English Department

Mrs. Eileen Broderick, Chairperson
ebroderick@sjcadets.org
378-9378, Ext. 249

Department Philosophy

The St. Joseph High School English Department strives to promote student proficiency and confidence in reading and writing. Providing a four year literature based program which focuses on improving writing and speaking skills, building vocabulary skills and increasing literary appreciation and knowledge are goals of the English curriculum. An introduction to literature types and vocabulary study in freshman year is followed by American Literature for sophomores, then British and European Literature for juniors and modern and world literature and writing for Senior English. A four-year speech, composition and vocabulary program spans the literature-based classes. Electives include Shakespeare’s Comedies and Tragedies, Journalism, Poetry, Film and Literature, The World's Stage and Creative Writing.

English 110 Freshman English (1 Credit; Grade 9; Academic Level: CP) This literature based course introduces students to the basics in oral and written communication. Students study grammar and vocabulary and apply this knowledge in expository, creative, and research writing. The course provides an introduction to mythology and to various genres such as poetry, novels, drama, the epic and the short story.

English 111 Honors Freshman English (1 Credit; Grade 9; Academic Level: H1) Placement will be made by Guidance. See description for English 110. Requires outside reading.

English 119 College Enrichment Program English (1 Credit, Grade 9; Academic Level: CEP) Placement will be made by Guidance. See description for English 110.

English 120 American Literature (1 Credit; Grade 10; Academic Level: CP) Students will read works of major writers and movements in American Literature. The course will aim at understanding the American experience. The vocabulary program begun in freshman year is continued throughout the year. Essays, oral reports, and a research paper are integrated with the study of literature.

English 121 Honors American Literature (1 Credit; Grade 10; Academic Level: H1) In addition to the regular Sophomore American Literature program which includes vocabulary and composition study, the honors classes read six American novels, write one research paper each semester, study American art movements and examine philosophical/historical backgrounds of literary eras from the Colonial Age to the present. Placement will be made by the English Department based on teacher recommendation.

English 129 College Enrichment Program American Literature (1 Credit; Grade 10; Academic Level: CEP). Placement made by Guidance. See description of English 120. 

English 130 British Literature (1 Credit; Grade 11; Academic Level: CP) This course introduces the major literary movements and writers of Great Britain. A course in vocabulary is included with specific exercises aimed at preparing the students for the S.A.T. A research paper, essays and oral reports are integrated with the study of literature.

English 131 British and European Literature (1 Credit; Grade 11; Academic Level: H1) Prerequisite: Placement will be made by the English Department. Students will read the work of world authors with a heavier concentration on British authors. A course in vocabulary is included with specific exercises aimed at preparing the student for College Board Examinations. A research paper, several essays, and oral presentations are required in the course.

For seniors: English 101, English 141/143, or English 140/142 are required.

English 140/142  Senior English (1 Credit: .50 credit each semester; Grade 12; Academic Level: CP) This literature based course emphasizes writing, focusing on expository, persuasive, research, and analytical writing. Students will read from each literary genre with an emphasis on twentieth century and world literature. Special projects will include preparing the college essay and a thorough study of several stories and plays. Frequent writing assignments, oral presentations and vocabulary study are required.

English 141/143 Senior Honors English (1 Credit: .50 Credit each semester; Grade 12; Academic Level: H1) Prerequisite: A weighted average of above 90 and approval by English Department. Course content is similar to English 140/142 with additional readings.

English 101 AP English Literature and Composition (1 Credit; Grade 12; Academic Level: AP) Placement will be made by the English Department. This is a college level course and will follow the standard syllabus approved by ETS. The required AP exam will be administered in May. This exam will cost the standard ETS fee. This course satisfies the required senior English course. College credit may be given in addition to AP credit earned.

English 150 Poetry Survey (.50 Credit, Grades 11, 12; Academic Level: CP) A thematic approach to poetry will be offered in this course. Several types of poetry from all time periods will be examined, but the emphasis will be on modern poetry.

English 152 Shakespeare's Comedies and Tragedies (.50 Credit; Grades 11, 12; Academic Level: CP) Students will read and compare several of Shakespeare's plays. Emphasis will be on understanding and enjoying Shakespeare's plays rather than on a detailed study of each work.

English 144  Creative Writing (.50 Credit; Grade 12; Academic Level: H2) Prerequisite: Approval by the English Department. This is a workshop for motivated students with a serious interest in pursuing writing. Student stories will be copied and distributed each week for critique. Students’ stories, as well as exemplary published short stories, will provide the occasion for textual criticism. The course will involve discussion of student work including fiction, essay and poetry with focus on the creative process and the goal of drafting and rewriting to produce a Student Porfolio of polished work.  The course involves reading of novels, short story, essays and poetry.  This course is limited to 25 students.

English 146  Film and Literature  (.50 Credit, Grades 11, 12; Academic Level H2) Preference to seniors.  Prerequisite: Recommendation from English teacher and a weighted average of no less than 85 in English. Students will be required to read two novels prior to the start of class. This course will explore a selection of genres in both film and literature including, but not limited to the American dream, animation, comedy, coming of age, dehumanization, search for identity, etc. The course is designed to introduce students to the study of relationships between literary and cinematic forms. Students will read novels, short stories and drama and compare and contrast the written version to the film version analyzing the literary and visual choices made by both the author and director. Writing assignments will move from personal response papers and journals to formal academic essays. Weekly readings, in-class writing and film viewing will serve to generate class discussion.

English 147 College Level Poetry (.50 Credit, Grade 12; Academic Level: CL)  Prerequisite: Approval by the English Department. This course takes the same thematic approach as the Poetry Survey course. College credit may be given for this course.

English 148 The World's Stage (.50 Credit, Grades 12; Academic Level CP)  Theatre serves as a vehicle to consider the social, political, and economic forces that shaped societies and their entertainments. This course surveys theatre and performance (dance, pageantry, spectacle, and popular entertainments) as a mirror of the people and times that shaped them. Students will study theater of many cultures including Greece, Japan, Italy, France, England, South America and the United States.