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Course Descriptions - English
The purpose of English Literature & Composition studies is to help students learn to read critically; to write and speak clearly, thoughtfully, and correctly; to listen intelligently; to appreciate good literature and worthwhile current publications; and to understand the evolution, structure, and function of the English language.
HUMANITIES PROGRAM
Humanities courses are year-long, and are team taught by one English Literature & Composition teacher and one Social Studies teacher. This program is suitable for students intending to continue their formal education after high school. Students will be required to complete two summer reading books: one that is assigned and given to students and one that they choose from the book list. Work with poetry, drama, short literary pieces, grammar, and vocabulary is ongoing. An average of 30 minutes per evening of English Literature and Composition homework is expected of the students in this program.
ENGLISH LITERATURE & COMPOSITION ADVANCED PLACEMENT PROGRAM
Students accepted into the junior year AP Language and Composition course and the senior year Literature and Composition course are dedicated to the study of literature and the English language, accomplished writers, analytical readers and critical thinkers. They are required to complete additional summer reading and writing requirements and are expected to complete the AP exam in the spring. The junior AP Language & Composition course meets for 90 minutes each day first semester and for 45-minutes semester 2.
ENGLISH LITERATURE & COMPOSITION HONORS PROGRAM
Students in English Literature & Composition Honors classes will have demonstrated advanced reading, writing and critical thinking skills. Course study includes:
• Extensive in-class and out-of-class reading include summer reading assignments and several
novels, plays, poems and other background or critical materials.
• Weekly short writing assignments and three to six longer, polished writing assignments
requiring drafts and revisions outside of class time
• Regular oral reports, individually or in panels
• Essay tests to demonstrate critical abilities and understanding of works covered in class
• Comprehensive final exams
• On-going work with higher order vocabulary, spelling and grammar
Once a student has enrolled in an advanced level section, schedule restrictions make it difficult to transfer to a less demanding section during the school year. Students will not be released from the section because of dissatisfaction with the degree of difficulty of assignments and work.
In some situations, students may find themselves placed in an academic level that is not appropriate for them. In these situations, a meeting with the student’s school counselor, parent, current teacher, and if possible, a new academic level teacher, can be arranged to consider the possibility of a schedule change. This process should occur as early in the academic semester as possible. A grade of 75% or lower in an honors course could result in such a review.
Note: A detailed description of the English Literature and Composition Honors and Advanced Placement process for academic-level change is available from your school counselor or the English Literature and Composition Department head teacher.
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