The English Department bases its program on the belief that the truly educated person has developed the ability to understand, use, and enjoy language.

Language - written, read, spoken or listened to - is the key to a knowledge of oneself and to the realization of one's intellectual potential. In order to achieve this self-knowledge and intellectual actualization, the English Department particularly emphasizes the study and mastery of literature, vocabulary skills, grammatical concepts, and composition skills.

The English Department advocates that the study of language as the written word serves several purposes: (1) to expand the student's cultural horizons, (2) to expose the student to the weaknesses and strengths of characters so that he may determine his personal values, (3) to appreciate the development of the English language, and, finally, (4) to build on the past so that the student will have a basis for his present system of values.

The study of vocabulary skills will also contribute to the formation of a well-educated student of English. Through the study of vocabulary the student will come to recognize and learn new/difficult words, to recognize that language changes, and, most importantly, to realize that an improved vocabulary leads to better verbal communication and thinking.

Like Literature and vocabulary, the mastery of grammatical concepts should enable the student to understand the components of the sentence which in turn will bring the student to an appreciation of the composition as an entire process. Moreover, the study of grammar will not only enhance the student's appreciation of foreign language, but also improve the student's awareness of the fact that the building blocks of language lead to an understanding of the process of language and how that process affects our relationship to the word.

Finally the English Department believes that a strong compositional program which incorporates literature, vocabulary, and grammar will enhance the student's critical/analytical skills, allow the student to differentiate and produce various rhetorical patterns : descriptive, expository, and argumentative, and improve the student's verbal expression regardless of the student's intended college major or occupation. In short, the English Department endeavors to relate compositional skills to the real world with the intention of producing literate, thinking and social beings.

COURSE CATALOG

English 9 Two Semesters
Mandatory for all Freshman

Objectives
Vocabulary Development using root words; Language Skills/Library usage skills; Literary Analysis Skills; Composition Skills for developing sentence to paragraphs to themes.


Honors English 9
Two Semesters for selected students
In addition to the above:
Cyrano de Bergerac (Rostan)
The Chosen (Chaim Potok)


English 10
Two Semesters
Mandatory for all Sophomores

Objectives
Vocabulary Development; Language Skills/ Reasoning Skills; Literary Analysis Skills on a more mature level; Poetic Techniques; Composition Skills including production of a ten page term paper.


Honors English 10
Requirement: a grade of "B" or higher in Honors English 9 and teacher recommendation. There are four additional Novels in the curriculum. Outstanding students from English 9 may be recommended if space permits.
Plus:
The Pearl (Steinbeck)
Things Fall Apart (Achebe)
The House on Mango Street (Cisneros)

Objectives
Vocabulary Development for S.A.T.; Language Skills, especially sentence structure and development; Literary Analysis of American authors, thematically and historically; Composition Skills, especially exposition, critical analysis and thesis development.

Honors American Literature
Requirement: A grade of "B" or higher in Honors English 10 and instructor approval. Outstanding students from English 10 may be accepted if space permits. Students must be concurrently enrolled in AP United States History.
Plus:
The Killer Angels (Shaara)
Rain of Gold (Villasenor)


British Literature
Two Semesters
Mandatory for all Seniors

Objectives
Vocabulary Development for S.A.T.; Language Skills, study of semantics, fallacies, rhetorical strategies, critical thinking; Literary Skills and Analysis of British/Continental authors, thematically and historically; Composition Skills, especially descriptive, creative, persuasive and narrative writing.

Advanced Placement English
Two Semesters
Honors Course for Seniors
Requirement: A grade of "B" or higher in Honors American Literature and instructor approval.

Objectives
Language skills, especially as they relate to composition; Literary Skills and analysis of world literature and development of genres; Composition Skills; Style Analysis; Timed Writing