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| World Literature |
10 Credits;
Year |
| Required course for all Seniors |
| World
Literature is used as a bridge to the mastery of critical reading, writing, speaking and
listening skills. Literature studied includes both traditional and contemporary selections
designed to present the literature of the world in a historical context. Literary themes
include: the quest for immortality, the individual in society, knowledge and power, the
natural world, alienation and despair, justice and injustice. In exploring literature,
attention is given to the need for hierarchy of reading and discussion levels moving from
comprehension to interpretation to evaluation. Fulfills U.C. "b" and C.S.U.
subject requirement. |
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| World Literature C |
10 Credits;
Year |
|
| The main
purposes of the course are to build the student's writing and language skills and to
further develop reading comprehension and enjoyment of world literature. Efforts in
composition are supported by units in grammar, including specified areas of usage and
mechanics, and by programs in spelling and vocabulary. Literature studied includes
classics and noteworthy contemporary works that probe the human condition. By reading and
discussing these works, the student should recognize that people, at all times and in all
places, have struggled with questions that are vitally important to every human being. In
exploring literature, attention is given to the need for a hierarchy of reading and
discussion levels (moving from comprehension to interpretation to evaluation). The is a
community college (2 year college) preparatory course. |
|
| Advanced Placement English |
10 Credits;
Year |
Open to Seniors only
Prerequisites: Recommendation of honors level instructor and permission of department
coordinator. |
| The
Advanced Placement English course provides those students selected with an opportunity to
experience a college-level class as well as eligibility to receive college credit.
Students learn to read and comprehend historical college-level poetry, plays, novels, and
short stories written at various times in various cultures. They learn how to discover
meaning in literature by being attentive to language, imagery, character, action,
argument, and the various techniques and strategies authors use to evoke emotional
responses from readers. Students are expected to justify their interpretations by
reference to details and patterns found in the text, to compare their interpretations with
those proposed by others (teachers, classmates, and published literary scholars), and to
be prepared to modify their own interpretations as they learn more and think more. Writing
in this course is focused upon the expository essay both formal and informal. Fulfills
U.C. "b" and C.S.U. subject requirement. |
Senior writing electives: Seniors must choose one of the
following (AP English students are exempt): |
| Composition and Logic |
5 Credits;
Semester |
|
| This
course aims to sharpen the student's ability to reason logically and apply the principles
of sound reasoning. Major areas addressed here are inductive and deductive reasoning,
logical fallacies and analyzing arguments. The composition program is college preparatory,
emphasizing essay writing (particularly critical and persuasive writing), revision
techniques, and essay question strategies. Time is also allotted for remediating major
deficiencies on the level of the sentence and the paragraph. This course fills the
mandatory senior writing requirement. Fulfills U.C. "f" and C.S.U. elective
requirement. |
|
| Composition and Logic C |
5 Credits;
Semester |
|
| This
course builds upon the semester of writing studied in the Junior year. The elements of
rhetoric learned in the Junior year are reviewed and students are introduced to basic
principles of logic. Students are asked to apply these principles to their thinking and
writing. The composition program prepares students for the regiment of college level
writing by focusing on the expository and timed essay. This is a community college (2 year
college) prep course. |
|
| Movies as Literature |
5 Credits;
Semester |
| Open to Juniors and Seniors |
| This
course is designed for the avid film-goer who not only enjoys the genre of film, but also
desires to understand this medium on an even deeper level. Students will study and become
familiar with cinematic terms and techniques (such as, cutting, transitions, shots,
angles, etc.), types of film (classics, contemporary, sleepers, claymation, etc.), roles
in film (director, producer, gopher, extras, etc.), the Academy Award Process, and the
current rating system. Students will view, discuss, and critique various films chosen by
both the teacher and the students. Film response logs are employed and students will be
expected to research some aspect of the world of the Cinematic Arts. Finally, students
will be required to join a "production team" of their peers to create their own
movie. The process of production is emphasized: story line, script, location research,
shooting schedule, story boards, filming, and editing. Regular attendance is required.
Fulfills U.C. "f" and C.S.U. elective requirement. |
|
| Journalism |
10 Credits;
Year |
Open to Seniors only
Prerequisite: Formal application to the journalism instructor
to include two teacher recommendations, a writing sample and a "B" or better in
Composition and Rhetoric. |
| This
course offers students the opportunity to develop their writing skills while learning
about the demands of newspaper writing. Various journalistic forms are practiced,
including news reporting, features, sports, columns and editorials. The course also
examines journalistic requirements such as headline and caption writing and proofreading.
Throughout the course students are called upon to develop style and substance in their
writing. Research and interview skills are also developed. Fulfills U.C. "f" and
C.S.U. elective requirement. |
|
| Creative Writing |
10 Credits;
Year |
| Open to Seniors only Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor, two writing
samples, and a "B" or better in Composition and Rhetoric. |
| This
course is designed for serious writing students who would like to take their writing to
the next level. Through various projects, students will produce writing based upon
observation, imagination and imitation. Students will learn to appreciate one another's
talents through reading their works aloud. By the end of the course they will have a
portfolio of their works which will serve as a foundation for a life-long collection of
their writing. Fulfills U.C. "f" and C.S.U. elective requirement. |
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