English/Language Arts

Prerequisite: Meet two out of the three criteria for Honors Course Selection

The English 9 curriculum is CT Core State Standards aligned and emphasizes reading and writing across genres. Students will explore four conceptually-based units of study to develop their analytic and critical thinking skills. By the end of the course, students should be able to effectively engage with and respond to multi-modal text by interpreting, connecting with, critically evaluating diverse works and supporting their positions with relevant textual evidence and elaborate explanations. An emphasis on argumentation will require students to evaluate academic sources, synthesize information and properly cite these sources using MLA standards.

Prerequisite: Meet two out of the three criteria for Honors Course Selection

The English 10 curriculum is CT Core State Standards aligned and emphasizes reading and writing across genres. Students will explore four conceptually-based units of study to develop their analytic and critical thinking skills. By the end of the course, students should be able to effectively engage with and respond to multi-modal text by interpreting, connecting with, critically evaluating diverse works and supporting their positions with relevant textual evidence and elaborate explanations with increasing sophistication. The course will require students to evaluate academic sources, synthesize information and properly cite these sources using MLA standards.

Prerequisite: Meet two out of the three criteria for Honors Course Selection

The English 11 curriculum is CT Core State Standards aligned and emphasizes reading and writing across genres.  Students will explore four conceptually-based units of study to develop their analytic and critical thinking skills. By the end of the course, students should be able to effectively engage with and respond to multi-modal text by interpreting, connecting with, critically evaluating diverse works and supporting their positions with relevant textual evidence and elaborate explanations with increasing sophistication.  Students will also acquire the habits of reading independently and closely, which are essential to their future success in college, career, and life. The course will require students to evaluate academic sources, synthesize information and properly cite these sources using MLA standards.

This seminar will provide a multi-genre introduction to the craft of creative writing. In the setting of a writing workshop classroom, students will examine literary conventions as well as the writing techniques and tools essential to effective writing, editing and communication. Students will read and write across genres.  Communication skills will be a key component of the course, as sharing work and responding to the work of other students is essential to the workshop process. Students will complete the course compiling a portfolio with a minimum of four major pieces of finished writing including an argumentative essay, informative expository essay, personal narrative/college essay and a creative project.

Prerequisite: Meet two out of the three criteria for Honors Course Selection

Honors Creative and Nonfiction Writing is an accelerated course for motivated readers and writers who have clearly demonstrated strong language arts ability. Students who select this class must be able to employ accurate grammatical conventions, logical organization and a sophisticated vocabulary in their writing. The focus of the course is to help students write effectively in different forms (narrative, descriptive, expository, analytical and argumentative), for different purposes and audiences. Students will improve and incorporate rhetorical strategies into their own writing. The course will require students to evaluate academic sources, synthesize information and properly cite these sources using MLA standards.

This seminar will explore universal themes central to our lifetime. Using contemporary works, students will explore the themes of modern society, cultural conflict, marginalized identities, the influence of technology, and others relevant to current student interest. Critical thinking, essay writing, researching and speaking skills will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: Meet two out of the three criteria for Honors Course Selection

This accelerated seminar for advanced learners focuses on universal themes central to our lifetime. Students will examine the intense reaction of modern writers to the perceived contradictions and restrictions of traditional thinking and writing. Students will analyze the experimental nature of form and the writers’ pessimistic view of reality. Ultimately, students will develop empathy for isolated individuals and understand them as products of their circumstances.

This seminar will explore the themes central to the creative literary subgenres of myth, legend, science fiction, fantasy and gothic. Students will read various classics and modern works.  Critical thinking, essay writing, researching and speaking skills will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: Meet two out of the three criteria for Honors Course Selection

Honors Mythology, Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature is an accelerated course for motivated readers and writers who have clearly demonstrated strong language arts ability. Students will read various pieces of literature that explore the realms of mythology, science fiction and fantasy; these will include classics and modern works. Students will question the characteristics of the genre and address concerns, themes and motifs that arise from reading the texts. The course will ultimately answer the question, “How are mythology, science fiction and fantasy writing distinctive?” The literature will allow students to understand the appeal of this genre and to become better problem solvers by stretching the mind to new possibilities. By the end of the course, students will be encouraged to create a publishable work of mythology, science fiction, fantasy or gothic. Critical thinking, essay writing, researching and speaking skills will be emphasized.

This seminar takes students on a millennial-long journey of literature to provide a survey of classic canonical texts through the ages. Through writings of the ancient Greeks, stories from the Bible, works from Shakespeare, poetry from the Romantic period and texts from the Victorian time period; students will explore the cultural impact that each work and writer made in their time period and why each work also stands the test of time to be considered “classic literature.” Close reading, critical thinking, essay writing, researching and speaking skills will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: Meet two out of the three criteria for Honors Course Selection

This accelerated seminar for advanced learners focuses on universal themes throughout history. Students will examine and investigate historical writings’ place in today’s classrooms. Through study of literature across the ages, students will explore the cultural impact that each work and writer made in their time period and whether each work is able to stand the test of time and be considered classic literature. Close reading, critical thinking, essay writing, researching and speaking skills will be emphasized.

This seminar introduces students to the fundamentals of advertising, marketing, journalism, and the 24-hour news cycle.  Students will learn about the tools and media used to communicate with the public; the role of newspapers, magazines, movies, radio, internet, social media and television; how advertisements do more than entertain and sell more than just products; and the importance of persuasive communication in a rapidly evolving media environment.  Students will write original stories and reports and learn how to use digital tools for storytelling and reporting.  Students will also engage in critical, cultural and historical analysis of a wide variety of media including advertisements and news stories.  Close reading, critical thinking, essay writing, researching and speaking skills will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: Meet two out of the three criteria for Honors Course Selection

Honors Advanced Composition, News and Media advances student knowledge of advertising, marketing, journalism, and the 24-hour news cycle.  Students will analyze and evaluate tools and media used to communicate with the public; the role of newspapers, magazines, movies, radio, internet, social media and television; how advertisements do more than entertain and sell more than just products; and the importance of persuasive communication in a rapidly evolving media environment.  Students will write original stories and reports and learn how to use digital tools for storytelling and reporting.  Students will also engage in critical, cultural and historical analysis of a wide variety of media including advertisements and news stories.  Students will produce and curate original stories and reports and use digital tools to create a school-based production.  Close reading, critical thinking, essay writing, researching and speaking skills will be emphasized.

This seminar introduces students to the critical study of theater and film to deepen their understanding of the cinematic and performative experience. Students will analyze various texts including plays, screenplays, non-fiction texts and films to explore the genres of comedy and tragedy. Students will study Aristotle’s trajectory of tragedy and use that as a baseline to explore both classic and contemporary tragic heroes. Various forms of comedy including parodies, slapstick and satirical comedy will also be studied. Students will research the language of cinema in order to view films more effectively including elements of cinematography, sound, staging, editing and film directing. Close reading, critical thinking, essay writing, researching and speaking skills will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: Meet two out of the three criteria for Honors Course Selection

This accelerated seminar for advanced learners introduces students to the critical study of theater and film to deepen their understanding of the cinematic and performative experience. Students will analyze and evaluate the cinematic and theatrical elements in various texts including plays, screenplays, non-fiction texts, and films to explore the genres of film and media. Students will research how directors use setting, sound effects, visual effects, and acting techniques to make us laugh and cry, to make us think and wonder. Close reading, critical thinking, essay writing, researching and speaking skills will be emphasized.

Prerequisite: Meet two out of the three criteria for Honors Course Selection.

(NCAA Approved Course) See section XV for Honors/Advanced Level Selection Criteria

This college-level course is designed to prepare students not yet qualified to take Seminar in Academic Writing and Seminar in Writing through Literature but who would benefit from a preparatory course that carries college credit. The course focuses on the development of reading and writing skills essential to college work. The course includes revision of formal assignments and instruction on grammar, mechanics and style. Students who enroll in the UCONN Early College Experience (ECE) program and successfully complete this course are eligible to earn four (4) UCONN college credits for the Basic Writing course, ENGL1004. This course meets graduation requirements for CTECS English.

Prerequisite: Meet two out of the three criteria for Honors Course Selection.

(NCAA Approved Course) See section XV for Honors/Advanced Level Selection Criteria

This college-level course for advanced learners provides instruction in academic writing through interdisciplinary readings. Assignments emphasize interpretation, argumentation and reflection as well as revision of formal assignments and instruction on grammar, mechanics and style. To be successful in this course, students need to be independent, self-motivated and ready to take on the challenge of participating in seminar-style discussions as well as read and write at a college level. Students who enroll in the UCONN Early College Experience (ECE) program and successfully complete this course are eligible to earn four (4) UCONN college credits for the Seminar in Academic Writing course. This course meets graduation requirements for Grade 12 English.

Prerequisite: Meet two out of the three criteria for Honors Course Selection.

(NCAA Approved Course) See section XV for Honors/ Advanced Level Selection Criteria

This college-level course for advanced learners provides instruction in academic writing through literary reading. Assignments emphasize interpretation, argumentation and reflection as well as revision of formal assignments and instruction on grammar, mechanics and style. To be successful in this course, students need to be independent, self-motivated and ready to participate in seminar-style discussions as well as read and write at a college level. Students who enroll in the UCONN Early College Experience (ECE) program and successfully complete this course are eligible to earn four (4) UCONN college credits for Seminar in Writing through Literature course (ENGL1011). This course meets graduation requirements for Grade 12 English.