English Language Arts

10th Grade - World Literature and Composition
11th Grade - American Literature and Composition  
12th Grade - Multicultural Literature and Composition 

AP English Language and Composition/American Literature
AP English Literature and Composition 
British Literature and Composition (Honors Only)
Dramatic Writing

American Literature and Composition  – 23.05100

This course focuses on the study of American literature, writing modes and genres, and essential conventions for reading, writing, and speaking. The student develops an understanding of chronological context and the relevance of period structures in American literature.  The students develop an understanding of the ways the period of literature affects its structure and how the chronology of a work affects its meaning.  The students read a variety of informational and literary texts in all genres and modes of discourse.   While expository writing is the focus in American literature, the students will also demonstrate competency in a variety of writing genres:  narrative, persuasive, and technical.  The student will engage in research, timed writing, and the writing process.  Instruction in language conventions will occur within the context of reading, writing, and speaking.

british Literature/Composition  – 23.05200

This course focuses on the study of British literature and informational texts, writing modes and genres, and essential conventions for reading, writing, and speaking. The students develop an understanding of chronological context and the relevance of period structures in British literature. The students develop an understanding of the ways the period of literature affects its structure and how the chronology of a work affects its meaning. The students encounter a variety of informational and literary texts and read texts in all genres and modes of discourse. Reading across the curriculum develops the students’ academic and personal interests in different subjects. While the continued focus is expository writing in British literature, the student will also demonstrate competency in argumentative and narrative genres.The students will engage in research, the impact that technology has on writing, timed writing, and the writing process. Instruction in language conventions will occur within the context of reading, writing, and speaking, rather than in isolation. The students demonstrate an understanding of speaking and listening skills for a variety of purposes.

AP ENGLISH Language and Composition/american literature –  23.05300

Requires teacher approval

This course focuses on the study of American literature and informational texts, embracing its rhetorical nature and recognizing the literature as a platform for argument. It also emphasizes a variety of writing modes and genres and the essential conventions of reading, writing, and speaking. The students will develop an understanding of how historical context in American literature affects its structure, meaning, and rhetorical stance. The course will enable students to become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts. The students will encounter a variety of informational, literary, and non-print texts from across the curriculum and read texts in all genres and modes of discourse, as well as visual and graphic images. Instruction in language conventions and essential vocabulary will occur within the context of reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The students will demonstrate an understanding of listening and for a variety of purposes. This course will focus on the consideration of subject, occasion, audience, purpose, speaker, and tone as the guide for effective writing, as well as the way generic conventions and resources of language contribute to writing effectiveness. The students will compose a variety of writing, including expository, analytical, and argumentative writings which support the academic and professional communication required by colleges; and personal and reflective writings which support the development of writing facility in any context. The students will produce responses to timed writing assignments, as well as writing that proceeds through several stages or drafts, which include opportunities for revision guided by feedback from teacher and peers. Students will analyze primary and secondary sources and develop the research skills needed to effectively synthesize these sources for their writing. An AP syllabus must be submitted and approved by the College Board. (This literature module must be taught in the 11th grade and is recommended as a designated substitute for American Literature.) 

World Literature and Composition –  23.06300

This course focuses on a study of world literature and informational texts; the students develop an understanding of chronological context and the relevance of period structures in literature within world cultures. A focus is to explore the ways the work’s place of origin affects its structure and how the chronology of a literary work affects its meaning. The students develop an understanding of literature as both a culture’s product and a culture-bearer. An exploration of commonalities and differences among works of literature from different times and places in the world is a major component. The students will read across the curriculum to develop academic and personal interests in different subjects.

AP ENGLISH Literature and Composition – 23.06500

Requires teacher approval

The course focuses on an intensive study of representative works from various literary genres and periods. The focus is on the complexity and thorough analysis of literary works. The students will explore the social and historical values that works reflect and embody. The textual detail and historical context provide the foundation for interpretation: the experience of literature, the interpretation of literature, and the evaluation of literature. Writing to evaluate a literary work involves making and explaining judgments about its artistry and exploring its underlying social and cultural values through analysis, interpretation, and argument (e.g. expository, analytical, and argumentative essays). The writers will develop stylistic maturity: strong vocabulary, sentence variety, and effective use of rhetoric to maintain voice. An AP syllabus will be submitted and approved by the College Board.

multicultural literature And Composition  – 23.06700

The course focuses on world literature and informational texts by and about people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Students explore themes of linguistic and cultural diversity by comparing, contrasting, analyzing, and critiquing writing styles and universal themes. The students write argumentative, expository, narrative, analytical, and response essays. A research component is critical. The students observe and listen critically and respond appropriately to written and oral communication. Conventions are essential for reading, writing, and speaking. Instruction in language conventions will, therefore, occur within the context of reading, writing, and speaking rather than in isolation. The students understand and acquire new vocabulary and use it correctly in reading, writing, and speaking.

Dramatic Writing  – 52.09200

Applies skills to culminate in creating and developing dramatic writing for theatrical media with special emphasis on film and television. Includes development of “writerly stance” by reading, viewing, and analyzing tests and visual media from a writer’s point of view, with focus on understanding the construction process and including the application of conventions of standard English grammar and usage.  Note:  This course meets the fourth English Language Arts core requirement.  Students who successfully complete this course will receive 1 Fine Arts credit for Dramatic Writing (52.09200) AND1 ELA credit for Advanced Composition (23.03400).