English

4 credits required

Course Grade Level Difficulty Level Credit Prerequisite Focus* 9,10,11,12 1 See course description English I CP 9 College Prep 1 See course description English I Honors 9 Honors 1 See course description English II CP 10 College Prep 1 English I CP English II Honors 10 Honors 1 See course description AP Seminar 10 Honors 1 English I or Eng I Hon English III CP 11 College Prep 1 English II CP AP English Language and Composition 11 Honors 1 See course description English IV CP 12 College Prep 1 English III CP AP English Literature and Composition 12 Honors 1 See course description AP Research* 11,12 Honors 1 AP Seminar Human Experience & Cultural Perspectives* 9,10,11,12 College Prep ½ See course description Journalism and Creative Writing* 9,10,11,12 College Prep ½ See course description Nonfiction and the Documentary* 10,11,12 College Prep ½ See course description Yearbook/Publications* 10,11,12 College Prep 1 See course description

* Course does not satisfy the English requirement, but credit counts as an elective

FOCUS

Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12 Course Credit: 1 elective credit, 5 periods/week, full year Students in this course will also be enrolled in a core English course.

This elective credit course is designed to enhance foundational math and reading skills based on staff recommendations. Students work at their individual level on either reading and/or math skills and are assisted with any questions or needs they have within their regular coursework. The emphasis is on skill development, but teachers also provide a grade check once a week to monitor work completion in all classes.

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation Fees: None NOTE: This course may not be substituted for required English courses.

ENGLISH I CP

Grade Level: 9 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year

Description: In this course, freshmen continue the formal study of literature and non-fiction. Students study literary devices and read and analyze short stories, poetry, drama, non-fiction, and the novel. Students study vocabulary and formal grammar including parts of speech, punctuation, sentence sense, correct agreement, and capitalization. They are also required to write creative and persuasive compositions, and to develop proficiency in paragraphing, sentence structure, and organization. Students in this course will be required to write a research 28

paper. During the summer prior to the ninth grade, students are required to complete summer work to be announced prior to the end of the school year.

Prerequisite: None Fees: $27.00

ENGLISH I HONORS

Grade Level: 9 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year, weighted grade

Description: English I Honors is offered for students with exceptional talent and interest in English Language Arts. The core curriculum, although the same as English I CP, is enhanced by additional challenging literary selections. In general, the quantity and quality of work expected from students is greater. In addition, summer work is required and will be assigned prior to the end of the school year.

Prerequisite: Enrollment based on past performance in English, the recommendation of the student’s 8th grade English instructor. Fees: $27.00

ENGLISH II CP

Grade Level: 10 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year

Description: Students continue their study of literature through short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Throughout unit studies, students will develop proficiency in writing, making specific choices about paragraphing, structuring sentences, utilizing mechanics, and organizing a formal essay. Units are arranged thematically, so students will also be asked to think through essential questions, making regular connections between course content and the real world, developing these understandings in the form of writing, reading, and presentations. Summer work is required and will be assigned prior to the end of the preceding school year.

Prerequisite: English I CP Fees: $27.00

ENGLISH II HONORS

Grade Level: 10 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year, weighted grade

Description: English II Honors is offered for students with exceptional talent and interest in English Language Arts. The core curriculum, although the same as English II CP, is enhanced by additional challenging literary selections. In general, the quantity and quality of work expected from students is greater. Additional summer reading and a research project are required.

Prerequisite: Enrollment based on past performance in English, the recommendation of the student’s English I instructor. Fees: $ 27.00

ADVANCED PLACEMENT SEMINAR (offered in ’24-’25 and every other year thereafter)

Grade Level: 10 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year, weighted grade

AP Seminar is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Students learn to investigate a problem or issue, analyze arguments, compare different perspectives, synthesize information from multiple sources, and work alone and in a group to communicate their ideas. (From College Board / AP Course Overview)

To earn AP credit, students will complete group and individual projects and presentations, as well as sit for the end-of-course exam. Students who enroll in this course fulfill the prerequisite for the AP Capstone Research course and may work toward a Capstone Diploma.

Students interested in taking this course should be self-driven, engaged, and open-minded. They will be required to submit writing samples before being enrolled in this course.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of English I or English I Honors and submission of a writing sample. Fees: $27 and $145.00 for the Advanced Placement Seminar exam.

ENGLISH III CP

Grade Level: 11 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year.

Description: In this course, juniors study American literature in a survey approach. During this study, students read and analyze short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and the novel. Students are required both to do extensive work in critical analysis and other forms of expository writing including a research paper on a non-literary topic. Through written assignments, students will continue to develop proficiency in paragraphing, structuring sentences and utilizing mechanics. Students will have summer work to prepare for the school year.

Prerequisite: English II CP Fees: $27.00

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION

Grade Level: 11, 12 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year, weighted grade

Description: The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on the development and revision of evidencebased analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts— including images as forms of text—from a range of disciplines and historical periods. (From College Board / AP Course Overview)

This course is for students who exhibit exceptional talent in English. The quantity and quality of work expected from students is greater than that of English III College Preparatory; thus, students must be prepared to manage time wisely and utilize developed study skills.

It is assumed students will take the AP exam in May as many colleges award credit when students achieve a score of 3 or higher on the exam.

Prerequisite: Recommendation of sophomore English instructor, and/or permission of Advanced Placement English Language and Composition instructor. Multiple texts are required as summer reading. Fees: $27.00 and $97.00 for the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition exam.

ENGLISH IV CP

Grade Level: 12 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year

Description: In this course, students will study the four modes of writing: narrative, descriptive, expository, and argumentative. Special attention will be paid to developing voice, style, and structure. Additionally, students will sharpen their research skills, including building familiarity with multiple style guides and citation methodologies (e.g., APA and MLA). Students will be required to complete a research paper that culminates in a multimedia presentation and an oral defense of their work. In addition to whole-class students of classic texts and poetry, students’ fiction and nonfiction reading will be self-selected, with the goal of having each student graduate high school with a well-articulated and complex skill set and mindset that will serve their endeavors and interests beyond high school.

Summer work is required and will be assigned prior to the end of the preceding school year.

Prerequisite: English III CP Fees: $ 27.00

ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION

Grade Level: 12 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year, weighted grade

Description: The AP English Literature and Composition course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works. (From College Board / AP Course Overview)

It is assumed that students will take the AP exam in the spring as many colleges award credit when students achieve a score of 3 or above on the exam.

Prerequisite: AP English Language and Composition, recommendation of junior English instructor, or permission of Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition instructor. In addition, students must read three (3) required books and complete assignments during the summer prior to their senior year. Fees: $27.00 and $97.00 for the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition exam.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT RESEARCH (offered in ’2024-‘25 and alternating years thereafter)

Grade Level: 11 or 12 Course Credit: 1 elective credit, 5 periods/week, full year, weighted grade Students in this course will also be enrolled in a core English course.

Description: In this course, students will deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Through this exploration, students design, plan, and conduct a year-long research-based investigation to address a 31

research question. In the AP Research course, students further their skills acquired in the AP Seminar course by understanding research methodology; employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address a research question. Students explore their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of the development of their scholarly work in a portfolio. The course culminates in an academic paper of approximately 4000-5000 words (accompanied by a performance or exhibition of product where applicable) and a presentation with an oral defense.

AP Research is the second course in the AP Capstone program. AP Seminar is a prerequisite for AP Research. If you earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research and on four additional AP exams of your choosing, you will receive the AP Capstone Diploma. This signifies outstanding academic achievement and attainment of college-level academic and research skills. Alternatively, if you earn scores of 3 or higher in AP Seminar and AP Research only, you will receive the AP Seminar and Research Certificate.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of AP Seminar Fees: $145.00 for the Advanced Placement Capstone Seminar exam NOTE: This course may not be substituted for required English courses.

HUMAN EXPERIENCE AND CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12 Course Credit: ½ credit, 5 periods/week, one semester

Description: This course equips students with a critical lens to see the world and their place in it by supporting them in the important work of learning and reflecting about the human experience and interpersonal relationships. Students will explore and think critically about their own lived and living experiences, as well as seek out diverse perspectives. Students will be supported in becoming comfortable in new situations, preventing incorrect assumptions, and breaking down biases. Ultimately--by fostering curiosity, open-mindedness, awareness, and reflection--students will develop leadership skills as participants in a global world.

Prerequisite: None Fees: None NOTE: This course may not be substituted for required English courses

JOURNALISM and CREATIVE WRITING

Grade Level: 9,10,11,12 Course Credit: ½ credit, 5 periods/week, one semester Description: Students will create, in a writing workshop atmosphere, a wide variety of pieces. Ultimately students will be writers and editors contributing to our student led writing publication: The Blueprint. They will learn and engage in all parts of the writing process whether working on more traditional news journalism or more creative pieces, such as poetry, short stories or creative nonfiction. This course allows students to stretch their writing muscles in a unique way, challenging them to publish for an authentic audience of their peers.

Prerequisite: None Fees: None NOTE: This course may not be substituted for required English courses and may be repeated for credit

NONFICTION AND THE DOCUMENTARY

Grade Level: 10,11,12 Course Credit: ½ credit, 5 periods/week, one semester

Description: Students will read compelling nonfiction and view carefully selected documentaries that complement one 32

another. Students will engage in lively and scholarly dialogue over and analysis of both the text and documentary. Possible texts and documentaries include Nickel and Dimed and Walmart: the High Cost of Low Prices; Fast Food Nation, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, or In Defense of Food and Supersize Me, Food Inc., Vegucated, or Forks Over Knives, Into Thin Air and the IMAX Everest film. Other compelling nonfiction may include Wes Moore’s The Other Wes Moore, Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods, and Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild.

Prerequisite: None Fees: None NOTE: This course may not be substituted for required English courses

YEARBOOK PUBLICATION

Grade Level: 10,11,12 Course Credit: 1 credit, 5 periods/week, full year

Description: This course is open to students grade 10-12 who have an interest in creating the yearbook. Students will be given an opportunity to use their creativity and ideas to produce the Mariemont High School yearbook. They will be responsible for all aspects of creating, editing, and publishing. Students will learn about theme development, photography, copywriting, editing and adherence to style rules. They will also experience the business of publishing a yearbook, which includes sales and fundraising. The students will learn how to efficiently and effectively use online tools to design and create the yearbook. Students could be assigned editor’s responsibilities.

Prerequisite: Application to the instructor. Fees: $10.00 NOTE: This course may not be substituted for required English courses and may be repeated for credit