English
Following the direction of the Kennedy-Kenrick Catholic school philosophy, the English Department commits itself to improving academic excellence in thinking, speaking, and writing. This commission is fostered through the emphasis placed on spiritual and moral values as revealed in literature and in debate, and on the mutual recognition of the dignity of all faculty and students in the interchange of ideas, both spoken and written. It is further fostered through the invitation to students to perfect their talents and skills in the many modes of language expression.
HONORS ENGLISH I: Literary Genres/Composition 1
111 Grade 9 Track 1 1.00 Credit
Course Description: The superior student in Honors English studies the short story, novel, biography, myth, drama, essay, and poem in greater depth than the average freshman student. Receptive skills (reading and listening) and expressive skills (writing and speaking) are encouraged and emphasized. Thus, as the student reads literary genres, he/she commences the skills for critical papers, and participates in group discussion of literary techniques, authors, comparisons, and contrasts. To strengthen basic skills, the student also continues to work with grammar, and speech techniques, and begins the first phase of a four-year (4) vocabulary program.
ENGLISH I: Literary Genres / Composition 1
Course Description: The freshman English program covers literary genres, written and spoken language arts, and library skills. The study of literature includes selections of short stories, poems, and works of non-fiction, along with dramas and novels. In language arts study, basic skills in writing are strongly emphasized as concepts in grammar and usage are reviewed as needed or writing accuracy and improvement. In addition, the student begins the first phase of a four-year (4) vocabulary program, and practices basic speech and listening skills aimed at giving him/her self-confidence.
HONORS ENGLISH II: American Literature / Composition II
Course Description: The Honors English II course examines in-depth the essential character of the American through in-class and independent readings of short stories, sketches, essays, novels, poems, biographies, and dramas selected from representative movements in American literature. The student is encouraged to develop clear, precise written and oral communication skills through a variety of composition, speech, and class discussion assignments, completion of the standard freshman college English course; viz., the ability to read mature works of literature independently of the teacher and to discuss and write about meaning and technique in a logical, persuasive manner. The course includes intensive reading and extensive writing. At the end of the year, the student is required to take the ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMINATION in English Literature and Composition, which may earn college credit or advanced standing or both, depending upon the college entered.
ENGLISH IV: World Literature / Composition IV
Course Description: Senior English is designed to broaden the student’s horizons by exposing the student to examples of World literature ranging from the Classical writings of ancient Eastern and Western cultures, to contemporary writings of world-recognized authors. Using selected works of non-English speaking authors in translation, the course explores those values and ideas common to all cultures, and those unique to them. Language Arts study, including vocabulary, speech, and the writing process, is continued in accordance with Archdiocesan guidelines.
152 Journalism –Track 2 – Grade 11/12 – 1 semester – 0.5 credit
This course is open to those interested in learning the basics of journalism within the production of the yearbook, Kennections. The course includes the theory as well as the application of layout design, copy writing and editing, headline writing, interpretative writing and in-depth reporting. Criteria for choosing good photographs, cropping them and writing informative captions will be covered. Journalistic ethics and sound judgment will reflect the Kennedy-Kenrick Mission Statement on which our school is based
ENGLISH I: Literary Genres / Composition 1
112 Grade 9 Track 2 1.00 Credit
113 Grade 9 Track 3 1.00 Credit
114 Grade 9 Track 4 1.00 Credit
Admission Prerequisites: Evaluation of standardized testing, academic performance, and approval of chairperson.
Course Description: The freshman English program covers literary genres, written and spoken language arts, and library skills. The study of literature includes selections of short stories, poems, and works of non-fiction, along with dramas and novels. In language arts study, basic skills in writing are strongly emphasized as concepts in grammar and usage are reviewed as needed or writing accuracy and improvement. In addition, the student begins the first phase of a four-year (4) vocabulary program, and practices basic speech and listening skills aimed at giving him/her self-confidence.
HONORS ENGLISH II: American Literature / Composition II
121 Grade 10 Track 1 1.00 Credit
Admission Prerequisites: Honors English I, and/or approval of teacher and Chairperson.
Course Description: The Honors English II course examines in-depth the essential character of the American through in-class and independent readings of short stories, sketches, essays, novels, poems, biographies, and dramas selected from representative movements in American literature. The student is encouraged to develop clear, precise written, and oral communication skills through a variety of composition, speech, and class discussion assignments.
ENGLISH II: American Literature / Composition II
122 Grade 10 Track 2 1.00 Credit
123 Grade 10 Track 3 1.00 Credit
124 Grade 10 Track 4 1.00 Credit
Admission Prerequisites: Approval of teacher and Chairperson.
Course Description: Sophomore English provides a survey of the representative movements in American literature along with the significant writers and their works, and examines the role of this literature in representing American values and ideals. The basic vocabulary program introduced in freshman year continues, and advanced studies in descriptive, narrative, and expository writing are provided with concepts in grammar and usage reviewed as needed.
HONORS ENGLISH III: British Literature / Composition III
131 Grade 11 Track 1 1.00 Credit
Admission Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation, high stanines in Terra Nova test, exemplary writing sample, and/or approval of Department Chair.
Course Description: Honors English III offers to juniors the opportunity to participate in a two-year sequential program which provides the potential for them as senior Advanced Placement students to earn from three (3) to six (6) semester hours of college credit through the AP testing program. In junior year, the course contains a survey of British literature from the Anglo-Saxon to the contemporary, as well as miscellaneous supplementary readings in British literature. Strong emphasis is placed on class discussion in order to enhance the student’s ability to critique and analyze material independently. Students will also devote considerable time to vocabulary and writing skills in order to aid performance in SATs, and to facilitate their critical approaches to literature and other areas. (A Research Paper is required.)
ENGLISH III: British Literature/Composition III
132 Grade 11 Track 2 1.00 Credit
133 Grade 11 Track 3 1.00 Credit
134 Grade 11 Track 4 1.00 Credit
Admission Prerequisites: Approval of teacher and Chairperson
Course Description: Junior English is devoted to a survey of British literature from the Anglo-Saxon to the contemporary. Language arts study, including vocabulary, speech, and the writing process, continues in accordance with the recommended Archdiocesan guidelines.
SENIOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) ENGLISH
145 Grade 12 Track 5 1.00 Credit
Admission Prerequisites: Honors English III, and approval of Chairperson.
Course Description: Advanced placement is open to those students who have successfully completed Honors English III. The goal of this course is to equip the student with the same skill.
Completion of the standard freshman college English course; viz., the ability to read mature works of literature independently of the teacher and to discuss and write about meaning and technique in a logical, persuasive manner. The course includes intensive reading and extensive writing. At the end of the year, the student is required to take the ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMINATION in English Literature and Composition, which may earn college credit or advanced standing or both, depending upon the college entered.
ENGLISH IV: World Literature / Composition IV
141 Grade 12 Track 1 1.00 Credit
142 Grade 12 Track 2 1.00 Credit
143 Grade 12 Track 3 1.00 Credit
144 Grade 12 Track 4 1.00 Credit
Admission Prerequisites: Approval of teacher and Chairperson.
Course Description: Senior English is designed to broaden the student’s horizons by exposing the student to examples of World literature ranging from the Classical writings of ancient Eastern and Western cultures, to contemporary writings of world-recognized authors. Using selected works of non-English speaking authors in translation, the course explores those values and ideas common to all cultures, and those unique to them. Language Arts study, including vocabulary, speech, and the writing process, is continued in accordance with Archdiocesan guidelines.
152 Journalism –Track 2 – Grade 11/12 – 1 semester – 0.5 credit
This course is open to those interested in learning the basics of journalism within the production of the yearbook, Kennections. The course includes the theory as well as the application of layout design, copy writing and editing, headline writing, interpretative writing and in-depth reporting. Criteria for choosing good photographs, cropping them and writing informative captions will be covered. Journalistic ethics and sound judgment will reflect the Kennedy-Kenrick Mission Statement on which our school is based.
