Grade 9

Prerequisite

1.0 Credit

None

Required

Two Semesters

This course has a three pronged focus:  composition with an introduction to research, vocabulary development, and literature with a stress on reading comprehension skills.  Students will develop skills in paragraph and multi-paragraph writing.  Various modes of essay writing will be introduced, including persuasive, narrative, expository and descriptive as well as writing research assignments. Students will investigate various literatures genres, including the novel, drama and poetry.  Literary analysis will be introduced through essay writing and class discussions.  Students will develop strong vocabulary through a school selected vocabulary program

English 1 Pre-AP

Grades 9

Prerequisite

1.0 Credit

Must meet pre-set Testing and

Grade Criteria

Restricted Enrollment

Two Semesters

In addition to the three focus areas described for English 1, students will be introduced to terminology and format of the AP exam and will do preparation exercises designed to develop AP skills

English 2

Grades 10

Prerequisite

1 Credit

English 1

Required

Two Semesters

English 2 builds on the foundations of English 1 in the areas of grammar, composition, vocabulary building and research.  Continued emphasis is placed on literature and related reading comprehension skills in the areas of the short story, essay, poetry, drama, legend, and the novel.

Grades: 10

Prerequisite:

1 Credit

English 1 Pre-AP with a

grade of 85+ or an

average of 93+ in English 1

Restricted Enrollment

Two Semesters

The objective of this course is to develop mature habits of critical thinking as an independent reader and writer.  Pre-AP English is both demanding and intellectually stimulating.  Outside work is to be expected and encouraged, while at the same time students will meet the state mandated skills for the second year of high school English. Pre-AP terminology and format of the AP exam will be introduced and preparation exercises will be used to develop AP skills.

English 3

Grade: 11

Prerequisite:

American Literature & Composition

1 Credit

English 2

Required

Two Semesters

This course emphasizes the major authors and texts that represent and clearly illustrate what is unique and central to the American literary tradition.  Consideration of the theological, philosophical, historical, and cultural context of the readings will add substantially to each student’s understanding of the works and provide additional insight into what it means to be an American.  The texts represent a variety of literary genres, including poetry, drama, the novel, the short story, and various types of non-fiction prose.  In addition, students will write two major papers each semester:  the first an expository analysis, the second, a research paper.  By the end of the course each student should be able to evaluate a text, analyze literature and explore related thematic topics, demonstrate logic and organization in writing and speaking, and write clearly and coherently.

English 3 AP

Grade: 11

Prerequisite:

Advanced Placement English

Language and Composition

1 Credit

Pre-AP English 1 and 2 with a

grade of 85+ or English 2 with a

grade of 93+

Restricted Enrollment

Two Semesters

The purpose of this course is to allow juniors to complete a college-level course.  The objectives of this course will closely parallel those of freshman English in universities.  Students will practice reading with depth of insight and writing effectively with expository, analytical and argumentative assignments.  This writing will evidence thought, purpose and sound structures in texts, paragraphs, sentences punctuation, and mechanics.  Students of rhetoric will analyze the choices of writers, speakers, readers, and listeners make so that language has meaning, purpose and utility.  The course requires non-fiction reading such as essays, journalism, political writing, science writing, nature writing, autobiographies/biographies, diaries, history and criticism as well as American novels

English 4

Grade: 12

Prerequisite:

British Literature and Composition

1 Credit

English 3

Required

Two Semesters

English 4 examines the major authors and texts of the Western literary tradition by focusing on works from the 13th century through contemporary times.  A special emphasis is given to the texts of the British literary tradition. Students will learn to analyze literature and identify well-known authors by style, content and historical context.  Consideration of the theological, philosophical, historical, and cultural context of the readings will add substantially to each student’s understanding of the work. The texts represent a variety of literary genres, including poetry, drama, the novel, the short story, and various types of non-fiction prose.  In addition, students will write two major papers each semester:  the first an expository analysis, the second, a research paper.  By the end of the course each student should be able to evaluate a text, analyze literature and explore related thematic topics, demonstrate logic and organization in writing and speaking, and write clearly and coherently.

English 4 AP

Grade: 12

Prerequisite:

Advanced Placement English

Literature and Composition

1 Credit

English 3 AP with a

grade of 85+ or

English 3 with a grade of 93+

Restricted Enrollment

Two Semesters

This course is designed to provide the able and motivated senior an opportunity to complete a college-level class in high school.  Students will be expected to demonstrate goals of understanding and appreciation of literary works by major authors with a humanities emphasis.  The curriculum will include literature from both British and American writers, as well as works written in several genres from the sixteenth century to contemporary time.  The works selected for the course will require careful, insightful reading that possesses multiple meanings.

Independent Study

in Literature

Grade 9-12

Prerequisite

.5 Credit

None

Elective

One Semester

This course offers students an opportunity to explore a variety of genres in literature on an individual basis.  Appreciation of writing is expressed through open discussions one-on-one with the Instructor.  Students showcase their creativity through a variety of projects designed to enhance the texts chosen for them to read.

Communications

Application (Speech)

Grade 9-12

Prerequisite

.5 Credit

None

Required

One Semester

Speech is a comprehensive communication program covering all aspects of the speech curriculum including real-life situations that demand effective communication; skills for communicating in daily life; and strategies for public speaking, group discussion, debate, parliamentary procedure, and the performing arts.

Grade 9-12

Prerequisite

1.0 Credit

None

Elective

Two Semesters

Students in Debate class will develop argumentation skills, develop and deepen critical thinking skills and sharpen communication skills.  They will acquire life-long skills for intelligently approaching controversial issues and clashes of opinion that arise in personal, social, public and professional life in modern society.

Grade 9-12

Prerequisite

1.0 Credit

None

Elective

Two Semesters

This course is a survey class in which students will experience all aspects of journalism.  Skills necessary to the production of newspaper, magazine design, yearbook design, and broadcasting are only a few of the areas covered in this class.  The variety of opportunities allows students to put journalistic skills to the test and improve those already learned.  This interactive class will also allow students to enhance writing and technology skills necessary for success in today’s journalistic productions.

Grade 9-12

Prerequisite

1.0 Credit

Introduction to Journalism and

instructor approval

Elective

Two Semesters

Yearbook is a yearlong course where students accept leadership opportunities and develop skills required in today’s competitive job market. This course is designed to give students an overview of the journalistic skills required to produce a yearbook.  Skills in areas such as advertising, sales, photography, computer use, and editing are developed.  The product of this class is The Chi Rhoan.

Grade 9-12

Prerequisite

1.0 Credit

Introduction to Journalism and

instructor approval

Elective

Two Semesters

  This course is designed to teach the student journalistic writing techniques through the school newspaper, Cougar Chronicles.  Through class work and assignments the student will learn how to gather news, take photographs, write features, conduct interviews, report speeches, cover sports, and do newspaper layout and design using a computer-based design program.

Literary Genres 1

Classical Literature

Grade 11, 12

Prerequisite

.5 Credit

Successful Completion of

English 1 & 2

Elective

One Semester

In this course students will explore the ideas, hopes, and fears of ancient Greece and Rome as preserved in their literary tradition.  Through selections from the Greek and Roman mythology, students shall contemplate and discuss primarily the following three questions:  how do Greek and Roman storytellers understand the human person, the physical world, and the divine; how do their ideas challenge our own suppositions; and what, if anything, can we learn from these ancient writers. Since this class is an elective, it will be conducted as such:  any reading that is assigned to be completed outside of class will be brief.  Aside from introductory lectures, most of the course will consist of guided discussions about the texts.  Apart from the completion of English 1 and 2, the only other prerequisite for this course is a willingness to prepare for and participate in class discussions.

Literary Genres 1

Comtemporary Literature

Grade 11, 12

Prerequisite

.5 Credit

Literary Genres

Elective

One Semester

In this course students will explore the ideas, hopes, and fears of contemporary man as preserved in his stories.  Through selection from contemporary authors from America, Europe and Russia, students shall contemplate and discuss primarily the four following questions:  how do contemporary storytellers understand the human person, the physical world, and any meaning that may be achieved beyond the physical world; how do these narratives compare to those of ancient Greek and Roman writers; how do their ideas challenge our own suppositions; and what truth can be taken from these writers, even those who seem to be object to the truths that the students acknowledge.

Humanities 1

Introduction to Philosophy

Grade 11, 12

Prerequisite

.5 Credit

None

Elective

One Semester

The study of philosophy concerns the search for and love of wisdom; it seeks answers to the basic questions of human existence, which many take for granted.  Students shall contemplate and discuss these questions by considering how others have approached them through literature, theater, prose, poetry, aphorisms, film, painting, sculpture and other art forms since the beginning of recorded history.  Since this class is an elective, it will be conducted as such:  any reading that is assigned to be completed outside of class will be brief.  Aside from introductory lectures, most of the course will consist of guided discussions about the texts. The only prerequisite for this course is a willingness to prepare for and participate in class discussions.

Humanities 1

Introduction to Psychology

Grade 11, 12

Prerequisite

.5 Credit

None

Elective

One Semester

Throughout history humans have tried to understand why people behave the way that they do.  In this class students shall conduct their own study of the human psyche, or soul, by exploring how people have sought to engage these questions through literature, theater, prose, poetry aphorisms and film.  The Catholic tradition will shape the approach to these ideas, many of which may oftentimes be critical of the church.   Since this class is an elective, it will be conducted as such:  any reading that is assigned to be completed outside of class will be brief.  Aside from introductory lectures, most of the course will consist of guided discussions about the texts. The only prerequisite for this course is a willingness to prepare for and participate in class discussions.