English (Cont.)

English Seminar: Happily Ever After: Evolution and Adaptation of European Folk Literature (0.5 credit, fall only)

Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Literature and Composition, Genre Studies

11th/12th

In this course, students will read and analyze English translations of famous folk literature from the Germanic, French, and Italian traditions. They will then track the evolution of these stories from their initial origins and context, to subsequent historical renditions, and on through to contemporary interpretations. Diverse adaptations will be explored, including poetry, opera, musical theater, ballet, visual art, television, and film, all inspired by the original story. Students will analyze each story’s elements, as well as the reasons behind changes made in subsequent versions, and the impact of those changes. Students will ultimately follow in the footsteps of the writers with two projects: creating their own original story, and adapting/reinterpreting/rewriting a wellknown tale in a different medium.

Advanced English Seminar: Individualism in American Literature (0.5 credit, fall only)

Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Literature and Composition, Genre Studies and Departmental recommendation

11th/12th

Since its inception, America has been a place where the spirit of individuality has flourished, and Americans, as a people, have long believed that independence and self-reliance are an integral part of our national character. Throughout our history, we have shown special regard for people and characters who follow their own ideals and beliefs rather than accepting the values of the masses. Over the course of the semester, we will follow those characters who stepped off the well-worn path to chart their own unique trail through the American landscape, and we will examine the complex interplay between the individual and the collective. Possible texts for the course include the following: Into the Wild, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Crucible, My Antonia, and Walden. Students will be asked to write personal responses and reflections on the reading throughout the course, and the major writing assessments will be varied--creative writing, close-reading analysis, and compare and contrast. Students in advanced courses should be prepared to write with clarity and technical proficiency and to display critical and creative thought in extended arguments. This course fulfills the American Literature requirement.

English Seminar: Middle Eastern Voices (0.5 credit, fall only)

Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Literature and Composition, Genre Studies

11th/12th

Middle Eastern Voices introduces students to contemporary literature of the Middle East. The course investigates the diversity of this region and analyzes how its contemporary literature complicates, questions, and contests stereotypical understandings of this part of the world. The course’s texts range across Middle Eastern literary worlds with an emphasis on diversity of perspective, content and genre. The course is discussion-based, and students will keep a reading journal throughout the semester. Assessments may include essays, creative writing, timed papers and graded discussions.

English Seminar: Nobel Prize Literature (0.5 credit, spring only)

Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Literature and Composition, Genre Studies

11th/12th

This course will explore novels, short stories, and poems, and essays that have been deemed to be among the finest in the world. The course will strive to grow an appreciation for literary merit, how it is determined, and the inherent controversies that come with a prize derived from it. We will also seek exposure to a wide array of cultural voices, as the Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded to works across the globe that resound both as emblems of their national voices and with themes of a universal humanity. We will read works from American authors who have been celebrated around the world, but we also read authors from Chile, Japan, French Algiers, or other regions of the world. Students will write both creatively and analytically, engage in regular class discussion, and participate in a culminating study on a Nobel laureate of their choice.

English Seminar: Nonfiction Writing for Publication (0.5 credit, spring only)

Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Literature and Composition, Genre Studies

11th/12th

This course offers students an exciting introduction to nonfiction writing centered on weekly reflection of all aspects of the Episcopal community. Through active investigation, teamwork, and careful thinking, students write fact and opinion pieces, ultimately publishing them in periodicals of their own with the possibility of distribution to Episcopal students, staff, and faculty. The semester begins with students reading a selection of award-winning journalistic pieces. These pieces serve as models for various journalistic forms and introduce the concepts of journalistic integrity, objectivity, and ethics. Shortly thereafter, we begin writing: each student takes responsibility for covering a part of our community and provides clear, concise, informative reflections of what they find. Students also have the opportunity to meet with and learn from professional journalists. Texts: The Elements of Journalism, selections from recent Pulitzer winners, major periodicals. Regular second semester classes will end when the seniors depart for their externships. For non-senior students, the month of May will be dedicated to studying the art of the personal essay, including specific instruction of the college essay. This course fulfills the writing requirement.

English Seminar: Playwriting Workshop (0.5 credit, spring only)

Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Literature and Composition, Genre Studies

11th/12th

This writing course focuses on one central question: What stories do I want to tell? While investigating the key elements of playwriting, we will examine the perspectives necessary for storytelling. A practical course exploring the fundamentals of the art and craft of Playwriting, including understanding