Ursuline High School :: Home of the Fighting Irish

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE & COMPOSITION GRADE 9 REQUIRED 1 credit

The required English program in ninth grade emphasizes the study of composition and literature. Other skills such as critical and creative thinking, information processing, vocabulary development, speaking, listening and reading will be developed primarily through the examination of literature and the teaching of composition. Students will be introduced to the major genres of literature for examination and critical analysis. The teaching of composition will focus on the multi-paragraph theme developed through exposition, argumentation, narration and description.

Students who exhibit superior reading, vocabulary and language skills as evidenced on the High School Placement Test and through past performance will be invited by the department into HONORS LITERATURE & COMPOSITION. PREREQUISITE: 95th percentile or better on the READING and LANGUAGE sections of the Ursuline Placement Test

AMERICAN LITERATURE & COMPOSITION GRADE 10 REQUIRED 1 credit

The major focus of the tenth grade program will be to read, discuss and analyze selections of American Literature from the Native American period through the Twentieth Century. The major genres of literature will be studied chronologically by period to trace the historical and cultural development of the United States as reflected in its literature. Composition skills will include creative writing, development of the multi-paragraph expository composition and the introduction of the multi-paragraph essay on a literary topic. Creative and critical thinking, information retrieval and information processing, listening, reading and speaking skills will continue to be developed through the study of literature.

Students with superior skills in reading, vocabulary, composition and literary analysis will be invited by the English department into HONORS AMERICAN LITERATURE & COMPOSITION. The research paper is introduced and required in this course. PREREQUISITE: "B or better in Honors Literature & Composition; "A" average in Introduction to Literature and Composition and passing grade on the Honors English entry exam.

BRITISH LITERATURE & COMPOSITION GRADE 11 REQUIRED 1 credit

The required course for all juniors is a survey course of British Literature from the Anglo-Saxon Period to the Twentieth Century. It traces the historical and cultural development of Great Britain as reflected in literature. The course is primarily designed to meet the needs of the college-bound student and emphasizes the development of composition skills and literary analysis. The research paper is introduced and required in this course. Students who are identified by the English Department, as having superior skills in reading, vocabulary, literary analysis and composition will be invited into HONORS BRITISH LITERATURE & COMPOSITION. Students will continue to develop research skills and apply them in producing a required research paper. PREREQUISITE: "B” or better in Honors American Literature & Composition; "A" average in American Literature and Composition and passing grade on the Honors English entry exam.

WORLD LITERATURE & COMPOSITION GRADE 12 REQUIRED 1 credit

All seniors are required a survey English course in World Literature from its beginning in the ancient East through the twentieth century. Literary selections are representative of various historical periods, various cultural traditions and various literary genres. The course is primarily designed to meet the needs of the college bound student and emphasizes the development of composition skills, literary analysis and critical thinking. Students will continue to develop research skills and apply them in producing a required research paper that focuses on argumentation.

Students who are identified by members of the English Department as having superior skills in reading, vocabulary, literary analysis and writing will be invited into ADVANCED PLACEMENT LITERATURE & COMPOSITION which prepares students for the Advanced Placement test in English Literature and Composition. PREREQUISITE: "B" or better in Honors British Literature & Composition; "A" average in British Literature and passing grade on the Advanced Placement entry exam.

FILM STUDY GRADES 11-12 ELECTIVE .5 credit

Film Study is a one semester elective, open to juniors and seniors. Students will be introduced to the technical, historical and theoretical aspects of filmmaking. Units to be covered include the following: Cinematography and Image, Movement, Editing, Sound, Acting, The Documentary, The Director, Film Criticism and contemporary Issues in Film. This course also meets the criteria for a Fine Arts requirement.

INTRODUCTION TO JOURNALISM GRADES 9-12 ELECTIVE .5 credit

Introduction to Journalism will expose students to the fields of print and broadcast journalism through hands-on experience with news writing. Students will learn how to interview and write for a variety of audiences as they practice constructing news articles, feature articles, and editorials and sports pieces. Part of the course will include gathering news and writing for the newspaper, The Irish Times. Students will also learn how to analyze articles from local, state and national newspapers as well as from news magazines for content and style. Guest speakers and field trips to local newsrooms will give students the opportunity to consider a career in print or broadcast journalism.