English Department
Students are required to take one English course each of their four years at Burr and Burton (9-12).
The goals of the English Department are as follows
• Students will discover the power of voice in speech and writing by developing control over style and content.
• Students will find personal meaning and enjoyment through reading across a variety of genres, time periods, and cultures.
• Students will become discerning and independent thinkers.
COLLEGE PREPARATORY ENGLISH 9
1 credit Level 2
In alignment with English Department objectives, this course revolves around six core units that expose students to a variety of genres, time periods, and ethnic perspectives. Students explore the theme of innocence to experience in the following literature: poetry, short stories (including an excerpt from Dickens’s Pickwick Papers), essays, novels (Annie John, Fahrenheit 451 and To Kill A Mockingbird), nonfiction (individually selected by students), plus one play, Romeo and Juliet. Throughout these six units, students learn how to take active reading notes and to develop their writing skills in a variety of genres: personal essay, narrative, research, literature analysis, and persuasive essays. Emphasis is placed on outlining, organizing and developing theme papers. Grammatical study focuses on basic parts of speech, independent and dependent clauses, comma usage, common usage problems, and punctuation around quotations. While students gain many skills in context, they are also given a predetermined list of vocabulary words and literary terminology (foreshadowing, motif, etc.) Oral presentations include participation in Harkness discussions, recitation of a memorized poem, and performance of a scene from Romeo and Juliet. One of the research papers is a consideration of Depression-era photography in conjunction with our study of To Kill A Mockingbird.
ENGLISH 9
1 credit Level 3
This course is modeled on the above course but includes greater opportunities for review and practice.
COLLEGE PREPARATORY ENGLISH 10
1 credit Level 2
In keeping with the department’s goals, this course includes (1) instruction and review of these grammatical concepts: parts of speech, parts of a sentence, pronoun usage, subject-verb agreement, and punctuation; (2) instruction and practice in composition including the following: topic sentences, paragraph unity and development, writing to a purpose – analytical, satirical, personal, descriptive, and informative – establishing voice, and avoiding common mistakes such as run-on sentences, fragments, verb tense, parallelism, wordiness, redundancy, and sentence variety; (3) reading and study in these works and genres of literature: Macbeth, The Odyssey, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and units in poetry, the short story, and non-fiction; (4) mastery of 150 college-preparatory vocabulary words; (5) instruction and practice of research, discussion, and presentation skills gained by writing a term paper on a major work/s of literature, participating in a formal debate and Harkness discussions, reciting a poem from memory; (6) the development of analytical and independent thought by comparing and contrasting two major works of literature, The Odyssey with Oh Brother, Where Art Thou, and different moral philosophies gleaned from the reading; and (7) intellectual enjoyment and enrichment gained by doing independent reading, culminating in a major researched paper.
ENGLISH 10
1 credit Level 3
This course is modeled on the above course but includes greater opportunities for review and practice. Students may opt to take Man and Nature in America as an alternative to English 10.
MAN AND NATURE IN AMERICA (Offered in Fall 2009)
1 credit Level 3
Sophomores, Juniors (and Seniors if space is available)
In his book Wilderness and the American Mind, Roderick Nash writes, “Wilderness was the basic ingredient of American culture.” Using that premise as a starting point, this class aims to chronicle the ever-changing perception of nature in America, with an ultimate goal of arriving at a better understanding of what is and perhaps, what should be man’s relationship to nature. In this course students develop an understanding of and appreciation for the complexities of man’s relationship with nature through a study of literature ranging from the 17th to the 21st century. Students read lots of adventure-based writing—both fiction and nonfiction—in the forms of short stories, novels, essays and letters. They write personal, persuasive, analytical and research essays; they give presentations; and they spend a fair amount of time outside in the woods surrounding campus. This course meets the requirements of English 10 or English 11. Depending on class enrollment, this class may be open to seniors as an English elective.
COLLEGE PREPARATORY ENGLISH 11
1 credit Level 2
Through the study of American literature, this course refines students’ writing and advances their analytical skills in an attempt to make them discerning readers, mature writers and effective speakers. In order to achieve this level of reading, writing and speech students receive instruction in writing both literary analysis papers and personal experience papers, read from a variety of genres, and are given ample opportunity to practice their speaking. The writing instruction not only reviews grammatical concepts but also instructs students on how to employ rhetorical devices successively. Students study the use of parallelism, sentence variety, the use of analogy, and active voice in order to establish effective style in their pieces of writing. The mastery of 200 vocabulary words strengthens student writing and allows them to better understand and interpret college-level reading. In an effort to promote intellectual growth, the following 20th century novels: The Great Gatsby, The Catcher In The Rye, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and The Color Purple explore the groundbreaking style of modern and contemporary writers. Additionally, the reading of 19th century authors such as Hawthorne, Emerson, Thoreau, and Dickinson informs students of the influences that earlier writers and literary movements had on current writers. A written piece in response to a painting from the Hudson River School adds depth to student understanding of Romanticism and Transcendentalism. Reading is supplemented with essays, poetry, and short stories by a variety of American writers who have contributed to the diversity of voices that make American literature the rich and exciting study that it is today. In order to fortify their speaking skills, students are required to not only make oral presentations but to also take part in formal Harkness discussions, informal teacher-led discussions, and give oral presentations. Unlike the novels, our study of drama is not limited to American authors only. In addition to Death of A Salesman by Arthur Miller, students study the unique role comedy has in creating meaning through reading William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream. In many ways the changes that American literature has undergone since the 19th century mirrors not only how American culture has changed as a whole but also how the individual has struggled to understand his or her significance in society. Ideally this course gives students pause to reflect on their place in society while also encouraging students to listen thoughtfully, thus deriving meaning from the stories of others.
ENGLISH 11
1 credit Level 3
This course is a sequence to English 10; basic skills are reviewed at a more challenging level. Specific emphasis is placed on vocabulary, grammar, mechanics, and purposeful style in writing the narrative and expository essay. Drill in spelling important commonly used words is provided. Students give speeches to inform, persuade, entertain, and engage the class in discussion. Short stories, films, plays, and some other examples of important world and American poetry are read and discussed with the objective of providing cultural exposure and enrichment. Students read selected books and report on them in response to tailored questions. The major literature texts for the course are The Elements of Literature (Holt, Rinehart, Winston), Contemporary Short Stories (McDougal, Littell), The Art of Life: An Anthology of Literature, and Models for Writers (Rosa and Escholz). Writer’s File is the program used for mechanics and grammar. Additional texts include The Scarlet Letter (abridged), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Catcher in the Rye, Death of a Salesman, Ethan Frome and selections from Thoreau and Emerson. Films studied include "Of Mice and Men" and "The Great Gatsby."
Students may opt to take Man and Nature in America as an alternative to English 11.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE
AND COMPOSITION
1 credit Level 1
Juniors (see criteria below) and qualified Seniors if space is available
The AP course in English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Although the course is organized around such themes as Language and Politics, Youth and Age, Crime and Punishment, and Science and Technology, reading and writing assignments are not selected on the basis of content alone. Both their writing and their reading make students aware, rather, of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience, expectations, and subjects as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing.
The AP course is designed as a college-level composition course. Students write both informally and formally in a variety of forms—narrative, exploratory, expository, and argumentative—and on a variety of theme related subjects. Like most first-year college composition courses, the overarching purpose of this class is to develop the confidence and proficiency to be able to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers. The AP English Language and Composition course seeks to move students beyond such programmatic responses as the five-paragraph essay. Students are encouraged to place emphasis on content and purpose, and allow this focus to guide their organization and effort.
Students read a variety of prose styles (including fiction and poetry, biography, philosophy, and history) from many disciplines, genres, and contexts to gain understanding of the connections between interpretive skills in reading and writing. When students read they are encouraged to focus on the stylistic effects and rhetorical strategies achieved by writers’ linguistic choices. These assignments serve not just as models to follow in the development of style, but more often as beginning points introducing an important idea that students pursue beyond the boundaries of the original text.
It is assumed that students selected for AP 11 already possess a strong understanding of standard English grammar. The intense focus on language use in the course enhances their ability to use grammatical conventions with sophistication as well as to develop stylistic maturity in their prose. The course nurtures the development of a wide-ranging vocabulary; command of a variety of sentence structures; logical organization, enhanced by specific
techniques such as repetition, transition, and emphasis; a balance of generalization and use of specific detail; and an effective use of rhetorical tone, voice, diction, and syntax.
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSION TO ADVANCED PLACEMENT ENGLISH
Admission to the Advanced Placement English sequence requires the recommendation of the sophomore English teacher and/or the department chair. Recommendation is based on (but not limited to) the following:
• A demonstrated interested in independent reading and superior writing skills.
• A B+average in College Preparatory English 10 or College Preparatory English 11.
• Completion of the following:
1. Careful independent reading of assigned texts to be completed over the summer.
2. An AP level essay responding to the above also to be completed over the summer.
3. Payment of the AP test fee ($88) and completion of the AP exam in May.
SENIOR ENGLISH COURSES
The following courses are open to Seniors and recommended Juniors if space is available. They fulfill the Senior English requirement for graduation (any Junior who enrolls in one of these courses must also take a Senior English course the following year).
SEARCH FOR IDENTITY
1 credit Level 2
Socrates said, “Know thyself.” Easier said than done. How does the self relate to the community? To history? To former selves? To future selves? Is there even such a thing as the self? What does our knowledge of the human genetic code contribute to this question? Using the tools of literature, philosophy, religion, and science, this course seeks to hone analytical and writing skills in preparation for a challenging college curriculum. Texts include contemporary works such as A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, The Stranger by Camus, Franny and Zooey and Nine Stories by Salinger, Siddhartha by Hesse, classic texts including Hamlet and the Bible, as well as articles from science, philosophy, and social science journals. Papers run from responses to literature to a 7-10 page personal philosophy paper.
A LOST GENERATION
This course is offered every other year (2010-2011)
1 credit Level 2
From Hemingway to Kerouac, the 20th century spawned a generation of writers that searched for meaning in an apparently meaningless world. Consider the century: Millions decimated in World War I; an American society where God is business; an American society where loneliness and isolation cannot ever be overcome entirely. College preparatory writing and reading can be expected. Projects and presentations are also features of this course. Works studied include A Farewell to Arms; Babbitt, Winesburg, Ohio As I Lay Dying; My Antonia; The Last Picture Show; On the Road. Also, a variety of 20th century poems from notable poets like Allen Ginsberg and T.S. Eliot are studied. Several movies like All Quiet on the Western Front and The Last Picture Show supplement our reading.
TELLING STORIES: MYTH, MEMOIR, AND FAIRY TALE
1 credit Level 2
Why do people tell stories? Why do communities tell myths and legends? Why are fairy tales an important part of childhood development? What are the connections between story and identity? Is there such a thing as a “collective unconscious”? This course explores the vital role that storytelling plays in our lives. Students read creation and hero myths from around the world, as well as classic fairy tales and a wide variety of both short and full-length memoirs. Nonfiction excerpts supplement our reading of the three genres—including Bruno Bettleheim’s
The Uses of Enchantment, Joseph Campbell’s The Power of Myth and The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Elizabeth Stone’s Black Sheep: How Our Family Stories Shape Us, as well as some theory by Carl Jung. Students write weekly papers (including personal narratives, analytic and/or researched response), keep a daily response journal, and perform and present stories to the class via creative projects. This course is designed to offer students a pre-collegiate experience.
SPEECH AND COMPOSITION
1 credit Level 2
This course includes (1) instruction and review of essential grammatical concepts necessary for correct writing: punctuation, agreement, and usage; (2) instruction and practice in the process of composition including the following: coming up with a topic, defining purpose, developing voice, and outlining, and revising; (3) instruction and practice in a variety of writing tasks including personal narration, description, persuasion, and exposition; (4) reading a range of essays capturing many different voices and styles; (5) instruction and practice with speaking skills, particularly poise, effective body control, command of voice, and use of eye-contact; (6) development of personal identity and confidence through exploration and creation of writing topics and public speaking experiences; (7) a sense of friendship and community fostered through speaking activities, storytelling, peer conferencing, and the facing and conquering of a common fear.
CHASING THE SUNSET: LITERATURE OF THE AMERICAN WEST
This course is offered every other year (Offered in 2009-2010)
1 credit Level 2
Do you have the travel bug, what the Germans call wanderlust? Satiate your yen for adventure by exploring the landscape and the cultures of the American West through the study of fiction and non-fiction. The backdrop of the American West provides an opportunity to examine how different cultures, despite historical conflict, have learned to live with each other. Thus our study is divided geographically into three units: The Mountains, The Plains, and The Desert. It is a study of not only the conflict but also of ongoing reconciliation among people amidst a landscape that dominates the imagination, but often falls short of fulfilling dreams. Somewhere in the middle of chasing dreams and not quite reaching them, there occurs an understanding between very different cultures. Reading about a specific geographical place challenges students to reflect upon their own geography and its influence upon shaping identity. Writing assignments are both reflective, focusing on a student’s own personal landscape, and analytical literary responses. Students are also assigned a research project that addresses contemporary land use issues. Books: Shane, Mountain Man, Refuge, Love Medicine, The Last Picture Show, Death Comes to The Archbishop, and Desert Solitaire.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION
1 credit Level 1 Seniors only
This course is designed to allow students to receive college credit, (from 3-6), by passing the nationally administered Advanced Placement Exam at the end of their senior year. The course is a literature course, (novels, plays, short stories, poetry), that focuses on literary analysis and interpretation. The course is taught seminar style; class participation is essential to the success of each student. Moreover, writing, both long and short essays, is a frequent component of this class. Student-teacher conferences are also frequently required. It should be noted that students who choose to enroll in AP Literature and Composition are required to write three papers in the summer before school begins. The instructor conferences with each student in the fall and at that time is able to advise each student about his or her choice to be in the class. The readings in this class come from many periods in both American and English literature. Titles include: Love Medicine, Ceremony, Heart of Darkness, Things Fall Apart, Oedipus, Hamlet, Portrait of the Artist, The Dead, Crime and Punishment, a large variety of poetry, and often one of John Irving’s novels.
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of AP English 11 or B+ or better in CP English 11. A summer reading program and writing assignments in preparation for AP 12 are required. AP English students are required to take the AP English exam in May of their senior year. The AP fee of $88 is the responsibility of the student.
ENGLISH ELECTIVES
CREATIVE WRITING
1 credit Level 2
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
This course is designed for students who already show proficiency in writing and wish to gain a broader understanding of language and how to best express themselves creatively. It is also focused on a complete understanding of and appreciation for the process of revision as a means to clear writing. The format of the course is a workshop, thereby placing primary responsibility on each student to give constructive and accurate criticism to fellow classmates. Students view videos of prominent poets performing and reflecting upon their work. They also read a wide variety of contemporary poetry and prose, which they analyze and discuss from the perspective of a fellow writer. By the end of the course, students are expected to give an oral presentation on a favorite writer, create a portfolio of original poetry and prose, participate in a creative writing celebration, and reflect on themselves as writers. This is an elective course and does not fulfill an English requirement for graduation.
BOOKS TO FILM
1 credit Level 2
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors
While the focus of the course is both reading books and viewing films, there is also a significant writing component involving regular writing assignments and a major project. We study both the art of cinematography and literary technique. The units of study are as follows: Stories of Redemption (The Shawshank Redemption and Garden State); Science Fiction (Blade Runner); Fairy Tales and Myth (Beauty and the Beast and The Fisher King); Neighbors and Strangers (Strangers on a Train and Rear Window); Lyrical Interlude (Song in Film and Video); Nature, Nurture, and Gender (About a Boy and Mean Girls); The Sultry South (A Streetcar Named Desire); Satire and Comedy (Thank You for Smoking and Monty Python and the Holy Grail); The Loss of Innocence: American and European Culture (Stand by Me, The Deer Hunter, and The Barbarian Invasions).The course also features several creative projects, allowing opportunities for creative writing and film making. This is an elective course and does not fulfill an English requirement for graduation.
SPACE AND TIME
1 credit Level 2
Juniors, Seniors
This interdisciplinary course focuses on the topic of space exploration using primary documents, novels, video and guest speakers. Beginning with an overview of the understanding of astronomy through the ages, the course concentrates on the post- World War II Cold War race to the moon. Texts include Jules Verne’s From The Earth to the Moon, Wolfe’s The Right Stuff, Chaikin’s A Man on the Moon, Berman’s Secrets of the Night Sky, Fr. Coyne’s Wayfarers of the Cosmos, and Sagan’s Pale Blue Dot. Students have a significant reading load and take a written quiz almost daily. Students also write an assortment of papers, ranging from a personal reflection to a researched paper on a topic of their choice. This is an elective course and does not fulfill an English requirement for graduation.
MAN AND NATURE IN AMERICA
See course description following English 10
