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| Philosophy |
Co-Chairpersons-Claudia MIller and Marc Sulzycki |
To provide an environment for the optimum development of the individual student to become a mature, critically thinking Christian and a contributing member of society; to develop the ability to communicate effectively in the spoken and written word; to provide the ability to read critically and appreciate one’s literary heritage.
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| Course Descriptions |
English I1 (High Honors)
This challenging course consists of study skills, freshman and sophomore
grammar, poetry and drama. In addition to nine short rhetoric papers
utilizing the basic methods of organization, students write several
closely reasoned, well substantiated papers on poems, novels, and
a Shakespearean play. Vocabulary is studied throughout the year.
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English I (Honors)
The core units of the curriculum (grammar, composition, short stories,
a Shakespearean play and communication) are treated in depth at
the Honors level. More is expected of the student in each of the
basic units than would be expected at the College Prep level. The
student is challenged to work at a faster rate, write more papers,
and read more in general. Outside reading assignments are geared
toward challenging books as well as toward in-depth evaluations
of these works. Vocabulary is at the college level.
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English I (College Prep 1)
The course covers basic oral, written and literary skills. Written
skills are given attention through grammar and composition. The
fundamentals of grammar – parts of speech, parts of the sentence,
phrases and clauses – are covered; the fundamentals of composition
– the structure of sentences and paragraphs, according to
the various purposes and methods of organization – are introduced.
Vocabulary is on the college level with students expected to learn
twenty five to thirty words per week. Literary techniques are studied
in a short story unit consisting of a selection of short stories
with an emphasis on the four basic elements – plot, setting,
theme, and characters. Several novels are assigned for outside reading,
complementing the literary skills program. The year concludes with
a public speaking unit which requires students to deliver speeches
of various types and purposes.
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English II (High Honors)
British Literature – AP
This course is a chronological survey of British literature. In
general, this class has a heavy workload and great personal responsibility
is expected. Approximately fourteen works of fiction and nonfiction
are read, in addition to the textbook. Shakespeare’s four
great tragedies (Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth) are studied
in depth. Eight major papers are assigned based on novels read.
The assigned topics are challenging, requiring careful reading and
analysis of the novels. The College Board AP Exam in English Literature
and Composition is offered in May.
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English II (College Prep and Honors)
This course centers on several major units. After a brief review
of basic grammar skills, the class concentrates on usage and composition
techniques, such as parallelism and reduction for conciseness. These
lessons are applied to a variety of composition assignments focusing
on methods of development such as: description, persuasion, and
comparison-contrast. The vocabulary unit consists of regular assignments.
A poetry unit explores various types of poems and poetic techniques
to prepare students for later in-depth poetry study. Drama history
and representative plays from early Greece to the twentieth century
are studied with emphasis on such major playwrights as Sophocles,
Shakespeare, Shaw, Wilder, and Miller. Plays are read, analyzed
and when possible, viewed. Throughout the year four to six novels
are read.
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English III – American Literature
This course is a chronological survey course in American literature
from Columbus to the modern era. In addition to selected works from
the text, between five and eight novels are studied in depth with
a variety of writing assignments and class discussions. Vocabulary,
critical reading skills and techniques of testing are reviewed in
preparation for the PSAT and SAT. In conjunction with American history,
a research paper using citations and a bibliography is required
of all students.
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English IV – Humanities
(AP)
This course is an analysis of Western Civilization through its visual
arts, architecture, literature, philosophy, and music. Heavy emphasis
is put on ancient Greek contribution in these areas as the basis
for Western Civilization. Other units of study include the Roman
Legacy, Jerusalem and early Christianity, Byzantium, the Age of
Charlemagne, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Baroque World,
Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Impressionism, and Existentialism. Works
include those of Homer, Sophocles,
Virgil, St. Augustine, and Dante.
Special consideration is given to modern dramatists such as Ibsen,
Chekov, Strindberg, and Beckett. Related essay topics and research
projects are assigned throughout the year. In preparation for the
SAT, vocabulary is studied during the first semester.
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English IV – British Literature (Honors)
This course is an in-depth study of major British authors. The workload
is moderately heavy. An average of eight major papers and approximately
six novels are assigned in addition to regular reading and short
writing assignments. Vocabulary studies are included throughout
the first semester. Tests and quizzes emphasize the short answer
and essay response. Important literary criticism is considered and
special emphasis is given to the formation of literary standards.
Individual and group projects stressing creative reactions to course
material are sometimes assigned. Two Shakespearean plays are studied
in depth.
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English IV – British Literature (College Prep)
This course is a chronological study of British literature that
includes at least one semester of vocabulary studies, a minimum
of eight papers based on readings in literature and approximately
four novels of average difficulty assigned for outside reading.
Two Shakespearean plays are studied in depth.
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Advanced Placement Exams
Advanced Placement Exams are offered to students who complete the
AP British Literature and AP Humanities classes. |
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