American Studies combines AP US History and English III AP Language to create a daily two hour cultural experience enabling students to simultaneously explore the connections between literature and history. Students will explore the history of the United States with special emphasis placed on the study of rhetorical styles and structures of important historical documents and readings. This course focuses on the cultural accomplishments as manifested in art, architecture, literature, music, and other visual media. Students will learn and practice the craft of writing through various products, specifically focused on the essay formats necessary for success on both the AP US History and AP English Language exams. US Literature of all genres will be incorporated into the curriculum within the structure of the historical study, and used as a method of enhancing the depiction of historical time periods. At the culmination of the class, students can take both the AP US History and the AP English Language and Composition exams to possibly earn college credit.

Prerequisite: G/T Identification or AP World History recommended

What's next? The Human Experience: Culture, Media and Perception, English IV - AP Literature and Composition

This course is on the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and the New Testament which teaches knowledge of Biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that impact understanding of contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, and public policy. The course follows federal and state laws and guidelines in maintaining religious neutrality and accommodating the diverse religious views and perspectives of students.

Prerequisite: None

This course is a rigorous composition course where students can hone their writing skills in a variety of forms and genres in a writing workshop
environment. The course emphasizes the use of the writing process and the effective application of the conventions of language along with self- and peer-evaluation and goal-setting. Students will create and publish a class or campus anthology of works.

Prerequisite: None

In this course, students engage in a variety of reading and writing experiences as they analyze the ways in which the traditional and contemporary texts from 20th and 21st century America represent a view or make a comment on the human condition and spirit. Key reading selections come from various genres including plays, novels, poems, and speeches. Students will write multi-page essays (expository and persuasive) and original stories and poems in a writing workshop environment. Research study includes instruction in creating a research plan, synthesizing information, and organizing ideas.

Prerequisite: English (2 credits)

What's Next? English IV or English IV H

This course is designed for students who wish to have a more challenging and rigorous English III experience. In addition to the emphasis areas listed above, English III Honors students will be afforded opportunities to engage in lengthier and more challenging reading and writing experience with more sophisticated levels of instruction and more advanced skill work.

Prerequisite: English (2 credits)

What's Next? English IV or English IV H or English IV AP

This course is designed for students who wish to have a more challenging and rigorous English III experience. This course instructs students in the reading of complex text and the writing of rich and complex prose. This course will emphasize the writing process by having students write essays that proceed through several stages or drafts. Students will become acquainted with a wide variety of prose styles from many disciplines and historical periods, and will gain understanding of the connections between writing and interpretive skill in reading. The use of research materials and the ability to synthesize a variety of sources are integral parts of this course. This course prepares students to take the AP Language and Composition exam to possibly earn college credit.

Prerequisite: English (2 credits)

What's Next? English IV or English IV Honors or English IV AP

In this course, students will read and write on a daily basis. Text studies focus on the comparing and contrasting of universal themes in contemporary and traditional works from a variety of cultures and countries, including traditional British works. Students will analyze the effects of literary devices in literary non-fiction, expository, and persuasive texts, and will conduct an advanced study of media literacy, including the development of a visual media. The course emphasizes self-selected texts and collaborative discussions focused on studentdirected comprehension, interpretation, and analysis work. Students will develop multi-draft and multi-page essays, including an argument essay, interpretive response, and philosophy essay.

Prerequisite: English (3 credits)

This course is designed for students who wish to have a more challenging and rigorous English IV experience. In addition to the emphasis areas listed above, English IV Honors students will be afforded opportunities to engage in lengthier and more challenging reading and writing experience with more sophisticated levels of instruction and more advanced skill work.

Prerequisite: English (3 credits)

This course is designed to engage students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Students will deepen their understandings of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students will consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as such smallerscale elements as they use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. The course should include intensive study of representative works from various genres and periods. Writing experiences in this course may involve writing response and reaction papers along with annotation, free writing, and keeping some form of a reading journal. Writing assignments will focus on the critical analysis of literature and will include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays. This course prepares students to take the AP Literature and Composition exam to possibly earn college credit.

Prerequisite: English (3 credits)

This course is a combination philosophy and humanities class that provides students opportunities to discuss, perform, listen, view, and create. Topics for study may include mythology, enlightenment, human nature, contemporary media, the human condition, morality, ethics, aesthetics, beauty, censorship, history, architecture, and music.

Prerequisite: None