Language Arts

• Study Skills (C10A/C10A)

  Two Semesters

  Prerequisite: Project Success Enrollment

  Study Skills is a course designed to provide freshman students with information and strategies to help them adjust to academic and social challenges encountered in high school. The emphasis will be on critical thinking, writing, organization, self-direction, and self-motivation. Students will be empowered with knowledge of learning theories and personal learning styles so they may become more efficient and independent learners. Additional topics will include: goal setting, time management, notetaking, memory improvement, content area reading, test taking, career exploration, and stress, relaxation, and recreation.

• English 9B (C12/C13)

  Two Semesters

  Prerequisite: Recommendation of Division Chairperson

  Students receive specialized instruction in reading skills, sentence construction, paragraphing, short story evaluation, and study of the novel. Constant evaluation of student progress is an important aspect of this course. Students may be regrouped during the year and possibly moved to an English 9W class whenever proficiency in material and concepts has been exhibited.

• English 9W (C14/C15)

  Two Semesters

  Prerequisite: Recommendation of Division Chairperson

  The first year English course provides a survey of language, literature, and composition geared to acquaint the student with basic concepts and terminology of all three units. The student will be studying the different genres of literature, the influence of language on communication, and the elements of paragraph and theme writing. The course ties all three areas together for the purpose of providing a solid background for future English courses. An outside reading requirement is an integral part of this course. Works include: To Kill a Mockingbird.

• English 9 Honors (C16/C17)

  Two Semesters

  Accelerated/Weighted

  Prerequisite: Recommendation of Division Chairperson

  The first year English course provides a survey of language, literature, and composition geared to acquaint the student with basic concepts and terminology of all three units. The student will be studying the different genres of literature, the influence of language on communication, and the elements of paragraph and theme writing. The course ties all three areas together for the purpose of providing a solid background for future English courses. An outside reading requirement is an integral part of this course. Works include: The Odyssey and To Kill a Mockingbird .

• Reading (C80/C81)

  Two Semesters

  (Reading Remediation)

  Prerequisite: Recommendation of Division Chairperson

  Students receive specialized instruction in vocabulary and comprehension skills. Diagnosis, prescriptive instruction, and constant evaluation of students' progress are crucial aspects of this course.

• English 10W (C24/C25)

  Two Semesters

  Prerequisite: Successful Completion of English 9 and recommendation of English 9 Teacher

  During the first semester, students will be involved with literature on a thematic basis. The class will attempt to see and to study the relationships between man's experience and the literature. Works include: A Separate Peace, Lord of the Flies, and Julius Caesar among others. Emphasis will be placed on vocabulary enrichment as well as individual reading assignments. The composition and the development of the classical expository theme are also areas of concentration. Outside reading is a requirement in English 10 classes.

  During the second semester, students will continue to be involved with literature approached on a thematic basis. Works include: Cry, the Beloved Country; Oedipus, The King; and The Glass Menagerie among others. Emphasis will be placed on vocabulary enrichment as well as individual assignments. Strong emphasis will be placed on composition and the development of the classical expository theme. Outside reading is a requirement in English 10 classes.

  Some instructional time will be dedicated to oral communication. This class fulfills the state requirement for speech instruction. Speech participation is required in order to receive credit for this class.

• English 10 Honors (C26/C27)

  Two Semesters

  Accelerated/Weighted

  Prerequisite: Successful Completion of English 9 and recommendation of English 9 Teacher

  During the first semester, students will be involved with literature on a thematic basis. The class will attempt to see and to study the relationships between man's experience and the literature. Works include: A Separate Peace, Lord of the Flies, and Julius Caesar among others. Emphasis will be placed on vocabulary enrichment as well as individual reading assignments. The composition and the development of the classical expository theme are also areas of concentration. Outside reading is a requirement in English 10 classes.

  During the second semester, students will continue to be involved with literature approached on a thematic basis. Works include: Cry, the Beloved Country ; Oedipus, The King; and The Glass Menagerie among others. Emphasis will be placed on vocabulary enrichment as well as individual assignments. Strong emphasis will be placed on composition and the development of the classical expository theme. Outside reading is a requirement in English 10 classes.

  Some instructional time will be dedicated to oral communication. This class fulfills the state requirement for speech instruction. Speech participation is required in order to receive credit for this class.

• Writing Skills (C72)

  One Semester

  Prerequisite: Sophomore English and recommendation of English 10 Teacher

  Intended for students identified as in need of remediation in composition skills.

  This course is designed to provide students with experience and instruction in written communication and is an extension of the 10B curriculum. It is also the course recommended for students from the English 10W or English 10H courses who have not demonstrated minimum proficiency in composition skills. Emphasis is placed on basic rules of grammar and usage, and students will be given a variety of assignments which will improve their abilities to write a coherent paragraph. Exit competency in basic essay writing is an expected outcome.

• Rhetoric I (C74)

  One Semester

  Prerequisite: Sophomore English

  Intended as the next course in the sequence for successful English 10 Honors and English 10W students.

  This course is designed to provide students with experience and instruction in written communication. It will consist of units in expository writing, the personal essay, and the elements of the research paper with additional emphasis on grammar, sentence construction, and vocabulary improvement. It is the prerequisite course for Rhetoric II & III. Weighted credit for this course is possible through the use of differentiated assignments.

• Rhetoric II (C75)

  One Semester

  Prerequisite: Rhetoric I (C or better) and teacher recommendation

  Students enrolled in this course are preparing themselves for advanced composition. Competency in basic expository theme writing is a prerequisite. Rhetoric II enhances the student's written communicative ability through the presentation, interpretation, integration, and evaluation of writing principles and written products. A research paper is required to earn credit in this course. This course provides a basic college preparatory level experience.

• Rhetoric III (C78)

  One Semester

  Prerequisite: Rhetoric I or American Studies and SENIOR STANDING

  This course is a continuation of the development of skills in exposition begun in Rhetoric I. In addition to the theme, emphasis will be placed on critical analysis and the research paper. Refinement of skills in the mechanics of writing and in style will be continuously handled. This course is recommended as the capstone of the college prep composition sequence.

• AP English--Literature and Composition(C46/C47)

  Two Semesters Weighted

  Prerequisites:

  • Recommendation of Junior English Teacher
    
  • Division Chairperson approval
    
  • Senior Standing

  This is a year long course which is intended to prepare students for the Advanced Placement - English Exam. It is available to seniors only. Students who register for this class will not elect Rhetoric III as an additional course.

  Students who wish to be considered for AP English must fill out the required forms prior to turning in the course selection sheet for next fall. AP students are expected to complete required summer reading in preparation for the fall semester.

• American Literature (C60)

  One Semester

  Prerequisite: Sophomore English

  Intended as an appropriate selection in the Language Arts sequence for successful English 10W and 10H students.

  This course will introduce the student to the main currents of American thought as expressed through short stories, poetry, essays, and novels. Emphasis is placed on the literary movements and traditions that are represented by a wide range of American authors. Through the use of differentiated assignments, it is possible for students to earn weighted credit for this course.

• British Literature (C64)

  One Semester

  Prerequisite: Sophomore English

  British Literature is studied against the historical background which produced it from the Pre-Anglo-Saxon Period through the 20th Century. Selections from the Anglo-Saxon, Middle English, and Elizabethan periods will be studied in depth. A majority of the semester will concentrate on two Shakespearean plays, Hamlet and Macbeth. Other exemplary authors include the Beowulf Poet, Chaucer, Milton, Donne, Swift, the Romantics, Dickens, Conrad, and others.

  This course is recommended for all college bound students.

  Through the use of differentiated assignments, it is possible for students to earn weighted credit for this course.

• American Studies (English) (C96/C97)

  Two Semesters

  May be weighted

  Prerequisite: Sophomore English

  Intended as an appropriate selection in the Language Arts sequence for successful English 10W and 10H students.

  American Studies is a year long, two-period team taught class which presents a combined survey study of the history and literature of the United States. Students who select this course must also select American Studies - Social Studies. The successful completion of the course will fulfill the following graduation requirements:

  • U.S. History (1 credit)
  • American Lit (1/2 credit-semester 1)
  • Rhetoric I (1/2 credit-semester 2)

  Students who do not successfully complete the entire year will be required to complete the Rhetoric I graduation requirement. Through the use of differentiated assignments, it is possible for students to earn weighted credit for this course.

• Drama/Stagecraft (C88)

  One Semester

  Prerequisite: Sophomore English

  This course is designed to provide in-class instruction and practice in the area of acting. Additionally the students will be exposed to the peripheral areas of lighting, set design, set construction and costuming. The student will be involved in class presentations. This course may be repeated one additional semester for students interested in advanced study.

• Introduction to Literature (C50)

  One Semester

  Prerequisite: Sophomore English and English 10 Teacher Recommendation

  Students will read novels, short stories, non-fiction selections, and other appropriate materials which will help to improve their fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. They will be introduced to the basic techniques for analyzing literature such as plot, characterization, conflict, theme, etc. A minimum of six writing assignments will be required.

• Individualized Literature (C82)

  One semester

  Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Standing

  In this course, students will be involved in a program of extensive reading. They will develop reading programs based on books chosen according to their interests and under the guidance and supervision of the teacher. Students will write several papers concerning their books as well as being involved in group and individual book discussions. Additionally, a daily journal may be required of each student to record reactions to written works or areas of concern assigned by the teacher. This course will also provide guidance and practice in comprehension, vocabulary, and rate of reading. This course may be repeated for an additional half credit. It is understood that no credit will be given for books read in a previous class. The individualized nature of the course allows this class to be open to all tracks of students.

• Mass Media (C85)

  One Semester

  Prerequisite: Sophomore English

  This course, designed as a senior elective, presents an in-depth study of television and film. During the semester, the class will learn how to "read" television and film using analysis of plot, characterization and theme development. The course will also concentrate on filming, writing techniques, and special effects. By the end of the course students will be able to evaluate what they see on television and in film with more depth.

  NOTE: Students must pass a final exam to get credit for the course.

• History & Thought of Western Man (English) (C94/C95)

  Two Semesters/Two years

  Weighted

  Prerequisite: Successful Completion of English 9H and/or Approval of the Instructor

  HTWM is the Language Arts and Social Studies portion of the gifted program at Rich East High School. Those students who have been identified as members of the Rich Scholars Program and who have secured the permission of the Chairperson of the Division of Humanities or the class instructors will be enrolled in this class.

  HTWM is a two-year program in which students are introduced to college level reading and a variety of advanced topics and activities in the areas of world literature, world history, art, philosophy, and music from the Egyptians to the present day. Selections covered include Genesis , The Iliad , The Inferno, The Tempest, Tartuffe, A Doll's House , Maus I & II . Some outside reading is required.

  The successful completion of the course will fulfill the 1 credit graduation requirement for World Civilization. The English portion of the course is considered an additional elective.

• Independent Study (C99)

  One Semester

  Prerequisite: Recommendation of Instructor and Division Chairperson Approval

  Independent Study is a one-semester course of in-depth reading analysis and research of a student self-chosen topic. Open to junior and senior students, this course will allow a student to select a literary field in which he or she would pursue a directed course of reading and submit one major or several minor writing samples to an advisor. Students who wish to do Independent Study must make application to the Division Chairperson, present a program of study, and secure an English faculty member to sponsor the project.