Academics
Communication Arts Course Description
Reading/Writing Workshop
Grade: 9
Credit: 1.00
Full Year
This course is required of freshmen placed in the Br. Andre Scholar Program. Emphasis is placed on the development of reading and writing strategies as well as effective study skills. Students will read and respond via journaling to a wide variety of literature spanning various genres. This course is not a regular level college prep. course, but rather a supplemental course to Composition and Literature I; therefore, it receives negative weighted quality value points. Prerequisites: Placement into this course is by departmental discretion
Composition & Literature I
Grade: 9 Credit: 1.00 Full Year
Promotes understanding of basic elements of literary genres such as character, irony and suspense. Composition will primarily focus upon narratives, descriptives, comparison and contrasts, expository and themes in poetry. Grammar skills and vocabulary development will be emphasized. Basic library skills will be refined.
Honors Composition & Literature I
Grade: 9
Credit: 1.00
Full Year (Receives Honor Value Points)
In addition to the requirements of Composition & Literature I, honors students will be required to apply syntax to their writing. Grammar skills will be refined first semester and library skills will be demonstrated. Focus on the writing of five-paragraph essays. Additionally, honors students will be required to read four books outside of class.
Prerequisites: Placement by department
World Literature & Composition II
Grade: 10
Credit: 1.00
Full Year
Students will survey works from various non-British authors from African, Asian, Latino, Middle-Eastern and European cultures. The five-paragraph essay, descriptive, narrative, persuasive, and expository writings will be reviewed. Primary focus will be on research skills. Basic grammar skills from Composition I will be reviewed with the addition of phrases and clauses, agreement, verb tenses and passive versus active voice.
Honors World Literature & Composition II
Grade: 10
Credit: 1.00
Full Year (Receives Honor Value Points)
The honors course has the same basic requirements of World Literature & Composition II with the additional requirement of analysis of non-fiction essays and four additional literary works. Writing expectations are increased as well.
Prerequisites: A minimum grade of "B" in Honors Composition I and/or departmental approval
American Literature & Composition III
Grade: 11
Credit: 1.00
Full Year
The primary focus of this course is on the impact of society and culture on American literature ranging from the colonial period to the post-modern era. At least two novels will be explored in addition to a series of non-fiction historical essays. Review of grammar skills will continue with emphasis on proper utilization of those skills in writing. In the area of vocabulary development emphasis is placed on word derivation, roots and affixes. The expectation is that students will write an analytical piece regarding the interrelationship of history and literature stressing MLA usage. Formal persuasive writing will be studied in preparation for the writing requirement for graduation. The Junior Composition Proficiency Exam, a graduation requirement, is administered in conjunction with this course.
Honors American Literature & Composition III
Grade: 11
Credit: 1.00
Full Year (Receives Honor Value Points)
In addition to the expectations of American Literature and Composition III, honors students will write a research paper based on an outside reading source, and read four additional literary works.
Prerequisites: A minimum grade of "B", outstanding class participation in Honors World Literature and Composition II and/or departmental approval
British Literature & Composition IV
Grade: 12
Credit: 1.00
Full Year
This course surveys the historical development of British literature from Anglo-Saxon to modern and its influences. Elements of the epic, lyric, ballad, sonnet and the epic and tragic hero will be studied. Additionally, application of poetic and dramatic elements in the analysis of literary works will be stressed as well as critical responses to textual questions and independent research writing. The vocabulary component will focus on etymology and usage.
Honors British Literature & Composition IV
Grade: 12
Credit: 1.00
Full Year (Receives Honor Value Points)
In addition to the requirements of British Literature and Composition IV, honors students will be required to read and demonstrate their knowledge of four additional literary works.
Prerequisites: A minimum grade of "B", outstanding class participation in Honors American Literature and Composition III and/or departmental approval
AP English Literature & Composition
Grade: 12
Credit: 1.00
Full Year (Receives Honor Value Points)
This course is an accelerated survey of British literature with additional readings and critical essays on all literatures and genres. Also required is the written and oral presentation on the analyses of: a Shakespearean sonnet, a literary critic, and one outside book each month. AP exams will be given in spring.
Prerequisites: A minimum grade of "B+" in Honors American Literature and Composition III and departmental approval
Creative Writing
Grade: 11, 12
Credit: 0.50 (One Semester)
Satisfies Fine Arts Requirement not English
This elective is a writing intensive course with emphasis on the ability of a student to critique his own writing as well as that of others.
Rhetoric of Cinema
Grade: 11, 12
Credit: 0.50 (One Semester)
Satisfies Fine Arts Requirement not English
This is an elective course. In the spirit of film as literature, literary elements as well as elements of film such as plot, theme, tone and characterization will be studied. The use of film language and rhetoric will be required in the written and spoken analysis of film. Influences on film such as politics, art, sociology, theology, and history will be examined.
Speech
Grade: 11, 12
Credit: 0.50 (One Semester)
Satisfies Fine Arts Requirement not English
This elective course is designed to improve a student's ability to think critically, effectively challenge opposing views, and clearly vocalize thoughts. Preparation, execution and analysis of speeches and the successful fielding of questions is stressed. Use of the mass media in effective communications is also explored.
Journalism
Grade: 10, 11, 12
Credit: 0.50 (One Semester)
Satisfies Fine Arts Requirement not English
This course focuses on the history of journalism and all forms of reporting including hard news, features, speeches and events, editorial writing, interviewing skills and arts review. In addition students will develop their editing and proofreading skills, become familiar with ethical and legal issues, while applying what they have learned to the real world via submissions to FOCUS, Notre Dame's student newspaper, as well as other publications inside and outside of the Notre Dame community.