English Courses
2023-2024
Required English Courses
Indicates a video explanation of the class
** denotes the course is elective credit, NOT an English credit
Freshman Courses
Required | Electives |
English 9 | |
OR | |
English 9 ACC | |
Sophomore Courses
Required | Electives |
English 10 | |
OR | |
English 10 ACC | |
OR | Yearbook** |
English 10 ACC (Blended) |
Junior Courses
Required | Electives | Electives |
English 11 | Yearbook** | |
OR | ||
OR | ||
| |
Senior Courses
Electives | | Electives |
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| Yearbook** | |
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Intro to Journalism (Blended)
Semester
Prerequisite: none
Description: Students that enroll in this class will learn important journalism skills in the areas of news writing, editing, photography, layout / design and other elements of production. This class is a prerequisite and must be taken to enroll for yearbook and newspaper.
Major Topics or Themes: Ethics / History of Journalism, Research and the interview process,
Adobe Indesign (layout and design), SNO (daily functions of online newspaper), Yearbook Avenue (functions of online yearbook site), Photography and multimedia
AP Lang
Full Year
Prerequisite: English 10
Description: The AP English Language and Composition course introduces a college-level rhetoric and writing curriculum, which requires students to develop evidence-based analysis and writing skills. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Counts for an English 11 credit.
Major Topics or Themes: Rhetorical Analysis, Visual Rhetoric, Textual Rhetoric, Synthesis Writing, and Argumentative Writing
AP Seminar
Full Year
Prerequisite: English 10
Description: AP Seminar is a year-long course that has students investigate real-world issues from multiple perspectives. Students learn to synthesize information from different sources, develop their own lines of reasoning in research-based written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team.
Major Topics or Themes: Analyze topics through multiple lenses to construct meaning or gain understanding, Plan and conduct a study or investigation, Propose solutions to real-world problems, Plan and produce communication in various forms, Collaborate to solve a problem, Integrate, synthesize, and make cross-curricular connections.
American Studies
Full Year
Prerequisite: English 10
Students will survey American history from the colonial era to the present, with special emphasis on historical and rhetorical analysis. Students will gain the skills necessary to write effectively as scholars, professionals, and private individuals. The course will train students to think and read both critically and analytically, as well as communicate clearly in writing and speech.
American Studies encourages junior students to appreciate the richness and diversity of the United States by exploring its culture from an interdisciplinary perspective. Through an inquiry-based study of American narratives using artifacts (novels, films, poems, primary source documents, short stories, novels, memoirs, and others), American Studies integrates the disciplines of English and social studies. Essential questions about the American experience help unify the course by erasing disciplinary distinctions between social studies and English; attempting to answer these key questions, students - and instructors - pursue a larger understanding of what it means to be an American (in the past, present, and future of our country). Learning activities include reading, research, composition, reflection, and oral presentation, in both individual and collaborative modes.
American Studies is a team-taught (English Content Teacher, Social Studies Content Teacher, Special Ed Co-Teacher), double-period course. Two sections meet together daily in a large-group setting for 96 minutes (two back-to-back class periods per day). This class may run some days where the roster of students is divided into separate History/English groups to complete lessons that work in tandem or complete combined work in an integrated lesson. Students should expect to complete daily homework equivalent to two major courses. As instructors seek to create an integrated experience for students, many assessments will be common between the two disciplines. This course fulfills the graduation requirements in both junior English and U.S. History, and students receive corresponding scales-based, proficiency-based grades in both courses.
British Literature
Semester
Prerequisite: English 11
Description: This course focuses on British literary classics, from Beowulf to Murder on the Orient Express and 1984. Students in this course will build both their literary analysis and composition skills in preparation for their work beyond high school.
Major Topics or Themes Include: Examination of Multiple Interpretations of Beowulf, Analysis of Word Choice in Shakespeare, The Cultural Significance of The Canterbury Tales, Jonathan Swift’s Satirical Works, Using Textual Evidence to Solve The Murder on the Orient Express, The Victorian Novel and the Impact of Serial Publication, Exploration of Dystopian Literature, Text-To-World Analysis of 1984
Transitional English (formerly Global Awareness)
Full Year
Prerequisite: English 11
What is Transitional English? Who should take Transitional English & why
The class is designed to ensure that students are college ready by the time they graduate high school. Students should enroll in this course if they plan to enroll in a certificate or degree track that includes English 101. This course is intended for seniors who are planning on attending college after graduation and would like to ensure college-level placement in both Reading and English courses at Rock Valley College.
Students will analyze and evaluate diverse cultural topics with respect to themselves and to global contexts. Through this analysis, students will continue to develop essential reading and writing skills that will put them on track for success at the collegiate level. This course is intended for 12th grade students only. Students are not eligible for this course if they require modification of the unit assessments.
Major Topics or Themes: Self-awareness, Identity, Cultural awareness, Problem-solving, & Communication
AP Literature
Full Year
Prerequisite: English 11
Description: This course will serve to enable students to become better readers, writers, and thinkers and will prepare students to successfully complete the AP English Literature and Composition Exam at the end of the year.
This course will build on the writing skills of each student and improve them through a series of drafts, revisions and writing conferences. AP English Literature and Composition is designed to increase student skill in reading and critical literary analysis of selected prose and poetry, analytical writing, and the application of analytical skills in major novels or other major literary works.
Major Topics or Themes: Good Readers and Good Writers, Poetry Analysis, Women in Drama, Satirical Literature, Romantic / Gothic Literature, Literature in Historical Context
Creative Writing (Blended/Non-Blended)
Semester; Blended option
Prerequisite: English 11 or Concurrent enrollment in English 11
Description: The English elective course is designed for students who wish to develop their creative writing skills. Students will read and analyze examples within the genres being studied; students will also produce original writings within the genres being studied. Students will use peer editing and peer response to provide positive support for their fellow writers and to revise their own work. Students will create a portfolio that demonstrates their growth over the course of the semester.
Major Topics or Themes: Narrative Writing, Explanatory Writing, Creates a Writing Portfolio
Contemporary Literature (Blended / Non-Blended)
Semester
Prerequisite: English 11 or Concurrent enrollment in English 11
Description: The study of contemporary literary genres through the use of novels, poetry, and drama. Students will use material from the course to develop skills in analysis and how the material connects to the real world. Students will read several novels throughout the course of the semester.
Major Topics or Themes: Reading for understanding, Inferencing, Comparison and contrasting skills, Analysis skills
Speech
Semester
Prerequisite: English 11 or Concurrent enrollment in English 11
Description: Advanced Oral Communication is the study of communication through the use of the spoken word connected with visual communication. Students will use technology to research and develop presentations to be delivered in class. Along with delivering speeches, students will use technology to visually enhance presentations. Several types of speeches will be focused on, including informational, persuasive, symposium and the development of real world applications (podcasts, pecha kucha, interview skills, etc.). This course is designed for students who want to improve public speaking skills and have more confidence with communicating in a public forum.
Major Topics or Themes: Public speaking, Research skills, Audience connection and understanding, Listening skills
Professional Writing (Blended)
Semester
Prerequisite: English 11 or Concurrent enrollment in English 11
Description: This course is designed to prepare all students for the writing, reading, and speaking challenges that await them in the workplace. All students, regardless of their post-secondary educational plans, will need to communicate effectively in their place of business. This course also provides students with the 21st Century Skills (critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity) necessary to be successful in whichever field they choose. Students in this course will write a variety of workplace texts and will learn to work in teams through conflict resolution strategies and leadership skills.
Major Topics or Themes: Entering the job market, Communicating Effectively, Working as a team, Becoming a Leader, Business Research and Presentations
World Mythology
Semester
Prerequisite: English 11 or Concurrent enrollment in English 11
Description: A study of ancient, classical, and contemporary mythologies in which students will survey myths and legends from cultures around the globe, including but not limited to Norse, Greek, Sumerian, Egyptian, Native American, and cultures of the students’ choosing. Students will learn and apply a variety of analytical techniques and lenses. The course’s scales focus on college readiness, writing development, and literary analysis.
Major Topics or Themes: Functions of Myths and Mythology, Universality of Myths Across Cultures, Critical Literary Analysis
Debate / Advanced Debate
Semester
Prerequisite: English 9
Description: This course will focus on the fundamentals of argumentation. Students will learn to evaluate topics critically and address claims that can be made on both sides of an argument. Students will also work on rebuttal and counterclaims as well as argumentative writing skills and the honing of their speech abilities on both planned and more impromptu speaking.
Major Topics or Themes: Understanding the different types of arguments, Fallacy / Fallacious Reasoning, Argumentative writing, Research skills, Public speaking skills, Listening and note-taking skills, Critical thinking
Semester
Prerequisite: Debate
Description: Advanced Debate is a continuation of the Debate course. Students will be working on the same argumentative skills as the Debate course, however, at the competitive level. This course will focus on the preparation of and competition in interscholastic debate. This includes knowledge and practice of public speaking, and delivery and analysis. This class will also allow students to mentor and peer teach.
Major Topics or Themes: Self-Analysis and Goal-Setting, Fallacy/Fallacious Reasoning, Argumentative writing, Research skills, Public speaking skills, Listening and note-taking skills, Critical thinking, Mentoring and Peer-Teaching
Intro to Journalism
Semester
Prerequisite: none
Description: Students that enroll in this class will learn important journalism skills in the areas of news writing, editing, photography, layout / design and other elements of production. This class is a prerequisite and must be taken to enroll for yearbook and newspaper.
Major Topics or Themes: Ethics / History of Journalism, Research and the interview process,
Adobe Indesign (layout and design), SNO (daily functions of online newspaper), Yearbook Avenue (functions of online yearbook site), Photography and multimedia
Journalistic Writing (Newspaper)
Full Year
Prerequisite: English 9 & Intro to Journalism
Description: Students will create the school newspaper and manage the school online newspaper site.
Major Topics or Themes: Utilize Adobe Indesign, Learn SNO (online website),Improve reporting and writing skills, Sell and design advertisement
Yearbook
**NOT ENG CREDIT**
Full Year
Prerequisite: English 9 & Intro to Journalism
Description: Students will learn design layout, photography and page editing to produce the school yearbook.
Major Topics or Themes: Utilize Yearbook Avenue (online software), Learn survey and interview skills, Design page layouts , Work with photography, Sell and design advertisement, Take initiative and follow through on tasks
Broadcast Media I & II
**NOT ENG CREDIT**
Semester
Prerequisite: none
Description - Broadcast Media I: This beginning class will be for first-time broadcast students. Students will learn the basics of script writing, camera use, technology and more. Students will be asked to complete different types of special segments and video projects.
Broadcast Media II - Semester
Prerequisite: Broadcast Media I
Description: This advanced class is for those students who have completed Broadcast I. This class will focus on more advanced video projects for video news programming and will work on the weekly video projects. This class may be repeated for credit