Language Arts Classes

Early World Humanities

Prerequisite:  None       

Grade(s):  9                   Trimesters:  2                Credit:  1

In this class, students examine literature from ancient civilizations through the early Renaissance.  Writing instruction emphasizes multiple-drafted analytical and personal narrative essays, as well as poetry.  Critical reading, theme identification, and characteristics of quality writing will be identified through the study of a wide range of genre.  Material parallels the study of Early World History.

English 9

Prerequisite:  None                               

Grade(s):  9                   Trimesters:  2                Credit:  1

This course emphasizes comprehension and critical reading strategies, theme identification, characteristics distinguishing particular genre, and qualities of effective writing.  Students strengthen their compositional skills by utilizing the writing process.  Cultural and historical influences on writing are also explored.

English 10

Prerequisite:  English 9 of Early World Humanities            

Grade(s):  10                 Trimesters:  2                Credit:  1

This course will focus on various genres of classic and contemporary narrative and informational texts.  Students will connect with and respond to texts through critical response and stance.  They will learn to evaluate for validity and quality, to balance and expand their perspectives promoting empathy, social action and appropriate use of power.

World Humanities

Prerequisite: Early World Humanities; Concurrent enrollment in AP World History

Grade(s):  10                 Trimesters:  2                Credit:  1

In this advanced class, students examine the great writers, artists, thinkers and composers from the Roman era to the present day.  Students will analyze human activities (considering ethical/reasoning dilemmas); develop critical/divergent thinking skills through the application of research techniques.    Presented chronologically, material parallels the study of AP World History.

The American Experience

Prerequisite:  English 10, Advanced English 10, or World Humanities.  Grade(s):  11                          Trimesters:  2                Credit:  1

The American Experience presents either a chronological or thematic study of American literature.  During the course, students will improve their reading and writing skills and present a multi-genre research project. 

American Humanities

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of either Advanced English 10 and/or World Humanities

Grade(s):  11                 Trimesters:  2                Credit:  1

This course presents a chronological study of American literature, art, music, and history from the pre-colonial period to the mid-20^th Century.  A student who successfully completes both AP U.S. History and American Humanities may waive the communication graduation requirement.

Advanced Acting

Prerequisite:  Introduction to Drama (B or higher)                                    

Grade(s):  10-12                        Trimesters:  1                Credit:  ½

Career core elective for:            

Arts and Communication (P)

This course offers advanced techniques and concepts of the performing arts discipline to communicate ideas, emotions and experiences through pantomime and improvisation/creative drama.  Students will demonstrate use of appropriate vocabularies involved in character analysis and development, both written and performance based.  They will perform and exhibit the results of the creative process for various audiences and reflect upon these performances through analysis.  Identifying, describing and analyzing plays/styles of playwrights and their meanings round out the course.

Advanced Placement English Literature

Prerequisite:  Early World Humanities, World Humanities, American Humanities and/or teacher recommendation                                             

Grade(s):  12                 Trimesters:  3                            Credit:  1 ½

Career core elective for:            

Arts and Communication (P)

                        Human Services (P)

This course provides a study of literature for students who wish to benefit from a college-level course on the high school campus.  Students will demonstrate superior aptitude and skill interpreting literature and writing critical analyses regarding theme, structure, and style.  Poetry and personal narratives will also be assigned.  In May students may earn college credit by taking the English Literature Exam administered by the College Board.

Children’s Literature

Prerequisite:  None                   

Grade(s):  12                 Trimesters:  2                Credit:  1

Career core elective for: 

Human Services (T,P)

In this course, students will examine the different genres of children’s literature, such as picture books, poetry, fairy tales, short stories, and young adult novels.  Students will write frequently, including at least one original piece of children’s literature, and read adult novels independently.

Collaborative Writing

Prerequisite: None (A student may not enroll in this course if s/he has taken or is taking Speech)                   

Grade(s):  11-12                        Trimesters:  1                Credit:  ½

Career core elective for:            

Health Sciences (T,P)

                        Natural Resources and Agriscience (P)

This course allows students to develop teamwork and interpersonal speaking and listening skills for the work world or post-secondary training.  Students will learn how to give and create oral and written directions, as well as use skills in communicating in teams to work on advertising and other projects.  Rounding out the course will be a comparison/contrast essay which will focus on two different job fields of interest to the student.  Students who successfully complete Collaborative Writing and Technical Writing may substitute these courses for the required communication credit.

Interpersonal Communications

Prerequisite:  None 

Grade(s):  9-12                          Trimesters:  1                Credit:  ½

Career core elective for:            

Arts and Communication (T,P)

                        Business Management, Marketing and Technology (T,P)                            Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology (T,P)

                        Health Sciences (T,P)

                        Human Services (T,P)

                        Natural Resources and Agriscience (T,P)

Communication aids students in communicating their thoughts and ideas clearly and correctly and in developing their own self-awareness to the degree that they can cause such communications to happen.  The course includes the study of interpersonal communication, the presentation of various speeches, and written assignments based on communication observations.  To pass this course, a student must successfully present an informative speech, a persuasive speech.

The English Tradition

Prerequisite:  None                   

Grade(s):  12                 Trimesters:  2                Credit:  1

Career core elective for:            

Arts and Communication (P)

                        Human Services (P)

 The English Tradition provides a chronological survey of the history of English literature and the lives and works of major British writers from the early epic tales, such as Beowulf, to modern works. 

Expressive Writing

Prerequisite:  Juniors-Submission of portfolio and teacher approval            

Grade(s):  11-12                        Trimesters:  2                Credit:  1

Career core elective for:            

Arts and Communication (T,P)

After studying literary models, students will create numerous poems,

short stories and personal narratives.  Heavy emphasis will be placed on the writing process, particularly revision.  In addition, much time will be devoted to improving vocabulary and developing creative writing skills.

Film Study

Prerequisite:  None                   

Grade(s):  11-12                        Trimesters:  1                Credit:  ½

Career core elective for:            

Arts and Communication (T,P)

This course investigates film as a form of artistic expression.  Students will begin with the history of film-making the United States.  They will learn to understand and recognize the techniques, patterns, elements and skills used in the art of movie making.  They then will watch important films of the last century and learn to critique them in writing.  The final project will be a presentation of a short student-created film demonstrating concepts learned throughout the trimester. 

Forensics

Prerequisite:  Agreement to participate in MIFA sponsored tournaments which occur outside the regular school day

Grade(s):  10-12            Trimesters:  1 (2^nd trimester only)   Credit:  ½

Career core elective for:            

Arts and Communication (T,P)

This course provides students instruction and experience in preparing and presenting various kinds of speech activities, both public speaking and dramatic, for intermural tournaments sponsored by the Michigan Interscholastic Forensic Association.  Students will learn to critique the performance of others.

Introduction to Drama

Prerequisite:  None                   

Grade(s):  10-12                        Trimesters:  1                Credit:  ½

Career core elective for:            

Arts and Communication (T,P)

Introduction to Drama provides students with an overall study of drama, including history of the theatre, techniques of acting, and mechanics of stage production.  Students will perform in class in various activities and will be required to write evaluations of plays seen or read.  This course may count as a communication credit.

Science Fiction/Fantasy

Prerequisite:  English 9              

Grade(s):  9-12                          Trimesters:  1                Credit:  ½

Students will explore the far-reaching and ever-intriguing science fiction/fantasy genre through the reading of short stories, plays, poetry, and/or novels.  Students will develop analytical compositions in reaction to course selections.
 

Senior English

Prerequisite:  None-May not be taken in conjunction with AP English          

Grade(s):  12                 Trimesters:  2                Credit:  1

Career core elective for:            

Arts and Communications (P)

                        Human Services (P)

This course focuses on preparing students for college level writing and reading.  Students will read commonly suggested college novels, short stories, plays and poetry.  They will also focus on college level writing of essays, exams, and conducting class discussions.

Stagecraft

Prerequisite:  Introduction to Drama (C or higher)                                    

Grade(s):  10-12                        Trimesters:  1                Credit:  ½

Career core elective for:            

Arts and Communication (T)

This course provides an extensive, hands-on application of the techniques and elements used by the technical staff for a stage production.  It includes a comprehensive demonstration of appropriate vocabularies, tolls and instruments used in theatre along with an understanding of the historical background of these terms, tools and instruments.  Through various plays and scenes read/viewed in class students will analyze the variety of sets, make up plots and applications, lighting designs, and costume designs that can be derived.  Students will present their creative processes for an audience of their peers and describe, using research, how choosing

a career in this field can apply to many other fields and disciplines. 

Technical Writing

 Prerequisite: None (A student may not enroll in this section if s/he has taken or is taking Speech)  

Grade(s):  11-12                        Trimesters:  1                Credit:  ½

Career core elective for:            

Health Sciences (T,P)

                        Natural Resources and Agriscience (P) 

Designed for students who plan on entering the work force or technical school immediately after high school, this course focuses on the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills needed in the workplace.  This section will help students make the transition from high school to post-secondary training and work.  Students will utilize technology to conduct research, write documents, and present information, as well as create resumes, cover letters and letters of application.   Students who successfully complete Collaborative Writing, Speaking, and Listening and Technical Writing may substitute these courses for the required communication credit.

Advanced TV Production

Prerequisite:  Passed TV Media A & B with a B+ or higher and teacher approval

Grade(s):  11-12                        Trimesters:  1                Credit:  ½

Career core elective for:            

Arts and Communication (T)

                        Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology (T)

For the serious student desirous of pursuing a media career after high school, this course allows individuals to delve further into various types of programming.  Students will gain further knowledge of the planning, scripting, filming and editing processes through the analysis and creation of morning newscasts, network-style documentaries and independent projects.  Also included will be student issue-based programs for broadcast on Charter channel 22 and for FOX17 Student News.

TV Media Production

Prerequisite:  None       

Grade(s):  10-12                        Trimesters:  2                Credit:  1

Career core elective for:            

Arts and Communication (T)

                        Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology (T)

This course includes the study of media’s history and effects on life; the proper use of digital video equipment, and the skillful use of appropriate vocabularies associated with the discipline.  Students will discover how to apply techniques of in-camera editing to the production process to communicate ideas.  They will be able to identify and apply their knowledge of legal issues surrounding production for TV to other academic disciplines through spot and Public Service Announcement creation, which will be published on Charter Channel 22.  Students will be expected to analyze and critique their filming techniques on a daily basis while considering target audiences and the variety of meanings that can be conveyed in one visual place.

Writing for Publication

Prerequisite:  Application and teacher approval                

Grade(s):  9-12                          Trimesters:  2                Credit:  1

Career core elective for:            

Arts and Communication (T,P)

                        Business Management, Marketing and Technology (T,P)

                        Human Services (P)

In this course, students become published photo-journalists, with their work appearing in the Echo Yearbook, an annual AHS publication.  Yearbook staff members conduct personal interviews, write news stories and photo captions, develop skills necessary for layout and photography, secure advertising, and become familiar with various computer programs.  Students demonstrate proficiency in writing as they take copies through multiple drafts.  Yearbook students must be highly organized, hard working, assertive and efficient.