English (Cont.)

Advanced English Seminar: The Irish Influence: Short Story Writing Workshop (0.5 credit, fall only)

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

11th/12th

This Short Story Writing Workshop introduces students to classic and contemporary literature from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and course texts are diverse in both form and perspective. Irish writers are often grouped within the context of a British discussion of the Western literary canon, a mistake that has been slowly rectified in the post-colonial discussion, and students will examine how the Irish literary tradition has been shaped by factors such as colonization, immigration, religion, and nationalism as they workshop their own prose pieces. Specifically, students investigate the need of human beings to storytell – and how stories can be the voice of a larger movement – as they examine the short story as an essential but unique literary form. Within the traditional writing workshop setting, students learn to read as writers, provide critical analyses of their peers’ work, and filter feedback constructively in the editing process. Assessments may also include graded discussions, analytical responses, a semester-long independent project and a final analytical exam. 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 writing requirement.

English Seminar: Theater, from the Page to the Stage (0.5 credit, spring only)

Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Literature and Composition, Genre Studies

11th/12th

Theatre is a living, breathing art. This course will follow a simple formula to enjoy great drama: Read. Engage. Watch. Reflect. We will read aloud some of the most acclaimed plays in the theatrical canon as well as cutting-edge, contemporary scripts. In our studies, we will stage live scenes, discuss theatrical choices in direction and design, and, most importantly, attend live performances of these plays at professional theaters in the greater Washington D.C. area. Then, we will write informed, critical reviews of the works that we have so thoroughly considered. This course is perfect for artists, literati, and those who seek truth, but it is also a wonderful opportunity to learn about the realm of theater and how precious and intricate it is. 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.

English Seminar: Unmute Yourself: A Poetry Workshop (0.5 credit, fall only)

Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Literature and Composition, Genre Studies

11th/12th

Whether rooted in our own experiences or observations of the world around us, one thing is certain: we all have stories to tell. In this workshop, we invite students to draw upon these experiences to craft original pieces of varying poetic forms and influences. This class will introduce poetic techniques, challenge writers to share their work with the community, and give space to reflect on the creative process. Exploring the beauty and flexibility of this literary genre breathes life into Rita Dove’s words: “Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful.” This course fulfills the writing requirement.

Advanced English Seminar: Victorian Literature 0.5 credit, (fall only)

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

11th/12th

Queen Victoria’s reign began two years before Episcopal High School was founded and ended with her death in 1901. During Victoria’s time on the throne,

Britain and the world underwent a remarkable series of political, scientific, social, and aesthetic shifts. Meanwhile, writers and poets mined this continuous upheaval for their material, reflecting on, engaging with, and even shaping the changes. In this course, we will encounter the work of some of the better-known writers from this time period, while also exploring the voices of those on the margins of Victorian society. We will consider why Victorians wrote and what they wrote about, with an emphasis on their development of imagery and language of social criticism. We will examine the parallels between the Victorian age and today. Though we won’t read the longest novels of the 19th century, the reading load will be substantial in order that we may encounter more beloved and insightful authors from this time period. Significant independent study will allow students to better understand and contextualize the events and attitudes of 19th century Britain for themselves and their peers. Students in advanced courses should be prepared to write with clarity and technical proficiency and to display critical and creative thought in extended arguments.

Advanced English Seminar: Voices of the Harlem Renaissance (0.5 credit, fall only)

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

11th/12th

This course examines the American literary era known as the Harlem Renaissance, a period in the 1920s and 1930s when urban centers of the United States experienced a vibrant outpouring of music, art, and literature. We will consider this outpouring as a chorus of sorts: Black Americans memorializing their varied perspectives and identities in a way that collectively forms an indelible, indispensable, and irrefutable part of American culture. In addition, we will seek to understand the Harlem Renaissance in context (it follows certain literary traditions while running alongside others), and to interpret the cultural significance that it continues to have to this day. Our reading, watching, and listening will include thought-provoking novels, nonfiction, poetry, and essays, old-time and present-day music, and film. Assessments include occasional reflective writing assignments of one paragraph each, four short papers , two longer papers, and a final, independent project. 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.