SENIOR YEAR ENGLISH ELECTIVES

Communications I
Communications II
Creative Writing
Expository Writing
Humanities
Journalism
Modern American Novel
World Literature I
World Literature II
Modern Poetry
Shakespeare

Senior Year English Requirement

Each senior must take at least two English courses during the senior year: at least one course during each semester except for students participating in the Early Graduation Program. Taking one or more elective courses prior to the senior year does not exempt students from the senior requirement. Note that not all semester courses are offered in both the Fall and Spring. Argumentation and Debate, Drama I, and Advanced Drama do not satisfy the senior English requirement.

Communications I – Grade 12
Half Year - Level 3 Credits 2.5

This course surveys communication forms in today's society. Students study advertising, newspaper, film, and literature. Frequent essays and exams evaluate student progress. Selected projects using the VCR and television studio camera introduce the communications experience. Students acquire interpersonal and problem-solving skills in specific group activities.

Essential Benchmarks – Students will:
· Identify and categorize intended and subconscious messages sent via non-verbal communication
· Recognize advertising as a form of communication
· Conceptualize, plan, and produce a video project
· Assemble and execute a formal presentation using computer presentation software
· Understand the role of newspapers in society and their relationship to other media
· Utilize Internet search engines and web pages for research.

Communications II – Grade 12
Half Year - Level 3 Credits 2.5

The emphasis in this course is practical experience. Students will write and produce a radio program, a magazine or newspaper, and a television program. They will become familiar with the technical and performance aspects of the television studio. Reading and writing are stressed with several literary selections and essays each marking period. Students practice interpersonal and problem-solving skills in specific group activities.

Essential Benchmarks – Students will:
· Plan and perform a demonstration speech for a large audience
· Design and record a radio program
· Plan and produce television programs using proper terminology while developing shooting scripts and storyboards
· Operate video equipment including cameras, editors, sound boards and microphones
· Employ effective strategies in a job interview.

Creative Writing – Grades 11, 12
Half Year - Levels 1, 2 Credits 2.5

Students in this course utilize various techniques in the creation of dramatic scripts, short stories, and poems. They analyze and discuss the work of classmates and selected authors and adapt elements of craftsmanship to facilitate the expression of their own experiences and imagination. Students may keep a daily journal to build their powers of observation and expression. They are expected to enhance their editing and revision skills. Creative writing is not a remedial writing course.

Essential Benchmarks – Students will:
· Confidently express, through language, perceptions of self and the world
· Appraise, using sound standards, their own and others’ use of language
· Summarize, interpret, analyze, and present personal writings and the writings of others
· Observe and record with precision the detailed ways in which people of varied ages, gender, and social status, experience and express their reality
· Write successful scripts, short stories, and poetry using a process which includes free writing, observation, research, experimentation with form and content, drafting, revision, editing, and sharing with others.

Expository Writing – Grade 12
Half Year - Level H, 1, 2 Credits 2.5

This course is available to all seniors. Students wishing to enroll in the UConn Co op Program in English must register for Expository Writing-Honors. Primarily a writing course, this program also will develop critical thinking and critical reading skills. Students will be encouraged to write about issues raised in Social Studies, Science, or other courses. Texts utilized include a handbook of grammar and usage and an anthology of expository writing used to illustrate the principles and strategies of effective writing. Students write eight papers (3-5 double spaced pages) which are analyzed in detail from the instructor.

Essential Benchmarks – Students will:
· Identify the thesis of a nonfiction work and distinguish its leading from secondary points
· Judge the validity with which conclusions are drawn from evidence
· Construct and sustain a logical argument
· Document sources appropriately
· Select and utilize suitable rhetorical methods and stylistic approaches in developing essays
· Develop an individual voice as a writer.

Expository Writing – Grade 12
Half Year - Level 3 Credits 2.5

Primarily a composition course, this program develops critical thinking and critical reading skills in
students. They will develop a positive attitude about oral and written communication and a strong desire to
participate in communication. The course involves frequent writing and sharing of student compositions.
Highly recommended for L-3 students who plan to attend college.

Essential Benchmarks – Students will:
· Identify the thesis of a nonfiction work and distinguish its leading from secondary points
· Judge the validity with which conclusions are drawn from evidence
· Construct and sustain a logical argument
· Document sources appropriately
· Select and utilize suitable rhetorical methods and stylistic approaches in developing essays.


Humanities – Grade 12
Full Year - Level H, 1E (by contract) Credits 5

This full-year course is intended for college-bound seniors interested in an intensive study of trends in literature, history, art, and music which have shaped Western culture. It is team taught by English and Social Studies teachers. Students will have the opportunity to contract the appropriate level. Teachers will modify assignments and expectations according to the contracted level. This course satisfies the senior English requirement.

Essential Benchmarks – Students will:
· Identify important terms, places, people and events of each period studied
· Articulate a brief statement of the philosophy or worldview of each period
· Articulate how the significant works of literature of each period reflect the culture
· Develop historical thinking skills including research and analysis of
historical sources in order to understand the concept of historical causation
· Research elements of a culture using a wide range of electronic and print
sources and integrate findings in a coherent report.

Journalism – Grades 11, 12
Half Year - Level 1, 2 Credits 2.5

Work in this course focuses on writing news stories, features, and editorials. Also covered are the principles
and techniques of researching and conducting interviews, exploring the role of news media in terms of
social responsibility, developing a sound journalistic writing style, preparing and writing an independent
research project, and comparing print and non-print journalism including on-line publications. Students are
expected to improve writing skills, to become more discerning news consumers, and to broaden their
knowledge of local and global issues.

Essential Benchmarks – Students will:
· Demonstrate journalistic writing skills and style in writing hard news
stories, editorials and features
· Understand and use appropriate terminology
· Demonstrate the ability to interview people and incorporate that
information in written articles
· Research a significant issue that affects the school and students, using a
wide range of electronic and print sources, as well as interviews, and create
from the data an investigative report in appropriate journalistic format.

Modern American Novel – Grades 11, 12
Half Year - Levels 1, 2 Credits 2.5

This course features prominent American novelists of the 20th Century including Hemingway, Steinbeck, Hurston, Wright, Malamud, Salinger, Kesey, Morrison, and Naylor. Class discussion focuses on themes and character development with an emphasis on trends and background. Students read one novel every two
to three weeks and complete a paper of three to five pages for each novel.

Essential Benchmarks – Students will:
· Understand how authors create novels through character and theme development, imagery, symbolism, tone and mood
· Explain how novels reflect particular visions of the American psyche and the culture of the period
· Compare and contrast novelists’ visions to gain insight into and see connections between perspectives
· Demonstrate increased skill in writing and higher level thinking.

World Literature I – Grade 12
Half Year - Levels H, 1, 2, 3 Credits 2.5

Students in this course will apply critical skills to representative literature of various types and lengths by authors from various countries. It is organized into thematic units that stress social and emotional diversity and the common experience of literature. Class ability will determine literature selections and the frequency of writing assignments. Essays will address analysis, theme, or narrative detail and structure. Students enrolled in the UConn Co-op Program must register for World Lit. I – Honors.

Essential Benchmarks – Students will:
· Understand the cultural and philosophical bases of a broad spectrum of world literature
· Reflect upon the universal themes that exist in world literature
· Formulate essential questions for further exploration
· Demonstrate increased skill in writing and higher level thinking
· Understand the influence that time, place, and cultural values have on theme and form.

World Literature II – Grade 12
Half Year - Levels H, 1, 2, 3 Credits 2.5

This course is similar in approach to World Literature I. Thematic units provide students with the opportunity to compare and contrast a variety of literature by authors from around the world. Class ability will determine the type and frequency of writing assignments. This course may be taken independent of World Literature I. Students enrolled in the UConn Co-op Program must register for World Literature II - Honors.

Essential Benchmarks – Students will:
· Understand the cultural and philosophical bases of a broad spectrum of world literature
· Reflect upon the universal themes that exist in world literature
· Formulate essential questions for further exploration
· Demonstrate increased skill in writing and higher level thinking
· Understand the influence that time, place, and cultural values have on theme and form.

Modern Poetry – Grade 12
Half Year - Level H Credits 2.5

The course will focus on twentieth century American poetry. The emphasis will be on close reading and
analysis designed to give students methods of analysis and experience to become more responsive readers
and writers. Students will discuss the concerns and subject matter of poetry and a consideration of the
problems of writers and their craft. Students will create critical essays and original poetry.

Essential Benchmarks – Students will:
· Respond to poetry using both subjective experience and objective critical methods
· Contrast and compare the works of prominent American poets of the 20th century
· Write original poetry which reflects principles and practices examined in the course
· Present oral performances of poetry.

Shakespeare – Grade 12
Half Year - Level 1 Credits 2.5

This course presents the opportunity for the student to extend and deepen his/her enjoyment of Shakespeare. The particular plays studied will represent a sampling of Shakespeare's tragedies, histories, and comedies. The emphasis is upon reading for meaning and on discussion of important humanistic and philosophical issues in the plays. Written assignments of various lengths and types are required in conjunction with each play.

Essential Benchmarks – Students will:
· Speak the language of Shakespeare with fluidity and understanding
· Demonstrate an understanding of the richness and multiplicity of meaning in Shakespeare’s plays
· Draw comparisons and contrasts of characters and themes in various Shakespearean works
· Draw connections between the social and political issues represented in Shakespeare’s plays and similar issues of the present day.