English Classes
ENGLISH LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE #110
LEVEL: HONORS 9
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Percentile score of 85 or above in verbal, reading, and language usage on the high school entrance exam; recommendation of elementary school personnel.
This course is offered to highly motivated and capable students. It is designed to enrich reading, writing, grammar, vocabulary, listening, and discussion skills. Elements of correct grammar, in-depth analysis of various literary types, and the writing process are developed. Literary types studied include drama, novel, short story, nonfiction, and poetry. Writing forms studied include paragraphs, expository and narrative essays, and creative writing. Composition is used as a tool for literary analysis, and library work is required.
ENGLISH LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE #111
LEVEL: 9
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Percentile score
between 40 and 84 on the high
school entrance exam in verbal,
reading, and language usage;
recommendation of elementary
school personnel.
This course reviews the basic elements of grammar, sentence patterns and structure, phrases, and clauses. Students will develop punctuation and vocabulary. Students are guided in improving their writing, reading, and speaking skills. Students expand their understanding of human nature by interpreting short stories, dramas, poems, novels, and nonfiction prose.
ENGLISH LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE #112
LEVEL: 9
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Percentile score of 39
or below in verbal, reading, and
language usage on the high school
entrance exam; recommendation of
elementary school personnel.
This course reviews the basic elements of grammar, sentence patterns and structure, and phrases. Students will develop punctuation and vocabulary. Students are guided in improving their writing, reading, and speaking skills. Students expand their understanding of human nature by interpreting short stories, dramas, poems, novels, and nonfiction prose. English #112 has the same content as English Literature and Language #111, but it progresses at a more moderate pace.
INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION SKILLS #113
LEVEL: 9
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
FEE: $40.00
Prerequisites: Percentile score of 39
or below in verbal, reading, and
language usage on the high school
entrance exam; recommendation of
elementary school personnel.
This skill-building course, required for freshmen who do not score at grade level in reading, is designed to increase the student's efficiency in reading and study skills. This course emphasizes comprehension at three levels (literal, interpretive, and critical) while using a variety of reading materials including The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. Each student will learn the necessary skills that allow him/her to perform efficiently in content areas. The student must also enroll in English Literature and Language #112.
AMERICAN LITERATURE/ COMPOSITION #120
LEVEL: HONORS 10
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Signature of freshman
English teacher; minimum of "B"
average in English I Honors #110.
This course presents representative works of American literature from its origins to the present. Students read poetry, drama, fiction and nonfiction. Students also review grammar, refine vocabulary skills, deliver oral presentations and speeches, and compose essays and creative responses to literature. In all these activities, critical thinking is a priority.
AMERICAN LITERATURE/ COMPOSITION #121
LEVEL: 10
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Completion of
English I; signature of freshman
English teacher.
This course explores the development of American literature from its origins to the present. Students also study grammar and vocabulary in conjunction with their reading and writing. In composition, the focus is on the process of writing in the standard modes of discourse. Class discussions and speeches offer students additional opportunities to share their insights with others. Study of literature will encourage the recognition and implementation of diverse creative writing styles.
BRITISH LITERATURE/ COMPOSITION #130
LEVEL: HONORS 11
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Signature of
sophomore English teacher;
minimum of "B" average in American
Literature/Composition Honors #120.
This course deals with major selections from Anglo-Saxon through twentieth-century prose and poetry of the British Isles. In addition to the text, students read and study major English pieces. Essays relate to the literature and to the student's own life experiences. Students are required to write a research paper and deliver individual and group presentations. Students are required to complete a summer reading assignment.
BRITISH LITERATURE/ COMPOSITION #131
LEVEL: 11
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Signature of
sophomore English teacher;
completion of American
Literature/Composition #121.
This course deals with major selections from Anglo-Saxon through twentieth-century prose and poetry of the British Isles. Students study at least three major works in detail. This course emphasizes expository and persuasive writing, including documented research projects; speeches; stresses skills needed for national testing; and includes the building of vocabulary skills. Students are required to write a major research paper and deliver individual and group presentations.
AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE/ COMPOSITION #135
LEVEL: ADVANCED PLACEMENT
11
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Signature of
sophomore English teacher;
minimum of “B” average in
American Literature/Composition
Honors #120.
This college level course, which prepares and requires students to take the English Language and Composition AP Test, is, above all, a writing course with an emphasis on argumentation and persuasion, although the overall course goal is to enable students to become skilled writers who can compose for a variety of purposes. In addition to writing in formal contexts – including a research project – students imitate master writers, respond to the ideas of contemporary writers who address some of today’s important issues, and engage in collaborative writing experiences and informal debates. In addition, students increase their reading skills as they learn to read complex texts with understanding. Select masterpieces of British writers, as well as an assortment of nonfiction pieces, provide the basis for study. Students are required to complete a summer reading assignment.
WORLD LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION #140
LEVEL: HONORS 12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Signature of junior
English teacher; minimum of "B"
average in English
Literature/Composition.
This course features literature from Africa, Asia, Europe, and Central/South America. Exploring masterpieces from a variety of time periods students will deepen their understanding and widen their appreciation of the writer's craft and of cultural expression. With an emphasis on literary analysis and personal response, students will explore their ideas in formal and informal papers, in Socratic discussions, and through a variety of other activities, such as individual and group presentations, speeches, and creative dramatics. Students are required to complete a summer reading assignment.
WORLD LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION #141
LEVEL: 12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisite: Signature of junior
English teacher; completion of British
Literature/Composition #131.
Featured in this course is literature from around the globe, including novels, plays, short stories, and poetry. Students explore the artistry and the timelessness of these works, which represent 2500 years of literary creation. Students are expected to articulate their responses in a variety of modes, ranging from individual papers to group presentations and speeches.
AP ENGLISH LITERATURE/ COMPOSITION #145
LEVEL: ADVANCED PLACEMENT
12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Signature of junior
English teacher; minimum of "B"
average in English
Literature/Composition Honors #130
or a minimum of “C” average in
Advanced Placement English
Language #135.
In this college level course, which prepares and requires students to take the Literature and Composition AP Test, students are engaged in the careful reading of literary works. Through such study, they sharpen their awareness of language and their understanding of the writer’s craft; they develop critical standards for the independent appreciation of any literary work. To achieve these goals, students study the individual work, its language, characters, action, and themes. They consider its structure, meaning, and value, and its relationship to contemporary experience as well as to the time in which it was written. Students articulate their responses in a variety of modes. Students are required to complete a summer reading assignment.
FILM APPRECIATION #160
LEVEL: 11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisite: None
This course explores the history of cinema with a focus on film as an art form. Narrative structure is emphasized, with ample time given to studying the craft of filmmaking. Skills such as screenwriting, editing, directing, lighting and cinematography are examined. Students will learn how classic and contemporary films are constructed with the aid of a comprehensive text, online resources, DVD clips and fullfeature presentations. This is an elective course and must be taken in addition to one credit in English.
CREATIVE WRITING #162
LEVEL: 11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisite: None
This course is designed for serious writers who want to practice the craft of writing in its many forms. Students will spend time in and out of class writing journals, short stories, drama, poetry and assorted nonfiction. Students will engage in guided writing excercises to encourage new uses of language and structure. Much of the work will look at writing as a process, and students will share work with both peers and instructor during revision. This is an elective course and must be taken in addition to one credit in English.
SPEECH #163
LEVEL: 11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisite: None
This course will guide students in the study of human communications with an emphasis on public speaking. Students will work as a community to study and practice the characteristics of successful speakers, often engaging in peer evaluation and constructive criticism. Students will participate in written and verbal exercises to improve their communication skills. Students will also work to communicate their ideas through informative, persuasive, and entertaining speeches, while focusing on the use of clear diction, appropriate projection, and meaningful body language. This is an elective course and must be taken in addition to one credit in English.
INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISTIC WRITING #171
LEVEL: 9-10-11-12
CREDIT: .5 ONE SEMESTER
Prerequisite: None
The student who enrolls in Introduction to Journalistic Writing will be publishing, communicating, creating, critically thinking, analyzing and writing throughout the course. The course covers the entire process of journalism: history, legal and Christian ethical components and the organization of a publication. Newsgathering, writing, editing, interviewing, deadlines, layout, design and current publication trends are emphasized. The student's work may be published in Crossroads, the school newspaper. This is an elective course and must be taken in addition to one credit in English.
JOURNALISM #172
LEVEL: 10-11-12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Minimum of C+ in
Introduction to Journalistic Writing
#171; or newspaper advisor's
signature.
Students enrolled in this course are primarily responsible for the news stories and photographs for Crossroads. Newsgathering, writing, editing, design, deadlines, production and organization of departmental duties involving journalism students are required skills emphasized in this class. These journalists must be able to form questions, analyze data, and examine cause-effect relationships. In addition, students are required to work on the paper approximately five hours per week outside of normal classroom time. Students in this course will contract to be graded either with letter grades or on a P/F basis. This is an elective course and must be taken in addition to one credit in English.
JOURNALISM H #173
LEVEL: HONORS 10-11-12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisite: Minimum of C+ average
in Introduction to Journalistic Writing
#171 or
Journalism #172. Students who
apply for Honors Journalism should
sign up for Journalism #172 and will
be moved to Honors Journalism by
the advisor.
The student who enrolls in Journalism Honors will assume an editorial status on Crossroads, Carmel Catholic High School's nationally ranked newspaper. This student is responsible for the layout and design of a particular section of the newspaper on a monthly basis. Journalistic elements learned in Introduction to Journalistic Writing, Adobe In Design, and/or Journalismnewsgathering, writing, editing, interviewing, deadlines, layout, design, current trends and production-will be employed by the student. This student is responsible for guiding newspaper staff members (from Introduction to Journalistic Writing and Journalism I) in forming questions, analyzing data and examining cause-effect relationships. In addition, the student is required to work on the newspaper approximately five hours per week outside of normal classroom time, including mandatory meetings. Editors are also required to attend one late night session per issue. Students in this course will contract to be graded either with letter grades or on a Pass/Fail basis. This is an elective course and must be taken in addition to one credit in English.
YEARBOOK #175
LEVEL: 10-11-12
CREDIT: 1 ONE YEAR
Prerequisites: Interested students
must turn in an essay and letter of
recommendation from a current
Carmel teacher to the Yearbook
moderator at least 7 days in advance
of registration to be considered for
staff positions.
Students must receive written
approval from the Yearbook
moderator, as staff postions are
limited to a maximum of 22.
Summer workshop is mandatory for
the Editor and Co-Editor positions.
(Mid-July; extra fee)
For students interested in design, copywriting, and photography, Yearbook is an elective course designed specifically for the production of the Carmel Catholic yearbook. The staff creates pages, conducts interviews, writes copy and chooses photographs. Students gain experience in desktop publishing. This is an elective course and must be taken in addition to one credit in English.
