read, discuss, and write about the
themes, structures, and styles of selected literary works. They
will also use this knowledge to refine their own craft as
writers. In addition, students are expected to complete more
sophisticated writing assignments than those in Level 2, and to
study more challenging literature such as The Odyssey,
and The Illiad. Students will be evaluated on
journals, quizzes, an application test and a major writing
project for each unit.
Elements of Literature and Composition Level 2
Grade 9
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
The goal of this course is to develop and
refine students’ skills in reading, writing, and literary
analysis through the study of a variety of genre: poetry, short
fiction, drama, novels and nonfiction. Students will read,
discuss and write about the themes, structures, and styles of
selected literary works. They will also write their own original
works of fiction and poetry. Students will be evaluated on
journals, quizzes, an application test and a major writing
project for each unit.
World Literature Level 1 Grade 10
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
In this course, students are expected to
master skills in reading, writing and literary analysis. In
addition, they will broaden and deepen their understanding of
world cultures through a study of literature from Asia, Africa,
Latin America and Europe. They will read and write about
classical and modern works and become more familiar with other
aspects of the culture (i.e. music, art, cuisine, dance and
film) and the political and economic life of the regions they
study. They will write their own original works, modeled after
their reading.
Students will also study several additional
classical works (e.g. Oedipus, A Tale of
Two Cities) and will be expected to demonstrate
the ability to work independently and at high academic levels of
performance. Students will be evaluated on their responses to
critical reading questions, a major paper, and a project with
each unit of study.
World Literature Level 2 Grade 10
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
In this course, students are expected to
master skills in reading, writing and literary analysis. In
addition, they will broaden and deepen their understanding of
world cultures through a study of literature from Asia, Africa,
Latin America and Europe. They will read and write about
classical and modern works and become more familiar with other
aspects of the culture (i.e. music, art, cuisine, dance and
film) and the political and economic life of the regions they
study. They will also write their own original works, modeled
after their readings. Students will also respond to open-ended
questions daily, in preparation for the CAPT. Students will be
evaluated on their responses to critical reading questions, a
major paper, and a project with each unit of study.
Advanced Placement Language and Composition
Level AP Grade 11
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
Prerequisite: Successful completion of
World Literature in tenth grade and successful completion of a
summer reading project.
Through a study of American Literature,
students will be able to distinguish subtext from text,
audience, and the writer’s purpose. Students will also be able
to recognize the rhetorical devices open to all writers:
structural modes, narrative and poetic devices, diction, and
syntax. Students will be responsible for
completing a writing portfolio in which they
will apply and demonstrate their understanding of the art of
composition. Requirements: As this is a college level course,
students are expected to demonstrate the ability
for the AP exam,
and must take the Language and Composition AP Exam.
American Literature Level 1 Grade
11
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
This course examines the American literary
tradition from 1607 to the present. The first semester focuses
on the evolution of language and literature in America from the
Puritan Era through the Civil War. Students will read, discuss,
and write on the works of Bradford, Irving, Emerson, Poe,
Hawthorne, Twain, and Dickinson.
The second semester begins with the Realist
movement and ends with the Modernist. Students will read,
discuss, and write about the works of Crane, Faulkner, Hurston,
Wharton, Steinbeck, Cummings, and others.
The level 1 honors course requires highly
developed skills for writing and reading sophisticated texts and
for producing rigorous literary analyses. Students are also
expected to demonstrate the ability to work independently. They
will be evaluated on literary essays, oral presentations, tests,
and research projects.
American Literature Level 2 Grade
11
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
This course will examine the American
literary tradition from 1607 to the present. The first semester
will focus on the evolution of language and literature in
America from the Puritan Era through the Civil War. Studentswill
read, discuss, and write on the works of such authors as
Bradford, Irving, Poe, Hawthorne, Twain and Dickinson. The
second semester will begin with the Realist movement and end
with the Modernist. Students will read, discuss, and write on
the works of Crane, Faulkner, Hurston, Wharton, Steinbeck,
Cummings and others. Students will be evaluated on literary
essays, oral presentations, tests, quizzes and projects.
Advanced Placement Literature and Composition
Level AP Grade 12
Credits: 1.00 Full Year
Prerequisite: Successful completion of
American literature and successful completion of a summer
project
Literature and Composition continues
instruction in critical reading and expository writing. The
course requires the study of prose, poetry, and drama: texts
range from classics to modern works. Classes are conducted as
seminars: students are expected to develop, to recognize, and to
refine their writing style in a series of critical papers and
tests. Requirements: As this is a college level course, students
are expected to demonstrate the ability to perform independently
at the college level. Students will spend a considerable amount
of time preparing for the AP exam, and must take the
Literature and Composition AP Exam.
Advanced Composition Level 1
Grades 11,12
Credits: .50 Half Year
This course prepares students to do the kinds
of writing that will be required of them in college. It also
trains them in the related skills of critical thinking and
critical reading. Materials include a handbook of grammar,
textbook explaining the various skills taught, and supplementary
essays serving as writing models. The writing assignments, given
on a sequential basis, include one piece per week. At
least six of these papers will be complete compositions
averaging two to four pages in length. Students will be trained
to develop a critical sense about their writing by completing
editing exercises, rewriting papers, and holding regular
conferences with the instructor. Evaluation will be based on
these papers.
Great Books/Great Films Level 1
Grades 11,12
Credits: .50 Half Year
This course will provide a rigorous
examination of a book’s adaptation into film. Students will read
and analyze a variety of "great books", from classics to modern
novels. Following each reading, students will view the film
version of the work comparing its literary interpretation and
visual merits. Students will be evaluated on critical essays,
journals, and oral presentations.
Print and Broadcast Journalism Levels 1 & 2
Grades 11,12
Credits: .50 Half Year
In this class, students will learn the
fundamentals of newspaper publication and video news production.
Students will write articles, editorials, letters to the editor,
as well as broadcasting scripts. Graphic design, layout and
printing will also be explored. Skills will culminate in
production of "The Spartan Scroll". Using the television studio,
students will develop a video newscast. The ability to
collaborate and work independently are course prerequisites.
Evaluation will include work on the school newspaper and
participation in a broadcast.
Mythology Level 2 Grades 11,12
Credits: .50 Half Year
The readings for this course include Greek,
Roman, Norse, African, and American mythology and folklore. Word
origins, vocabulary, and advertising terms derived from myths
are examined. Six archetypes, or recurring patterns, in
mythology are studied and applied to contemporary readings. A
creative writing assignment for each of the six archetypes will
be composed in prose and poetry. Students will also be evaluated
on tests and projects.
Interpreting Film In a Modern Society
Level 2 Grades 11,12
Credits: .50 Half Year
This course offers students an opportunity to
examine films as a distinctive art form and to establish
standards for film criticism. The "grammar" of film (shot,
scene, sequence) will be studied, along with film construction
(script writing, acting, directing, editing, art work). Students
will be evaluated on reviews of films, tests and quizzes.
Contemporary Literature Level 2
Grades 11,12
Credits: .50 Half Year
This course encompasses the period of time
after World War I to the present and will concentrate on
representative works. The course is designed to focus on the
historical, political, and psychological motivation that
produced each work, as well as its practical influence in our
society today. Students will be evaluated on writing
assignments, tests and quizzes.
Drama Level 1 Grades 11,12
Credits: .50 Half Year
This course is primarily a literature course,
but will include some performance activities as well. Students
interested in reading and discussing plays - and attending some
professional performances - are encouraged to enroll. Evaluation
will be based on journals, projects and major written
assignments (including play-writing), tests and quizzes.
Creative Writing Level 2
Grades 11,12
Credits: .50 Half Year
The Creative Writing student will learn to
interpret his or her world, record impressions and express ideas
in three literary genres: the short story, poetry, and plays.
Students will be evaluated on written work in all three genres.
