English Department Courses

Advanced Composition / English Literature / Grade 12

This course develops the students' ability to write analytical/expository essays through formulation of thesis, logical arrangement of ideas, and thorough presentation of evidence. It prepares students for college placement, for example, the CSU English Placement Test (EPT), and the UC Subject A. Students study representative selections of major authors from Great Britain.. Activities stress interpretation, increasing knowledge and understanding of the historical context of the literature, and the development of critical and imaginative faculties.

Prerequisites: 
American Literature / Composition AE with an A or American Literature / Composition Honors with a B or better - and portfolio assessment.
Required reading: 
Survey British fiction and nonfiction from the fifth to the 21st century and the following major works: Hamlet, Tess of the D'urbervilles, and one modern piece.
Expected homework: 
Approximately four to five hours a week.
Other aspects/requirements: 
Independent reading of two full length works, a literature-based research project, and some creative writing.
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

Advanced Composition / World Literature / Grade 12

This course develops the students' ability to write analytical/expository essays through formulation of thesis, logical arrangement of ideas, and thorough presentation of evidence. It prepares students for college placement, for example, the CSU English Placement Test (EPT), and the UC Subject A. Students examine literary genre through representative works from at least three national literatures in addition to Greek and Roman literature. Activities stress interpretation, increasing knowledge and understanding of the historical context of the literature, and the development of critical and imaginative faculties.

Prerequisites: 
American Literature / Composition AE with an A or American Literature / Composition Honors with a B or better - and portfolio assessment.
Required reading: 
Survey of representative writings from ancient Greece to contemporary times.
Expected homework: 
Survey of representative writings from ancient Greece to contemporary times.
Other aspects/requirements: 
Independent reading, a literature-based research project, and group projects.
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

Advanced Placement English Language AB / Grade 11

This course provides experiences in literature as the product of the intellectual, economic, social and political trends that create the modern United States. Students analyze and discuss issues. Writing assignments emphasize the analytical/expository domain and include a term project. In addition students read at the college level and write college level essays to prepare them for the AP examination. This class is qualitatively different from H/AE American Literature and Composition.

Prerequisites: 
Honors English 10AB with a B or better and portfolio assessment.
Required reading: 
Survey of representative American writings from seventeenth to the twentieth centuries; core and extended literature, for example, The Crucible, The Scarlet Letter, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Black Boy, The Red Badge of Courage, Death of a Salesman, Ethan Frome, The Great Gatsby, Invisible Man, and independent reading for term project.
Expected homework: 
Approximately four hours a week.
Other aspects/requirements: 
Assigned summer reading, library research/project, class participation, oral presentations, and vocabulary study.
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition AB / Grade 12

Designed for the honors student, this college level course focuses on reading challenging literature and writing mature interpretation. Students examine the historical and cultural context of the literature, discuss major issues, analyze style, and prepare for the Advanced Placement Examination in English Literature and Composition, for which they may receive college credit.

Prerequisites: 
American Literature and Composition Honors with an A or Advanced Placement English Language / American Literature Honors with a B or better - and both portfolio assessment and teacher recommendation.
Required reading: 
Selected short pieces of American, English, and world literature and major works, for example, Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, a Doll's House, and Catch-22.
Expected homework: 
Approximately five to six hours per week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Assigned summer reading; library research, including electronic sources; one literature-based research paper each semester; class participation; oral presentations; and group projects.
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

American Literature / Contemporary Composition AB / Grade 11

This course provides understanding of recurrent themes and genres in U.S. Literature. Instruction focuses on integrated language arts and developing the writing process. Activities include writing for personal, vocational, and academic purposes; speaking effectively in group discussion; and critical thinking.

Prerequisites: 
English 10AB
Required reading: 
Survey of representative American writings from the seventeenth to the twentieth century, including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Black Boy, a play by Arthur Miller, selected short fiction and nonfiction, and poetry.
Expected homework: 
Approximately three hours a week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Independent reading, vocabulary study, library paper/project, and group project/s
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

American Literature / Contemporary Composition AB AE / Grade 11

In an integrated language arts framework, this course provides experience in literature as the product of the intellectual, economic, social, and political trends that create the modern United States. Writing assignments emphasize the analytical/expository domain and include a term project.

Prerequisites: 
English 10AB AE with a B or better and portfolio assessment or recommendation of English 10AB teacher and portfolio assessment.
Required reading: 
Survey of representative American writings from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries; core and extended literature, for example, The Crucible, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Black Boy, The Red Badge of Courage, Death of a Salesman; independent reading for term project.
Expected homework: 
Approximately four hours a week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Library research/project; class participation, oral presentations; vocabulary study; group project/s.
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

American Literature / Contemporary Composition AB Honors / Grade 11

This course provides experiences in literature as the product of the intellectual, economic, social, and political trends that create the modern United States. Students analyze and discuss issues. Writing assignments emphasize the analytical/expository domain and include a term project. This class is qualitatively different from American Literature and Composition AE.

Prerequisites: 
Honors English 10AB Honors with a B or better and portfolio assessment or recommendation of 10AB AE teacher and portfolio assessment.
Required reading: 
Survey of representative American writings form the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries; core and extended literature, for example, The Crucible, The Scarlet Letter, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Black Boy, The Red Badge of Courage, Death of a Salesman; Ethan Frome, The Great Gatsby, Invisible Man; independent reading for term project.
Expected homework: 
Approximately four hours a week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Library research/project, class participation, oral presentations vocabulary study
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

Basic Communication Skills AB

This class, designed for students with a reading ability level at fifth grade or below, provides diagnosis of reading problems and a sequential development of reading skills. Activities include preparation for High School Exit Exam and the Stanford 9. Emphasizing subject matter courses, instructional units build the self-esteem of the learners, expand interest in reading, and increase the efficiency and effectiveness with which students read.

Prerequisites: 
Reading ability level at 5th grade or below
Required reading: 
Assigned according to students' skills
Expected homework: 
Independent reading is encouraged.
Meets requirements for: 
high school elective.

Creative Writing / Grade 10–12  (One-semester course)

This class provides opportunities to develop, and refine skills of written expression through instruction and practice in various literary forms, including prose sketch, short story, essay, dramatic dialogue, and poetry. The content includes reading in the major genres, individual and group evaluation, oral participation, and exercises in observing, analyzing, and organizing for effective expression. Students produce individual writing projects.

Prerequisites: 
English 9AB
Required reading: 
Drama, short stories, poetry, novels, essays, TV scripts, radio scripts
Expected homework: 
Approximately three hours a week
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

English 10AB

Continuing the integrated language arts curriculum, this class reinforces and extends communication skills. Students participate in a prescribed and independent reading program, which focuses on English and world literature and includes novels, plays, short stories, biography, essays, and poetry. Students compose descriptive paragraphs and essays to support opinion, to persuade, to speculate about cause and effect, and to evaluate.

Prerequisites: 
English 9AB
Required reading: 
Arthurian legends, Lord of the Flies, Julius Caesar, "The Monkey's Paw," sonnets, and selected fiction and nonfiction.
Expected homework: 
Approximately three hours a week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Reading additional fiction and nonfiction, developing vocabulary, reviewing research skills, and producing group project/s.
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

English 10AB AE

In addition to the core works of the English 10AB integrated language arts curriculum, reading includes more challenging selections and writing focuses on skills for the college-bound student. Activities include the writing process and practice in critical thinking.

Prerequisites: 
English 9AB AE with a B or better and portfolio assessment: or recommendation of English 9AB teacher and portfolio assessment.
Required reading: 
Arthurian legends, Lord of the Flies, Brave New World, Julius Caesar, "The Monkey's Paw," sonnets, and selected fiction and nonfiction.
Expected homework: 
Approximately four hours a week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Extended and independent reading of additional fiction and nonfiction, developing vocabulary, reviewing research skills, composing a library paper/project, and producing group project/s.
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

English 10AB Honors

In addition to the core works of the English 10AB integrated language arts curriculum, extended reading includes more challenging selections and writing focuses on skills for the college-bound student. Activities include the writing process, timed writings, and practice in critical thinking. This class is qualitatively different from English 10AB AE

Prerequisites: 
English 9AB Honors with a B or better and portfolio assessment; or recommendation of English 9AB AE teacher and portfolio assessment.
Required reading: 
Arthurian legends or Once and Future King, Tale of Two Cities, Brave New World, 1984, Julius Caesar, "The Monkey's Paw," sonnets, and selected fiction and nonfiction, representing English literature.
Expected homework: 
Approximately five hours a week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Extended and independent reading of additional fiction and nonfiction, developing vocabulary, reviewing research skills, composing a literature based library paper, and producing group project/s.
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

English 10AB Honors

In addition to the core works of the English 10AB integrated language arts curriculum, extended reading includes more challenging selections and writing focuses on skills for the college-bound student. Activities include the writing process, timed writings, and practice in critical thinking. This class is qualitatively different from English 10AB AE

Prerequisites: 
English 9AB Honors with a B or better and portfolio assessment; or recommendation of English 9AB AE teacher and portfolio assessment.
Required reading: 
Arthurian legends or Once and Future King, Tale of Two Cities, Brave New World, 1984, Julius Caesar, "The Monkey's Paw," sonnets, and selected fiction and nonfiction, representing English literature.
Expected homework: 
Approximately five hours a week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Extended and independent reading of additional fiction and nonfiction, developing vocabulary, reviewing research skills, composing a literature based library paper, and producing group project/s.
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

English 9AB

This course presents an integrated language arts curriculum. Students practice reading, writing, speaking, listening, and thinking. They interpret and reflect on a sampling of English and world literature; discuss issues; write paragraphs, business letters, and short essays; and prepare for the high school proficiency tests.

Prerequisites: 
English 8AB
Required reading: 
The Odyssey (excerpts), Romeo and Juliet, Great Expectations, a short story, poetry and selected nonfiction.
Expected homework: 
Approximately three hours a week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Reading additional fiction and nonfiction, developing vocabulary, writing a library paper, and producing group project/s. Recreational reading is encouraged.
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

English 9AB AE

In addition to the core works of the English 9AB integrated language arts curriculum, reading includes more challenging selections and writing focuses more on the short theme format.

Prerequisites: 
English 8AB and counselor recommendation
Required reading: 
The Odyssey (excerpts) Romeo and Juliet, Great Expectations, a short story, poetry and selected nonfiction.
Expected homework: 
Approximately four hours a week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Extended and independent reading of additional fiction and nonfiction, developing vocabulary, using technology for research composing a library paper, and producing group project/s.
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

English 9AB Honors

In addition to the core works of the English 9AB integrated language arts curriculum, extended reading includes more challenging selections. Students write interpretive and reflective essays. This class is qualitatively different from English 9AB and English 9AB AE.

Prerequisites: 
English 8AB Honors and teacher recommendation
Required reading: 
The Odyssey (excerpts), Romeo and Juliet, Great Expectations, and a short story, and selected nonfiction, representing world literature.
Expected homework: 
Approximately five hour a week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Extended and independent reading of additional fiction and nonfiction, developing vocabulary, composing a library paper, and producing group project/s.
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

Journalism 1AB / Grade 10–12

Course includes introductory training in writing news stories, feature articles, and editorials, and headlines for school newspapers.

Required reading: 
Textbooks and daily newspapers
Expected homework: 
Approximately four hours a week
Other aspects/requirements: 
Quizzes as needed
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

Journalism 2AB / Grade 11–12

Students strengthen and refine writing techniques through writing for the school newspaper, covering news beats, and meeting deadlines. Students learn to write news and feature stories, editorials, and reviews.

Prerequisites: 
Journalism 1AB or Journalism teacher's approval
Required reading: 
Local and school newspapers
Expected homework: 
As needed to meet deadlines
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

Speech A / Grade 9–12  (One-semester course)

This course provides experience in the study of speech fundamentals, practice in public speaking, and exercises in critical thinking. Content includes informal and formal speaking, panel discussions, oral interpretation of literature, beginning debate and drill in voice and speech mechanics.

Required reading: 
Speech textbook and research materials
Expected homework: 
Approximately three hours a week
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.

Speech B / Grade 9–12  (One-semester course)

Assignments in this course build upon Speech A exercises requiring longer speeches, more independent preparation, and more refined public speaking skills. Curriculum includes teaching and demonstrating Speech A lessons.

Prerequisites: 
Speech A or teacher permission
Required reading: 
Materials for speech preparation
Expected homework: 
Approximately three hours a week
Meets requirements for: 
high school, state colleges and universities.
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