English Course Offerings

The focus of this class is two-fold: to strengthen research and composition skills and to develop analytical thinking skills through the examination of the different genres of literature, with an emphasis on ancient and medieval literature, and classical themes. Much time will be devoted, as well, to vocabulary building. Students will master the expository, persuasive, and critical analysis forms of writing, as well as the research paper. The literature study will encompass a survey of epic and lyric poetry, the short story, drama, allegory, and the novel. Students are required to complete summer reading and accompanying assignment(s) prior to the first day of school.

Prerequisites: None

Grade 9 · Full Year · 1 Credit

The honors course begins with the assumption of a greater fluidity with writing and a greater aptitude for reading comprehension and textual analysis. From there, the class focuses on consistently building vocabulary to enhance the more challenging reading and analytical writing that will spring from the study of many different literary genres. The literary emphasis will be on ancient literature, yet will include works from the Renaissance, the Victorian era, and the 20th century as well. Students are required to complete summer reading and an accompanying assignment prior to the start of school.

Prerequisites: 8th Grade English with 93 average · Departmental Approval · Acceptable score on a written essay

Grade 9 · Full Year · 1 Credit

This course surveys seminal works of European literature, including lyric poetry, folk tales (old and new), drama, and the epic. Special attention will be paid to developing vocabulary and writing about literature. Students are required to complete summer reading and an accompanying assignment prior to the start of school.

Prerequisites: None

Grade 10 · Full Year · 1 Credit

This course surveys seminal works of European literature, including lyric poetry, tragedy, the epic, the romance, and the estates satire. Authors studied include Shakespeare, Dante, and Chaucer. Students will write at least one analytical essay per quarter, as well as structured creative works in imitation of the literature they are studying. Students are required to complete summer reading and an accompanying assignment prior to the start of school.

Prerequisites: Composition & Literature with 90 average or Honors Composition & Literature with 85 average · Departmental Approval

Grade 10 · Full Year · 1 Credit

This course will survey the development of literature in the United States. Students will read several classic American novels and plays, in addition to a variety of prose and poetry selections from the anthology. In addition to completing a research project, students will produce narrative and literary analysis papers. Prior to the first day of school, students are required to complete a summer reading assignment.

Prerequisites: None

Grade 11 · Full Year · 1 Credit

The Honors course begins with the assumption of a greater fluidity with writing and a greater aptitude for reading comprehension and textual analysis. This course will survey the development of literature in the United States. Students will read several classic American novels and plays, in addition to a variety of prose and poetry selections from the anthology. Poetry will receive special emphasis. In addition to completing a longer, in-depth research project, students will produce narrative, literary analysis, and literary argument papers. Prior to the first day of school, students are required to complete a summer reading assignment.

Prerequisites: European Literature with 90 average or Honors European Literature with 85 average · Departmental Approval

Grade 11 · Full Year · 1 Credit

*Note: The recent average PSAT Reading score for AP students has been 32.

AP English Literature and Composition is a college-level course designed to engage students in the critical analysis of literature. It requires students to interact analytically through intensive study of representative texts from various genres and periods, concentrating on works of recognized literary merit. Through the close reading of selected texts, students should deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers through a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, tone, etc. In the spring, students will complete the AP English Literature and Composition exam. Summer reading and written work (due the first week of class) are required to maintain enrollment.

Prerequisites: Honors European Literature with 85 average · Departmental Approval

Grade 11 · Full Year · 1 Credit

This course will examine an array of literary genres, including the novel, short story, personal essay, sermon, song lyrics, Biblical text, memoir, and poetry, from a diverse array of cultures and authors. Students will be required to write a variety of essays and other modalities, including an academic synthesis essay in a film unit, a final reflective essay, literary analysis paragraphs, and poetry. Prior to the first day of school, students are required to complete summer reading.

Prerequisites: None

Grade 12 · Full Year · 1 Credit

This fast-paced, rigorous course will examine an array of literary genres, including the novel, short story, personal essay, sermon, song lyrics, Biblical text, memoir, and poetry, from a diverse array of cultures and authors. Students will be required to write a variety of essays and other modalities, including an academic synthesis essay in a film unit, a final reflective essay, literary analysis paragraphs, and poetry. Prior to the first day of school, students are required to complete summer reading. 

Prerequisites: American Literature with 90 average or Honors American Literature with 85 average · Departmental Approval

Grade 12 · Full Year · 1 Credit

*The recent average PSAT Reading and Writing and Language scores for AP students have been 32.

This course focuses on writing and analysis of non-fiction prose. Students will explore how others write effectively through a study of rhetorical analysis and various modes of writing, such as journalistic, evaluative, persuasive, satirical, narrative, descriptive, argumentative, analytical, compare and contrast, and synthesis. In addition, students will focus on critical reading skills so that they will be able to not only understand what the text is communicating but also how writers use the English language and artists use images to manipulate those effects convincingly. In the spring, students will complete the AP English Language and Composition exam. Summer reading and written work (due the first week of class) are required to maintain enrollment.

Students will explore the art of creative writing by investigating various genres of literature and writing; reading closely with an eye on technique, style, and voice; writing creatively in a variety of genres and with various foci; and presenting their own work through peer editing, author’s chair readings, and publishing. Students will keep a writing journal and will submit a portfolio of original compositions at the course's end.

*This course does not count toward the fulfillment of a student’s credit requirement in English.

Prerequisites: None

Grade 9/10/11/12 · 1 Semester · .5 Credit

This one-semester elective will cover the literature and music of the American Civil Rights era from its beginnings in American spirituals and blues, through Reconstruction and after (1865-1919), the Harlem Renaissance (1919-1940), and Modernism to the present. Students will read and listen to a variety of speeches, songs, sermons, poems, short stories, and plays in the context of major events of the American Civil Rights movement. Authors include, but are not limited to, Frederick Douglass, the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Sojourner Truth, Booker T. Washington, WEB DuBois, Zora Neale Hurston, Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, Daniel Berrigan, Nikki Giovanni, and Maya Angelou. Along with the texts, students will gain an understanding of the role of music in the Civil Rights movement, including the blues, spirituals, rhythm & blues, gospel, jazz, and hip hop. The class will integrate the Catholic social teaching themes of solidarity, the dignity of every human person, and care for the poor and vulnerable, especially in relation to the civil rights ideal of the Beloved Community. 

*This course does not count toward the fulfillment of a student’s credit requirement in English.

Prerequisites: None

Grade 11/12 · 1 Semester · .5 Credit

This one-semester elective course will explore the art of storytelling and the pleasure of children’s literature, surveying various authors and illustrators. Genres surveyed will include folk and fairy tales, picture books, early readers, fantasy, fiction, poetry, and historical fiction. Students will keep a writing journal, lead a class discussion on the thematic patterns found in classical and contemporary literature, and present authors and illustrators as book reviews.

*This course does not count toward the fulfillment of a student’s credit requirement in English.

Prerequisites: None

Grade 9/10/11/12 · 1 Semester · .5 Credit

This one-semester, seminar-style, inquiry-based course will analyze selected films, emphasizing the relevance of these films to American culture. Issues of personal and cultural identity, assimilation, segregation, and political struggle are particularly explored. Films are examined both as cultural products and as a vehicle for personal and group expression. 

Prerequisites: None

Grade 11/12 · 1 Semester · .5 Credit

Composition & Literature · 501

Honors Composition & Literature · 511

Creative Writing · 507

Children's Literature · 521

European Literature · 502

Honors European Literature · 512

Creative Writing · 507

Children's Literature · 521

American Literature · 503

Honors American Literature · 513

AP English Literature & Composition · 550

Creative Writing · 507

Film & Media · 510

Literature & Music of the American Civil Rights Movement · 518

Children's Literature · 521

Modern Literature · 504

Honors Modern Literature · 514

AP Language & Composition · 551

Creative Writing · 507

Film & Media · 510

Literature & Music of the American Civil Rights Movement · 518

Children's Literature · 521