Junior / Senior English COMMUNICATION

& COMPOSITION (137)

0.5

Credit Grades 11-12

One Semester

This course provides juniors and seniors with an opportunity to develop an essential form of communication: public speaking. It offers an overview of the process of communication and provides a variety of public speaking experiences. Through the study of and practice in the basic principles and techniques of effective oral communication, students will develop critical speaking and listening skills. The class emphasizes research, organized composition, and careful preparation. This course aids students who are apprehensive about public speaking situations as well as further advances the skills of those students who excel in this area.

Creative Writing

(146) 0.5

Credit Grades 11-12

One Semester

Focusing on the writing and analysis of poetry, short fiction, drama, memoir, professional writings, and other creative genres, students in this course will increase their aptitude as creative writers and analytical readers. Coursework includes multigenre analysis, class discussion, writing workshops, peer critique of studentauthored works, individualized writing assignments, and other learning activities. The course culminates in the compilation of student-authored portfolios.

Diverse Voices In World

LITERATURE (138)

0.5

Credit Grades 11-12

One Semester

The cannon of literature is filled with the voices of the powerful majority. In this course, students will broaden their horizons through the study of texts from underrepresented authors throughout literature. Students can expect regular literary analysis reading and a variety of writing assignments as they explore literature written by women, ethnic minorities, and other marginalized voices. This course has a reading requirement that must be completed prior to the first day of class.

REALISM IN LITERATURE (151)

0.5

Credit Grades 11-12

One Semester

In this one semester class, students will explore works from the Realistic literary period (1865-1915) incorporating history and art into their studies in an effort to explore how literary periods come about and then end. Students will also investigate contemporary realism and explore its connections to current life. Short stories and novels will come from both the American and British canon. Themes will include class social climbing, new wealth vs. old money, the expansion of the United States, slavery, and feminist issues. Representative authors may include Henry James, Edith Wharton, Jack London, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Delia Owens, and Kate Chopin among others. Students will hone their critical thinking skills as well as be expected to write reflections, an analysis of one of the works, and a critical paper. Students in this class will be expected to do a summer/winter reading assignment.

SHAKESPEARE (144)

0.5

Credit Grades 11-12

One Semester

In this course, students will examine Shakespeare as a comic, tragic, and historical playwright. Students can expect to become familiar with three of the Bard’s plays, many of his sonnets, and his biographical backdrop. The course culminates with a significant literary critical research paper. This course has a reading requirement that must be completed prior to the first day of class. (can be in the curriculum guide but should not show up in the course contracts)

SHORT STORIES (142)

0.5

Credit Grades 11-12

One Semester

This class will explore the ways the short story form has been used with a variety of settings and themes. Students will engage the unique properties of plot structure, tone, symbolism, and characterization in the tight quarters of short fiction, possibly including some poetry and film. Assignments will include short analyses and longer, comparative papers. Some creative writing and video production may also be involved. This course has a reading requirement that must be completed prior to the first day of class.

SPECULATIVE FICTION AS LITERATURE (139)

0.5

Credit Grades 11-12

One Semester

This one semester course examines different types of Speculative Fiction: primarily Dystopian, Science, Gothic, and Horror Fiction. Students will read short stories, novellas, and novels by authors such as Ray Bradbury, Ted Chiang, Shirley Jackson, and more! This course will explore how Speculative Fiction reflects societal and political concerns, along with issues of identity in our modern-day world. Students will deeply analyze texts through writing and class discussion, and will argue how literary elements and theme are developed and utilized in Speculative Fiction in order to bring attention to real-world issues.

20TH CENTURY LITERATURE (149)

0.5

Credit

Grades 11-12

One Semester

In this course, students will engage with literature throughout the 20th Century and will explore various aspects of literary criticism. Literature will be evaluated through a variety of critical lenses, including new historicism, feminism, post-colonialism, Marxism, and deconstructivism. Students will write regular literary analyses, which will include one research paper. This course has a reading requirement that must be completed prior to the first day of class.

AP LITERATURE & COMPOSITION

(131)

1.0 Credit Grade 11 Year Course

Advanced Placement (Prerequisite: English II-A and/or Teacher Recommendation)

The theme of this yearlong Advanced Placement (AP) class is “Narratives of Knowledge.” Juniors enrolled in this class will demonstrate special facility in analysis and critical thinking as they explore forms of knowledge in various media. Students will be expected to develop and demonstrate the writing and analytical skills necessary to succeed in an entry-level college English course. The first semester of the class focuses on the theme of appearance versus reality. In exploring how knowledge and truth are constructed, students will view a film and read Shakespeare, a novel, non-fiction, and short stories. Exploring narrative strategies, through several unconventional narratives, will be a secondary feature of the first semester. The second semester concentrates on the relationship between Romantic and Enlightenment values and the types of knowledge and experience promoted by each. In this portion of the course, students will respond critically and creatively to major British Romantic writers and important works of British literature such as Huxley’s Brave New World; Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility; Shelley’s Frankenstein; and Golding’s Lord of the Flies. During the year students will hone fine writing skills in their composition of formal literary and research papers. Students will also complete a variety of creative projects in response to the literature. In order to prepare for the AP exam, the class will include AP Literature exam practice exercises. Student who enroll in this course are required to take the AP Literature exam in May. Members of the class must be prepared to share their ideas as the class will be discussion based. The class includes a summer reading assignment.

AP LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION (150)

1.0 Credit Grade 12 Year Course

Advanced Placement (Prerequisite: AP Literature and Teacher Recommendation)

After completing this course, students will be able to comprehend, discuss, analyze, and appreciate both fiction and non-fiction works from a wide range of genres, times and locations. Students will be expected to demonstrate the writing and analysis skills necessary to succeed in any entry-level college course. In order to accomplish those objectives, the class is divided into four components, which are presented throughout the year. Students will:

1. Participate in the discussion and analysis of written works with an emphasis on rhetorical strategy

2. Learn and apply specific literary criticism techniques and theories

3. Complete Advanced Placement (AP) Language exam preparation exercises

4. Review and reinforce the language elements necessary for successful communication

Successful students will be self-motivated and always willing to improve analytical and composition skills. All students are expected to complete assignments on time and participate positively in class discussions. Students who enroll in this course are required to take the AP Language exam in May. There is a summer reading requirement.

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English Elective

YEARBOOK (174)

0.5 Credit Grades 11-12 Year Course

Prerequisite: Design and Digital Production or Teacher Recommendation

This year long course is focused on producing the school yearbook. Responsible and committed yearbook students will work as editors to produce the DHS yearbook, collaborate with other student contributors, and creatively work within an online program designing and producing this once yearly publication while meeting all set deadlines. There is also the expectation that after the yearbook is finished in late March, editors will work to recruit new students to plan for the following year’s edition. Students will be able to use their previously acquired writing, editing, photography, and creative skills, especially from previous English and Art courses to produce the yearbook. Students can also expect to further develop responsibility and a strong work ethic by making critical decisions for the design and production of the yearbook, editing others’ work, meeting deadlines, and producing a quality product for our alumni to enjoy for years to come.