2111 CP English 1
Year Course – Required for Graduation
This course provides the students with an introduction to techniques of formal literary analysis. Through units on poetry, the short story, drama, non-fiction and the novel, teachers emphasize the distinguishing characteristics of major literary genres and the basic terminology essential to all literary discourse. In addition, the course provides students with help in the more general areas of reading comprehension, vocabulary building, and note taking.
The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge of the writing process in general, including its pre-writing, writing, and revising stages. Pre-writing stresses the thinking process, the process of generating ideas and information that goes into writing of any substance. Extensive work on fundamental grammar, English usage, and sentence structure and paragraph organization gives students a strong analytical knowledge of the formal writing stage. Finally, students learn the essential techniques of writing revision, including the correction of any conceptual, structural, or mechanical errors.
2201 CP English 2
Year Course – Required for Graduation
The sophomore English class builds on the literature and composition development of the freshman year. The composition portion of the course focuses on a review of grammar and sentence structure, English usage and mechanics. The course develops the three-step composition process learned in the freshman year. The literary portion entails analysis of the major genres. Teachers introduce techniques of close reading for literary analysis.
2301 CP English 3
Year Course – Required for Graduation
The literature portion of this course presents students with a chronological survey of American literature through selected works by traditionally accepted major authors. Background lectures and class discussions typically treat readings in the context of American intellectual and literary history. Classes also examine rhetorical and aesthetic issues common in the broader study of language and literary technique. Finally, teachers encourage students to begin formulating independent critical judgments of literature through study questions and essay assignments on assigned readings. The composition part of the course emphasizes the careful development of ideas in extended paragraphs and essays. Students work to refine their composition skills through a review of the basic elements of sound writing. Extensive work in revising helps prepare students for work in college composition.
2401 CP English 4
Year Course – Required for Graduation
The fourth year program in English is a survey course that begins with the Anglo-Saxon Age and concludes with the 20th Century. The history and development of the English language is studied in conjunction with the literature. Grammar rules and their application are reinforced by a deductive method of review. Composition assignments will guide the student from a critical analysis of the individual paragraph to a thorough understanding of the structure and development of the essay. Compositions will emphasize persuasion and literary review; the student will develop the skills necessary to compose a well-documented research paper.
British literature beginning with the Middle Ages and concluding with the early 20th century is surveyed in the English 4 course. Teachers place greatest emphasis on the author's use of literary techniques, the development of genres and the connection between literary expression and social and historical development. Themes are accorded due attention as they illuminate a period of human history. Classes explore a variety of critical approaches to the readings, including psychological, sociological, formalist, and historical methods. The chief aim of the course is to develop in students an understanding and appreciation of English literature. The course also emphasizes college preparatory writing with frequent essay assignments designed to teach students the essential elements of sophisticated persuasive and expository prose.
