English
By nurturing the ability to communicate in words, the language arts celebrate one of God’s greatest gifts to us: that of expression. To make sense of God’s creation, we study various writers’ interpretations of life regarding our world and culture, as well as response to others and to God Himself. God’s people are also expected to communicate to the world His news of love and redemption. Accordingly, students are given opportunities to develop their communication skills in the classroom in a variety of ways: responding to literature in journals, reading logs, papers and discussion; writing research papers; reading a variety of literature; studying the English language; and writing and presenting speeches.
ENGLISH 9: English 9 is a course which introduces analysis of literature, past and present, as well as a focus on rhetoric and composition. Students will learn skills in research, persuasive, and literary analysis writing. The course is taught as a themed-unit approach is used covering novels, short-stories, poetry, drama, and non-fiction.
SPEECH: Speech is designed to develop an understanding and appreciation of the communication process. The student will learn to develop skills in researching a topic, gathering and organizing materials for a speech, and delivering effective speeches to an audience. The student will learn to listen and evaluate oral communication effectively as well as to understand God’s plan for communication. (1 semester)
ENGLISH 10: World Literature provides students with an overview of some of the great poetry, prose, and individuals in the world community, with an in-depth focus on Ancient Greece as students read Homer’s Odyssey. This course will also focus on four main styles of writing: creative nonfiction, poetry, argumentative essays, and fictional short stories. Classroom focus will include reading and writing speeches, debates, and arguments using the classic rhetorical skills of ethos, pathos, and logos.
Prerequisite: English 9
ENGLISH 11: AMERICAN LITERATURE: American Literature focuses on the study of the evolution of American literature, emphasizing how it reflects society’s differing views of man and God throughout its time periods. Emphasis is placed on becoming familiar with American writers, styles, and philosophies, and understanding how expressed themes are prevalent in today’s society. Students will develop the ability to read literature with greater skill and understanding, and acquire the ability to write a critical analysis of American authors and literature.
Prerequisite: English 9 and World Literature (or teacher approval)
ENGLISH 12: BRITISH LITERATURE: British Literature provides students with a basic understanding of the English literary periods, including the Renaissance (1500-1660), Neoclassical (1660-1785), Romantic (1785-1837), and Modern periods with a special focus on the Victorian period (1837-1901). Students will develop new skills for writing, expand their vocabulary, read and discuss published material to use as models, and create a writing portfolio of multiple pieces of finished work. In addition, students will gain a deeper understanding of the writing process, grammar and style rules, MLA citation including annotated bibliographies, and research methods. This course will prepare students for the rigors of college-level research and writing.
Prerequisite: English 9 and English 11: American Literature
AP LANG: AP English Language engages students in becoming skilled readers of non-fiction prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and the way genre conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing.
Prerequisites: English 9, American Literature, and teacher recommendation
AP LIT: AP English Literature engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of novels, plays, short stories, and poetry. Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style and themes, as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism and tone. Students will expand their skills in crafting literary analysis essays based on poetry and prose.
Prerequisites: AP LANG
MEDIA STUDIES: A faith-based study of the history and development of the media. Students will learn and apply the eight concepts of media literacy. They will understand the impact of the media on today’s society and the Christian response. Media studied will include journalism, advertising, radio, television, and film.
FILM AND LITERATURE: This class is designed to help students analyze literary elements as demonstrated through film. Students will study characterization, symbols, proxemics, transitions, music, and cinematography, and analyze the way that different films use these elements to tell a story.
ENGLISH FOUNDATIONS (ESL): English Foundations is an entry-level English class for international students learning English. This class will focus on everyday speaking and listening and the basics of writing and reading. Cultural and daily life topics are covered as well.
ENGLISH TRANSITIONS (ESL): English Transitions is an upper level English class for international students. This class will focus on academic writing, revising and editing. The class will also have a reading comprehension component and deal with other language skills as needed.
