English
	English 9  The Freshman course focuses on a variety of literary genres and periods as a means of strengthening and broadening the students’ reading experience. The literature core includes The Odyssey, Romeo and Juliet, and Foe, as well as collections of poetry and short stories. Writing assignments will include both literary analysis and personal/creative pieces, and each student will be responsible for daily contributions to class discussion. Students practice frequent grammar and vocabulary exercises meant to develop their skills of expression. (1 credit; full year) English 10 After a freshman English course that works to span centuries and genres, the sophomore course travels through world literature. Through a study of both ancient and modern texts, this course will take students on a journey around the world through literary cultures and genres. In addition to the core texts, readings will also include a Shakespeare play and a current production at a local or regional theater. Writing assignments will include both literary analysis and personal/creative pieces, and each student will be responsible for daily contributions to class discussion. In addition students will be expected to give at least one oral presentation in class and produce a multifaceted project. Although study of vocabulary and grammar continues, the grammar topics shift to usage and application of rules learned in earlier courses. Themes explored in the course will include the importance of culture, tradition and narrative voice with an emphasis on expanding students’ world view while improving their analytical and critical skills. (1 credit; full year) English 11 The Junior course is largely a survey of British literature, beginning with Beowulf and continuing through a Shakespeare play, Wuthering Heights, and a modern novel. In addition, students read a considerable amount of poetry from the Metaphysical, Romantic, and Victorian writers and are responsible for at least one class presentation. Other writers include Yeats and Joyce. As students continue to develop analytical essays on literary works, they will write both personal essays, the type often required on college applications, and practice essays for the SAT in the spring term. Students in this course may also opt to take AP Language and Composition exam in the spring. (1 credit; full year) English 11H The junior honors course is designed for students who demonstrate strong interest and talent in the subject area. Although much of the literature will appear in both the honors and the regular English 11 courses, the reading list of the honors course will be more extensive, the literature will be explored in greater depth, and expectations in both analytical and creative writing will be greater. In addition students are expected to bring their knowledge to the table in daily discussion and can expect to be held to higher standards in all aspects of their work. Students will make at least one class presentation/recitation per semester, they will write both personal and analytical essays, and they will continue to enhance their vocabulary and understanding of grammar. In addition to SAT preparation, all students in the honors course take the AP Language and Composition exam in the spring. Permission of the Department Head is required for admission into this course. (1 credit; full year) AP English The AP course is designed for the 12th grade student who has a strong interest and ability in writing and literature and is ambitious enough to take on a college-level course. This advanced study offers students the opportunity to engage in spirited and sophisticated scholarship as they explore some of the intellectually important masterpieces in the literary canon. In addition to Oedipus Rex, Hamlet, and two Ibsen plays, students read Ellison’s Invisible Man, Faulkner’s As I Lay Dying, Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, Marquez’s Chronicle of a Death Foretold, and Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment, as well as works of modern poetry and short fiction. In preparing for the AP examination in the spring, students will also do exercises in close analysis and work through practice AP exams. Class format includes both lecture and discussion; in addition, individual students will be required to lead the class at least twice during the year. Permission of the Department Head is required for admission into this course. (1 credit; full year)

	11th and 12th Grade English Electives
	Poetry and Playwriting This is a challenging work-shop style course that will expose students to the craft of writing poetry and one-act plays. Students will begin with several free writing exercises and move to more focused assignments as the term progresses. They will also be expected to read frequently from handouts of poems and plays and participate in daily writing work- shops. In these workshops each student will receive peer and teacher commentary with the goal of revising their work into polished pieces. During the course, students are expected to submit their work to the Upper School literary magazine, and read their work at the Upper School Coffeehouse. At the completion of the course, all students will submit a portfolio of their work as the final assessment in the course. (1⁄2 credit, 1st semester) New World Voices This course is designed to introduce students to current literary works from several developing nations, specifically Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria and India. In these works of fiction and personal narrative, students will learn about the social and historical environments from which the voices arise. At the same time they will recognize the uniqueness of each time and place and learn to appreciate the common human struggles faced by each character. The class will discuss and write about a variety of themes including the need for an individual voice, the role of traditional values in rapidly changing societies, and the recognition of the power of the written word in bringing order from chaos. Time permitting, students will read additional short stories or poems from each of the five countries. Films from several of the countries will also be part of the curriculum. Students will respond frequently to the texts and films in informal writing, as well as in analytical essays and other assessments. At the end of the term, each student will work independently on a major project to be presented to the class, incorporating reading, analysis, writing and a creative component. (1⁄2 credit; 1st semester) The Fiction of Dystopia As the American literary tradition evolved during the post war era of the mid–20th century, a genre of literature that sought to describe the clash between personal freedom and governmental authority was born. These texts asked: How does humanity react when it is thrust into a society that is anything but “by the people, for the people”? What happens when a government imposed status quo is challenged? Through close readings of both classic and lesser-known texts of the mid-late 20th century, we will attempt to shed light upon these questions. (1⁄2 credit; 1st semester) The Literature of War: A Study of Conflict and Conscience This course will focus on war stories as a literary genre. Our discussions will address not only the impact of war upon sovereign nations, but also its effect upon the individual consciousness of soldiers and civilians, refugees and rebels. In addition to reading the required texts, students will be asked to respond to literature and films by creating essential questions on war, writing both analytical and personal essays, and exploring the political and personal effects of war. At the end of the term, students will have the opportunity to speak with active duty soldiers and veterans, and will be expected to complete a final documentary project that addresses a current global conflict. (1⁄2 credit, 2nd semester) Greek Literature in Translation: Ancient and Modern The purpose of this course is to explore major works from Greece’s ancient past as well as its modern texts, uncovering the common subjects and themes, which are a product of that particular people, geography and history. After an introduction to history and culture of the area, students will read a trilogy of ancient tragic plays and two comedies, as well as several shorter works. They will then read literature from the Modern Greek era, appreciating the works both for their lyricism and their current relevance. Attention will also be paid to the ways in which Greek consciousness and thought have evolved throughout history. Students will respond to the texts and other material in frequent informal writing as well as analytical essays and other types of assessments. The course will conclude with a major independent study project, which will include a written and an oral component. (1⁄2 credit; 2nd semester) Nature Writing: Observing the Inverted Footprint Since the dawn of humanity, man’s footprint has been left on Nature. With each passing century that foot- print deepens and widens. This course asks students to explore the ways in which this has occurred through the lens of literature. Some of the questions we will explore are: What can we learn from an environment that speaks not with words, but the senses? What can we learn from the natural environment around us that we cannot learn from our fellow human beings? While we will look to textual analysis in pursuit of these answers, a large part of this course will consist of field- work designed to inspire original writing in the form of personal essays and poetry. (1⁄2 credit; 2nd semester)