English Language Arts and Media Services Department at Morton East

English I

Course Description

This class is an introduction to reading, writing, literature and speaking at the high school level. A variety of reading strategies are used to improve comprehension and examine elements of literature in fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama. The writing process will be reviewed and reinforced. Students will learn fundamental skills such as listening and research. Special emphasis is placed on test preparation and Morton Literacy and Information Literacy Standards.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Core
GRADE: 9
PREREQUISITE: None
COREQUISITES: If you take this course, you must also take ENGLISH I (SPRING)
OFFERED: One year course

English II

Course Description

Students continue to develop reading and writing skills. They will examine how the development of the theme, character, plot, and setting contribute to the overall impact of literature. Special attention is paid to the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards. There will be a focus on general literature, reading, writing, critical thinking, public speaking, grammar, vocabulary development, test prep strategies and research.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Core
GRADE: 10
PREREQUISITE: One year of English I
COREQUISITES: If you take this course, you must also take ENGLISH II (SPRING)
OFFERED: One year course

English III

Course Description

The focus of this course is the exploration of multiple themes and perspectives through close reading of seminal works of American literature, informational texts and current events, and culturally relevant literature from contemporary authors. Students will continue to develop their reading and writing skills as they analyze and evaluate novels, short stories, poetry, and shorter contemporary non-fiction works. Through this study, students will discover ideas to apply in meaningful ways to their own lives and be able to articulate them through written and verbal expression. A special focus is on rhetorical analysis and synthesis of research. In addition, students will prepare for the SAT which is administered this year.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Core
GRADE: 11
PREREQUISITE: One year of English II
COREQUISITES: If you take this course, you must also take ENGLISH III (SPRING)
OFFERED: One year course

English III

Course Description

The focus of this course is the exploration of multiple themes and perspectives through close reading of seminal works of American literature, informational texts and current events, and culturally relevant literature from contemporary authors. Students will continue to develop their reading and writing skills as they analyze and evaluate novels, short stories, poetry, and shorter contemporary non-fiction works. Through this study, students will discover ideas to apply in meaningful ways to their own lives and be able to articulate them through written and verbal expression. A special focus is on rhetorical analysis and synthesis of research. In addition, students will prepare for the SAT which is administered this year.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Core
GRADE: 9
PREREQUISITE: None
COREQUISITES: If you take this course, you must also take ENGLISH I HONORS (SPRING)
OFFERED: One year course

AP Seminar

Course Description

AP Seminar exposes students to a variety of texts covering multiple genres, topics, and rhetorical contexts in a seminar-style setting. This course fosters students’ ability to summarize and explain the salient ideas in a text by analyzing an author’s perspective, rhetorical choices, and argumentative structure. Students evaluate a variety of literary, informational, and visual texts, and synthesize perspectives to develop evidence-based arguments. Students convey their findings through multiple written formats, multimedia presentations, and oral defenses.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Advanced Placement
GRADE: 10
PREREQUISITE: One year of English I (Honors) OR English I (Core)
COREQUISITES: If you take this course, you must also take AP SEMINAR (SPRING)
OFFERED: One year course

AP English Language and Composition

Course Description

The focus of this course is the exploration of multiple themes and perspectives through close reading of seminal works of American literature, informational texts and current events, and culturally relevant literature from contemporary authors. Students will continue to develop their reading and writing skills as they analyze and evaluate novels, short stories, poetry, and shorter contemporary non-fiction works with an emphasis on author’s purpose, the rhetorical situation, argument, and synthesis. Through this study, students will discover ideas to apply in meaningful ways to their own lives and be able to articulate them through written and verbal expression. In addition, students will prepare for the SAT, which is administered this year. The course culminates with the College Board’s Advanced Placement Exam in English Language and Composition.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Advanced Placement
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of AP Seminar OR English II (Core)
COREQUISITES: If you take this course, you must also take AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION (SPRING)
OFFERED: One year course

AP English Literature and Composition

Course Description

This course continues the work begun in AP English Language and Composition on critical reading of world literature and analytical writing. This course includes another major research paper. At the conclusion of the year, students are required to take the College Board’s Advanced Placement Exam in English Literature and Composition. A summer assignment is required. Students should check with the appropriate instructor before the end of the school year.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Advanced Placement
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of AP English Language and Composition OR English III (Core)
COREQUISITES: If you take this course, you must also take AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION (SPRING)
OFFERED: One year course

College Preparatory English

Course Description

In this course, students examine all areas of language arts: reading, writing, speaking, listening, technology, and research. Heavy emphasis is placed on vocabulary development, critical reading, and comprehension strategies, reading rate flexibility, study skills, preparation for college classes, and college writing.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 12
PREREQUISITES: One year of AP English Language and Composition OR English III (Core)
COREQUISITES: If you take this course, you must also take COLLEGE PREPARATORY ENGLISH (SPRING)
OFFERED: One year course

Contemporary Literature

Course Description

In this course, students will be exposed to a wide variety of contemporary works with an overarching goal of enhancing reading for enjoyment. By discussing and analyzing theme-based units, these reading intensive courses aim to promote literacy while aligning evaluative techniques. Through written and oral reflection, students will extrapolate relevant parallels between their roles as American teenagers and those of society at large.

CREDIT: 0.5
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 12
PREREQUISITES: One year of AP English Language and Composition OR English III (Core)
COREQUISITES: None
OFFERED: One semester course

Creative Writing

Course Description

In this course, students write poetry, autobiographical pieces, and short stories after reading examples from each genre and being instructed in various creative-writing techniques. Creative Writing is designed to be an outlet of self-expression for students as they explore how they think and feel about a variety of topics and issues. Students are expected to submit at least one piece of work for publication or competition.

CREDIT: 0.5
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 12
PREREQUISITES: One year of AP English Language and Composition OR English III (Core)
COREQUISITES: None
OFFERED: One semester course

Humanities

Course Description

In this course, students read and write about significant works of world literature. Special emphasis is placed on examining how these works fit into various cultural, historical, and artistic contexts. Students are challenged to make connections between what they read and various works of artistic merit in the fields of music and visual arts. Students end the semester with a research project that incorporates their understanding of the course’s themes and its connection to a significant work of literature.

CREDIT: 0.5
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 12
PREREQUISITES: One year of AP English Language and Composition OR English III (Core)
COREQUISITES: None
OFFERED: One semester course

Journalism

Course Description

Journalism is a senior English class designed to teach students elements of journalistic writing. A major objective of this course is to contribute to publications such as the school newspaper and yearbook. The class is writing intensive, and the main goal is to teach students how to write for different media. Students will also spend time discussing and evaluating the importance of ethical journalistic behavior. Students will also study libel and press laws, photo caption and headline writing, and mechanical production. Additional hours before and after school will be required to meet deadlines for finishing the literary publications.

NOTE: Sophomores may take this course as an elective in addition to the English II class: instructor approval is required. Juniors may take this course as an elective in addition to the English III or AP English Language class: instructor approval is required.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITES: One year of AP English Language and Composition OR English III (Core)
COREQUISITES: If you take this course, you must also take JOURNALISM (SPRING)
OFFERED: One year course

Latin American Literature

Course Description

In this course, students will focus on examining texts by writers of Latin-American ancestry. Students will read and analyze various genres such as fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry. The course will develop each student’s ability to analyze literature and communicate through both written and oral expression as they develop their own understanding of Latinx perspectives. Special attention will be paid to social justice movements, art and culture, and various forms of expression unique to Latinx communities in the United States and beyond.

CREDIT: 0.5
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 12
PREREQUISITES: One year of AP English Language and Composition OR English III (Core)
COREQUISITES: None
OFFERED: One semester course

Multicultural Themes

Course Description

This course presents multicultural themes and perspectives in literature. The literature focus is on writing that represents the works of marginalized Americans who illustrate the ethnic diversity of America and the cross cultural experience that is a part of American life. Emphasis is placed on developing a deeper understanding and awareness of cultural diversity as reflected in contemporary fiction, non-fiction, and other artistic works.

This is an elective only course.

CREDIT: 0.5
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 12
PREREQUISITES: One year of AP English Language and Composition OR English III (Core)
COREQUISITES: None
OFFERED: One semester course

Science Fiction

Course Description

This course will examine science fiction across multiple media, including literature, film, and television. Students will survey the history of science fiction and trace the way each creator has responded to changing social conditions, including the fears and anxieties that surround advancements in science and technology. Students are expected to read and respond critically to a variety of texts in order to deepen their understanding of these genres and their broad cultural impact.

CREDIT: 0.5
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 12
PREREQUISITES: One year of AP English Language and Composition OR English III (Core)
COREQUISITES: None
OFFERED: One semester course

Broadcast Journalism

Course Description

Broadcast Journalism is a workshop oriented course the begins with foundational units and transitions to units addressing the production cycle. All students will produce work in a variety of media platforms and in a variety of genres (news, feature, sports, etc.) over the course of the school term.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITES: One year of Journalism
COREQUISITES: None
OFFERED: One year course