Sycamore High School 2017-18
English
SENIOR COMPOSITION
Level: 12 Prerequisites: Successful completion of Junior Composition & Literature Credit: 1/2
Semesters: 1
This course is designed for students who plan to pursue further education after high school and fulfill college entrance requirements. The students will have an opportunity to review the grammar of English, to read examples of good essay writing, to study writing theory, to independently study vocabulary, to think critically, to create effective essays expressing their personal opinions, to obtain teacher and student response to their writings, and to learn the steps in effective persuasive/argumentative composition. Some oral presentations may be assigned which would apply to outside nonfiction topics, and principles of style.
SENIOR LITERATURE
Level: 12 Prerequisites: Successful completion of Junior Composition & Literature Credit: 1/2
Semesters: 1
This course is highly recommended for the college-bound student who needs to fulfill college entrance requirements. Students will read and discuss major literary works from a broad range of eras, cultures, and movements. The works chosen for the course will be ones that have influenced the development of Western culture. Many of the most important literary figures contributing to Western literature will be studied, including (but not limited to) Homer, Virgil, Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, Chekhov, Ibsen and many others. Students will evaluate the technical and cultural effects of the works, exploring events and trends that influence the writer. They will also write literary essays based on close observation of the works.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION Level: 12 Prerequisites: See AP Requirements on Page 21 Credit: 1
Semesters: 2
This course is designed to engage students in careful reading and critical analysis of literary works written originally in English from a variety of cultures and eras. The primary focus, however, will be on literature from British and American authors from the sixteenth century to contemporary times. The course will include intensive study of representative works from various genres and eras with attention to both the literary artistry and the social and historical values these works reflect. Students will be encouraged to develop close reading skills which include attention to the following elements: the experience of literature, the interpretation of literature, and the evaluation of literature. Writing will also be an essential component of the course with assignments focusing on the critical analysis of literature, but also including a variety of expository, analytical, and argumentative essays. The instruction will include attention to developing and organizing ideas in clear, coherent, and persuasive language with much focus on nurturing stylistic maturity and sophistication. Students entering this course should possess a firm grasp of Standard English grammar, as our concentration on language use will be designed to enhance student ability to use these grammatical conventions appropriately to develop stylistic maturity. Timed writing assignments will also be assigned in preparation for the AP exam. Students registering for this course should be prepared for collegiate-level assignments and homework.
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