literary passages. Formal and informal essays and research papers also serve as vehicles for intellectual development. Vocabulary enrichment forms an integral part of each course. At the conclusion of her study of English, a student will think critically, write coherently with a developing voice, appreciate fine literature, and be well prepared for the next level of her education.

English Course Expectations

• AP English
• British Literature
• English II
• Masterworks
• Short Story and Novel

Faculty

Summer Reading List 2008

Curriculum

ENGLISH 1

The focus of this course is the development of effective reading and writing skills, pursued through two major areas: the study of literature and the transferring of students’ ideas into written form, encouraging proper grammar and appropriate vocabulary. The literature text is used to introduce short story, poetry, drama, and mythology and to acquaint the students with certain terms needed in the analysis of literature. Readings focus on helping students achieve better comprehension, which then may be shared in class discussion or written assignments. Regular course readings may be supplemented with outside readings. Writing assignments are designed to encourage students to think critically about the literature and then to articulate their interpretations. Writing assignments are designed to help students understand composition as a process; to accomplish this goal, extensive prewriting, drafting, and revising are encouraged and assigned. While the course assumes a competence in the basic language arts skills, writing assignments may also be used to reinforce rules of grammar.

ENGLISH 1 HONORS

English 1 Honors examines the different genres of literature (i.e., prose, poetry, and drama), emphasizing the different forms and techniques utilized by authors. Frequent writing assignments and oral presentations encourage students to use their own critical thinking skills and demonstrate them in written form and in daily class discussions. The introduction and implementation of writing as a process form the basis for the writing program. Assignments are structured to utilize this process with specific guidelines and time frame. Vocabulary enrichment is an integral part of the course. Vocabulary skills are developed to reach the caliber of writing required for this course and to prepare for success on the SAT. Outside readings will be expected of each student throughout the year. The scope, depth, and pace of this course exceed those of the standard English 1 course.

ENGLISH 2

English 2 builds upon the foundations established in English 1 in the areas of literature, writing, and vocabulary. Through the study of the novel, the short story, poetry, non-fiction, and drama, which includes a Shakespearean play, the literary terms taught in English 1 are utilized to deepen a student’s literary analysis skills. Throughout the year more sophisticated terminology is introduced. Students are taught the concepts of an argument and concession that is central to supporting and developing a thesis in an analytical essay. Vocabulary development is addressed on a regular basis. An outside reading is assigned each quarter. Upon her completion of English 2, the student has increased confidence in her writing and analytical skills and should reflect more deeply on literature.

U.S. LITERATURE HONORS

Students who excel in English and who are interested in Honors and A.P. courses are the prime candidates for this survey course of American Literature. Students of this class study the literature of the United States from the colonial period to the middle 20th century, paying particular attention to the various ways in which American history and culture have influenced writers and literary movements. Students read and interpret works by Thomas Jefferson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, Edith Wharton, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and many others. Outside reading is required every quarter, often a work of literature by a new American voice. A student’s ability to interpret and evaluate literature in oral and written form is central to this course. The acquisition of advanced composition skills is fostered through frequent writing assignments, and a standard vocabulary text is used. Assessment will be based on frequent quizzes, tests, formal essays, outside reading, oral presentation, and one literary analysis research paper.

U. S. LITERATURE

This course approaches the literature of the United States from the perspective of the great American writers such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, Mark Twain, Edith Wharton, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Arthur Miller. Students are taught that each writer is a voice for the age as well as a product of the time. Students will become familiar with the cultural/historical background of each era and its influence upon the literature of that respective time period. At the conclusion of this course they will have a greater understanding of our cultural roots, unique American themes, and concepts that define us as a people. Critical analysis, the continued development of writing skills, and vocabulary enrichment are the focal points of the course. Grammar review will be addressed based on student needs. Expository writing is integral to the course and stress is placed on strengthening thesis statements and polishing style while maintaining unity, clarity, and coherence. Quarterly outside readings and an end-of-the-year research paper are required of every student.

BRITISH LITERATURE HONORS

This course approaches the literature of England chronologically from the Anglo-Saxon period to the late nineteenth century, possibly into the twentieth century. Students will become familiar with the cultural/ historical background of each era and with its influence upon the literature of that respective time period. Critical analysis, the continued development of writing skills, and vocabulary enrichment are the focal points of the course. Grammar review will be addressed based on student needs. Composition studies are integral to the course and stress is placed on polishing style while maintaining unity, clarity, and coherence. Quarterly outside readings and an end-of-the-year research paper are required of every student. As this course receives honors credit, more is expected of the student regarding independent study, motivation, and desire to learn.

SHORT STORY AND NOVEL

Through the study of the literary genres of short story and novel, the student learns to improve her literary analysis skills, appreciate different literary styles, think more deeply, write in a more mature voice, and realize that she is a citizen of the world. The instructor chooses representative selections from American, British, and World Literature. The curriculum focuses primarily on more contemporary literature which provides opportunities for the student to deepen her understanding of how to approach modern writing. Students study authors such as Jane Austen, James Joyce, Tim O’Brien, John Steinbeck, William Faulkner, Chinua Achebe, Sherman Alexia, and Jhumpa Lahari.

The college essay is a requirement of Quarter 1. Analytical papers are usually assigned upon completing one novel or a group of short stories. Some personal writing is also required. An outside reading is assigned each quarter. Each student is guided through a mandatory analysis paper based on an acclaimed work of fiction.

After completing this course a student is well prepared for her college level English class, for she will read more critically, write with a clear writer’s voice, and articulate thoughtful insights about literature. Her perspective on the world, via literature, will be broader, and she will appreciate and understand various cultures and peoples of the globe.

WOMEN IN LITERATURE

The literature in this course features strong female protagonists who face a variety of issues and conflicts. The social mores of the time period, the individual’s religious and ethical values as well as her socioeconomic background are explored to justify why the character makes particular choices or decisions or how she reacts to circumstances foisted upon her by society.

Frequently the works of female authors such as Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte, Kate Chopin, Zora Neale Hurston, Edith Wharton, Joyce Carol Oates, Margaret Atwood, Alice Walker, George Eliot, and Anita Diamant are used as vehicles to explore the issues of importance to women as encountered by the protagonist. However, the male perspective is also incorporated through the literature of Henrik Ibsen, William Shakespeare, and Geoffrey Chaucer, as well as more contemporary authors.

Through the course of study, students will sharpen literary analysis skills, gain a greater enthusiasm for literature, and develop a strong, articulate voice in their written and oral expression.

The college essay is a requirement of Quarter 1. Nightly reading assignments, varied writing assignments, regularly assigned outside readings per quarter, and the continuation of vocabulary enrichment will be integral parts of the course. A term paper based on the literature explored either during the class sessions or summer reading is a course requirement.

MASTERWORKS OF LITERATURE HONORS

What makes a piece of literature a classic or masterwork? Why do some works written hundreds of years ago have a lasting power to impact readers to this day? Do these timeless pieces have some common themes or insights into life? How do they differ from popular fiction that has little to no staying power? This course will attempt to shed light on these questions and offer some possible explanations as to why some works are considered canonical while others are considered simply commercial. Throughout the course of the year, students will study many literary classics with the expectation that they will be able to draw their own conclusions as to what comprises a masterwork. Critical analysis and the continued development of writing skills are the focus points of the course. Grammar review and vocabulary will be addressed based on student needs. Expository writing is integral to the course and stress is placed on polishing style while maintaining unity, clarity, and coherence. Frequent outside readings and an end-of the-year research paper are required of every student. The writing of the college essay is a requirement of Quarter 1. As this course receives honors credit, more is expected of the student regarding independent study, motivation, and desire to learn.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH

A.P. English deepens the student’s appreciation for and an understanding of fine literature. The A.P. English student is expected to read insightfully and contribute to class discussions. She has many varied opportunities to develop a more mature voice and sophisticated writing style. The final goal of this course is to prepare students for success on the Advanced Placement Examination in May.

Advanced Placement students may study the following writers: Cormac McCarthy, Leo Tolstoy, James Joyce, John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Richard Wright, Zora Neale Hurston, Henrik Ibsen, Sophocles, and William Shakespeare. Poets may range from Marge Piercy to John Donne, Matthew Arnold to William Shakespeare. Close readings of such acclaimed authors improves a student's strong analytical skills and enjoyment of literature.

Summer readings are required and discussed in class. The writing of the college essay is required in Quarter 1. A comparison/contrast of two novels by one author is the important paper assigned in Quarter 2. A comparison between the works of a "dead" poet and a living poet is a major component of Quarter 3. Throughout this course students are required to answer sample questions from the A. P. exam, read outside novels and/or plays, write shorter papers based on the literature studied, and present oral and written analyses of works studied independently.

COMMUNICATION: SPEECH/MEDIA

This course is an introduction to communication with an emphasis on public speaking and various aspects of media. It is designed to strengthen the students' communication skills by examining the unique elements of the various forms of human communication in an effort to identify, understand, and control these elements. It has value to all students because the ideas and concepts examined in the course are vital to any meaningful human communication and interaction. During the first semester students are exposed to theories and concepts dealing with the elements, processes, and types of communication and public speaking. During the second semester, previously discussed themes are reiterated as students become familiar with different media outlets, namely, oral interpretation of literature, drama, radio, television, and film.

This elective course does not fulfill the English requirement for graduation.