British Literature I
British Literature is a semester-long elective English course designed to provide students with an overview of the British literary tradition from the Anglo-Saxon period to the beginning of the Modern era, roughly AD 800-1800.
Students will become familiar with the linguistic, cultural, and political history of Great Britain through the focused study of literary trends and major authors of each era. In addition, this course is designed to enhance and supplement the research skills and independent critical and analytical literacy skills that students work to develop throughout their English studies at SGHS.
In order to receive a passing grade, students will be expected to:
-Complete given assignments at a minimum proficiency level
-Engage in all class activities
Grades for the course are based on the following criteria:
First quarter (40% of semester grade)
Writing, Presentations, and Tests 25%
Homework 25%
Classwork 25%
Notebook 25%
Second quarter (40% of semester grade)
Writing, Presentations, and Tests 20%
Homework 20%
Classwork 20%
Notebook 15%
Research project 25%
Semester exam (20% of semester grade)
Communication Arts
Communication Arts III is a year-long required English course, completed in either the junior or senior year, which is divided into two semesters and is designed to provide students with the continued support in the development of the literacy skills necessary to complete the English requirements at SGHS.
Throughout the course, students will continue to improve their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills through a variety of projects which study multiple genres: poetry, short stories, narratives, speeches, critical essays, and novels. Directed vocabulary and grammar enrichment will support students' overall literacy development. During the first semester, students will receive explicit instruction in preparation for the independent research project that is a graduation requirement.
In order to receive a passing grade, students will be expected to:
-Complete given assignments at a minimum proficiency level
-Engage in all class activities
Grades for the course will be based on the following criteria:
First Quarter (45% of semester grade)
Writing, Presentations, and Tests 30%
Quizzes 20%
Homework 20%
Classwork 20%
Notebook 10%
Second Quarter (50% of semester grade)
Writing, Presentations, and Tests 25%
Quizzes 15%
Homework 15%
Classwork 15%
Notebook 5%
Research Project 25%
Semester Exam (5% of semester grade)
Composition
Composition is the second part of a year-long required English course, usually completed in the sophomore year, designed to provide students with a continuation of the overview of the American literary tradition and to solidify their foundations in the literacy and writing skills necessary to complete the English requirements at SGHS.
Students will develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills through a variety of projects and class activities. Directed vocabulary and grammar enrichment will support students' overall literacy development, and students will receive explicit instruction in preparation for the independent research project that is a graduation requirement.
In order to receive a passing grade, students will be expected to:
-Complete given assignments at a minimum proficiency level
-Engage in all class activities
Grades for the course will be based on the following criteria:
First quarter (45% of semester grade)
Writing, Presentations, and Tests 25%
Homework 25%
Classwork 25%
Notebook 25%
Second quarter (45% of semester grade)
Writing, Presentations, and Tests 20%
Homework 20%
Classwork 20%
Notebook 15%
Research project 25%
Semester exam (10% of semester grade)
Drama
Drama is a semester-long elective English course designed to provide students with an understanding of drama as a literary genre, an introduction to dramatic performance, and a basic overview of theater craft.
Through formal and informal discussions, presentations, and performances, students will not only cultivate their speaking and listening abilities, but they will enhance their voice and body awareness, and their critical, analytical, and evaluative thinking skills. Focused work on spoken presentations will be supported by a variety of reading and writing activities.
In order to receive a passing grade, students will be expected to:
-Complete all assignments at a minimum proficiency level
-Engage in all class activities
Grades for the course will be based on the following criteria:
First Quarter (45% of semester grade)
Formal Writing, Presentations, and Tests 40%
Classwork 35%
Homework 25%
Second Quarter (45% of semester grade)
Formal Writing, Presentations, and Tests 32%
Classwork 27%
Homework 16%
Research Project 25%
Semester Exam (10% of semester grade)
Language and Literature
Language and Literature is the first part of a year-long required English course, usually completed in the sophomore year, designed to provide students with an overview of the American literary tradition and to solidify their foundations in the literacy skills necessary to complete the English requirements at SGHS.
Students will develop their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills through a variety of projects which study multiple genres drawn from the American tradition including: poetry, short stories, personal narratives, political speeches, and critical essays. Directed vocabulary and grammar enrichment will support students' overall literacy development.
In order to receive a passing grade, students will be expected to:
-Complete all assignments at a minimum proficiency level
-Engage in all class activities
Grades for the course will be based on the following criteria:
First Quarter (40% of semester grade)
Formal Writing, Presentations, and Tests 25%
Homework 25%
Classwork 25%
Notebook 25%
Second Quarter (45% of semester grade)
Formal Writing, Presentations, and Tests 25%
Homework 25%
Classwork 25%
Notebook 25%
Semester Exam (15% of semester grade)
Mythology
Mythology is a semester-long elective English course designed to provide students with an understanding of myth as a way of thinking and an opportunity to investigate the relationship between myth and culture, society, and literature.
Students will become familiar with selections from the myth traditions of Greece, Scandinavia, India, China, Africa, and Native America. In addition to developing students' familiarity with particular stories, this course is designed to enhance and supplement the research skills and independent critical and analytical literacy skills that students work to develop throughout their English studies at SGHS.
In order to receive a passing grade, students will be expected to:
-Complete all assignments at a minimum proficiency level
-Engage in all class activities
Grades for the course will be based on the following criteria:
First Quarter (40% of semester grade)
Formal Writing, Presentations, Tests 25%
Homework 25%
Classwork 25%
eJournal 25%
Second Quarter (40% of semester grade)
Formal Writing, Presentations, Tests 20%
Homework 20%
Classwork 20%
eJournal 15%
Research Project 25%
Semester Exam (20% of semester grade)
Speech and Debate
Speech and Debate is a semester-long elective English course designed to provide students with an introduction to the art of rhetoric and a variety of opportunities to develop their public speaking skills.
Through formal informative and persuasive speeches, value and policy debates, and informal class presentations and discussions, students will not only cultivate their speaking and listening abilities, but they will enhance their critical, analytical, and evaluative thinking skills as well. Focused work on spoken presentations will be supported by a variety of reading and writing activities as well as vocabulary enrichment.
In order to receive a passing grade, students will be expected to:
-Complete all assignments at a minimum proficiency level
-Engage in all class activities
Grades for the course will be based on the following criteria:
First Quarter (45% of semester grade)
Formal Writing, Presentations, and Tests 40%
Classwork 35%
Homework 25%
Second Quarter (45% of semester grade)
Formal Writing, Presentations, and Tests 32%
Classwork 27%
Homework 16%
Research Project 25%
Semester Exam (10% of semester grade)
Themes
Themes is a semester-long elective English course designed to provide students with in-depth opportunities for critical reading and analytical and reflective writing.
Each quarter, students will engage a variety of materials that are centered on a particular theme. Class discussion and focused writing exercises will cultivate not only the critical, analytical, and evaluative literacy skills that students develop during their English studies at SGCHS, but their imaginative and sympathetic reading and writing sensibilities as well.
In order to receive a passing grade, students will be expected to:
-Complete all assignments at a minimum proficiency level
-Engage in all class activities
Grades for the course will be based on the following criteria:
First Quarter (40% of semester grade)
Formal Writing, Presentations, Tests 25%
Homework 25%
Classwork 25%
Service Project 25%
Second Quarter (40% of semester grade)
Formal Writing, Presentations, Tests 18.75%
Homework 18.75%
Classwork 18.75%
Service Project 18.75%
Research Project 25%
Semester Exam (20% of semester grade)
World Literature II
World Literature II is a semester-long elective English course designed to provide students with in-depth opportunities for critical reading and analytical and reflective writing. Students will also gain an overview of historical, cultural and literary events from non-Western traditions.
Students will engage a variety of materials from the following regions: Africa, the Middle East, India, Asia, and Australia. Class discussion and focused writing exercises will cultivate not only the critical, analytical and evaluative literacy skills that students develop during their English studies at SGHS, but their imaginative and sympathetic reading and writing sensibilities as well.
In order to receive a passing grade, students will be expected to:
-Complete all assignments at a minimum proficiency level
-Engage in all class activities
Grades for the course will be based on the following criteria:
First Quarter (40% of semester grade)
Formal Writing, Presentations, Tests 25%
Homework 25%
Classwork 25%
eJournal 25%
Second Quarter (40% of semester grade)
Formal Writing, Presentations, Tests 20%
Homework 20%
Classwork 20%
eJournal 15%
Research Project 25%
Semester Exam (20% of semester grade)
