English

Literature and Writing 1 Credit    

Course No. 012 
Trimesters: 2

This course is intended to prepare students for the rigor of high school reading and writing by cultivating the habits of strong readers and writers. With an emphasis on both the ability to show deep, insightful thinking, and basic mechanics, students will routinely practice writing for different purposes and audiences. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of literature and non-fiction, both self-chosen and assigned, from ancient texts to current-day best sellers, to build a repertoire of reading strategies. Within the Reader’s/Writer’s Workshop model that emphasizes student choice and personalized learning, students will show mastery using oral and written formats, performance-based assessments, writing journals, and formal essays. 
 

English  

0.5 Credit per trimester  
Course No. 043                                      
Trimesters: varies                                   
 
Students will apply reading and writing to everyday life situations. Activities will emphasize reading for understanding and writing as a means for communication. Class discussions, presentations, and cooperative groups are integral components of the course. 
 

American Literature Honors    

1.5 Credits  
Course No. 035
Level 1
Trimesters: 3

Prerequisite:   A minimum grade of B+ in Grade Nine English and teacher recommendation. 

The hallmark of an Honors level course is the depth of critical and original thinking required, as well as the expectation to work independently. American Literature Honors is a full year workshop course designed for advanced readers and writers who are prepared to read, discuss, and write about texts in critical, nuanced ways as independent workers. Throughout the course, students will investigate and synthesize the beliefs of the founding fathers, past and present American ideals, our country’s successes and shortcomings, and the impact of race, class, and gender in America. They will also read works by Sherman Alexie, Arthur Miller, and F. Scott Fitzgerald to examine the ways that literature reflects and/or challenges society. Aside from studying core texts, students will have a significant amount of choice in what they read by way of independent reading, and book club choices that reflect expectations of advanced, independent readers. As such, this course will help each individual student extend and refine their skills and grow as a reader, writer, and thinker chiefly through the processes of feedback and revision. 
Homework:  Students are expected to engage in at least forty minutes of homework per night.

American Literature  

1.5 Credits 
Course No. 036
Level 2    
Trimesters: 3

Prerequisite:   Successful completion of Course 012  (Freshman English)

American Literature is a workshop course that will provide students with the opportunity both to build upon the skills developed during freshman year as well as explore American ideals. Students will grow as critical readers as they move from analysis to synthesis of ideas with various levels of support and scaffolding and through the process of feedback and revision. Throughout the course, students will consider the beliefs of the founding fathers, our country’s successes and shortcomings, and the impact of race, class, and gender in America. They will also read works by Sherman Alexie, Arthur Miller, and F. Scott Fitzgerald to examine the ways that literature reflects and/or challenges society. Aside from studying these core texts, students will have a significant amount of choice in what they read. As such, this course will help each individual student refine his/her skills and grow as a reader and writer while moving from analysis of text to synthesis of texts. 
Homework:  Students are expected to engage in at least thirty minutes of homework per night.

English  

0.5 Credit per trimester               
Course No. 813                                              
Trimesters: varies                                   
 
Students will apply reading and writing to everyday life situations. Activities will emphasize reading for understanding and writing as a means for communication. Class discussions, presentations, and cooperative groups are integral components of the course. 
 

World Literature - Honors: Reality & Unreality  

1 Credit
Course No. 042
Level 1
Trimesters: 2 

Prerequisite:   A minimum grade of a B in course 035 (American Literature level 1), or a minimum of an A- in course 036 (American Literature level 2), AND teacher recommendation.

The first trimester in both course options ask students to deeply consider their roles as global citizens. Trimester one poses this question: As Americans, how are we genetically, culturally, and politically connected to the rest of the world?  In order to set the stage for this study, students will engage in a range of texts from ancient classics, to contemporary fiction. Trimester one invites students to pose inquiry, investigate themes across cultures, and examine the “second story.” 

The second trimester of this course will investigate how cultures choose to express themselves through their stories of the fantastical and fictional. How is the reality of their culture reflected in the unreality of their stories? This course studies the genres of mythology, magical realism, science fiction, and fantasy in order to study how a culture might use their imaginations to create stories that share their biggest hopes and dreams as well as their deepest fears…and most importantly, how are they like us?

As an honors course, students will conduct their own inquiries, readily analyze and synthesize texts, and are expected to be independent learners that approach texts in increasingly critical, nuanced ways. Students are expected to convey levels of depth and insight that is typical of an advanced, practiced, reader. 

Homework: Students are expected to engage in at least thirty minutes of reading or other homework per night.

World Literature: Reality & Unreality  

1 Credit   
Course No. 040
Level 2
Trimesters: 2                                                                                                                                           

Prerequisite:   Successful completion of Course 036 (American Literature)

The first trimester in both course options ask students to deeply consider their roles as global citizens. Trimester one poses this question: As Americans, how are we genetically, culturally, and politically connected to the rest of the world?  In order to set the stage for this study, students will engage in a range of texts from ancient classics, to contemporary fiction. Trimester one invites students to pose inquiry, investigate themes across cultures, and examine the “second story.” 

The second trimester of this course will investigate how cultures choose to express themselves through their stories of the fantastical and fictional. How is the reality of their culture reflected in the unreality of their stories? This course studies the genres of mythology, magical realism, science fiction, and fantasy in order to study how a culture might use their imaginations to create stories that share their biggest hopes and dreams as well as their deepest fears…and most importantly, how are they like us?

Homework: Students are expected to engage in at least thirty minutes of reading or other homework per night.

World Literature Honors: Courage, Hope & Adversity  

1 Credit   
Course No. 046 
Level 1
Trimesters: 2                                                     

Prerequisite:   A minimum grade of a B in course 035 (American Literature level 1),  or a minimum of an A- in course 036 (American Literature level 2), AND teacher recommendation.

The first trimester in both course options ask students to deeply consider their roles as global citizens. Trimester one poses this question: As Americans, how are we genetically, culturally, and politically connected to the rest of the world?  In order to set the stage for this study, students will engage in a range of texts from ancient classics, to contemporary fiction. Trimester one invites students to pose inquiry, investigate themes across cultures, and examine the “second story.” 

The second trimester of this course will examine the notion and nature of the hero by studying a range of experiences that are strongly unlike our own. As Americans, what do we have to learn from the hardship of others and how might this cause us to see our own selves differently? With a mix of contemporary and classic texts, students will investigate intercultural experiences that are both universally human and culturally unique. Students will investigate in what ways we share common human experiences of loss, loneliness, hope, and determination. 

As an honors course, students will conduct their own inquiries, readily analyze and synthesize texts, and are expected to be independent learners that approach texts in increasingly critical, nuanced ways. Students are expected to convey levels of depth and insight that is typical of an advanced, practiced, reader. 

World Literature: Courage, Hope & Adversity  

1 Credit 
Course No. 044
Level 2
Trimesters: 2 

Prerequisite:   Successful completion of Course 036 (American Literature)

The first trimester in both course options ask students to deeply consider their roles as global citizens. Trimester one poses this question: As Americans, how are we genetically, culturally, and politically connected to the rest of the world?  In order to set the stage for this study, students will engage in a range of texts from ancient classics, to contemporary fiction. Trimester one invites students to pose inquiry, investigate themes across cultures, and examine the “second story.” 

The second trimester of this course will examine the notion and nature of the hero by studying a range of experiences that are strongly unlike our own. As Americans, what do we have to learn from the hardship of others and how might this cause us to see our own selves differently? With a mix of contemporary and classic texts, students will investigate intercultural experiences that are both universally human and culturally unique. Students will investigate in what ways we share common human experiences of loss, loneliness, hope, and determination. 
 

AP Language and Composition  

1 Credit
Course No. 048
Level 1
Trimesters: 2

Prerequisite:  A minimum grade of a B+ in course 035 (American Literature level 1), or a minimum of an A in course 036 (American Literature level 2), AND teacher recommendation.    

The AP English Language and Composition course focuses on the development and revision of evidence-based analytic and argumentative writing, the rhetorical analysis of nonfiction texts, and the decisions writers make as they compose and revise. Students evaluate, synthesize, and cite research to support their arguments. Additionally, they read and analyze rhetorical elements and their effects in nonfiction texts—including images as forms of text — from a range of disciplines, cultures, and historical periods.

English   0.5 Credit per trimester                                     Course No.  850                                          
Trimesters: varies                                    
 
Students will apply reading and writing to everyday life situations. Activities will emphasize reading for understanding and writing as a means for communication. Class discussions, presentations, and cooperative groups are integral components of the course. 
 

Race, Literature, and Culture  

0.5 Credit  
Course No. 085
Level 1
Trimesters: 1

Prerequisite:   Successful completion of American Literature. 

In Race, Literature, and Culture, students will be introduced to a variety of concepts related to the role of race in literature, history, and contemporary culture: implicit vs. explicit bias, the danger of a single story, colorblindness, postcolonial power relationships, and the various means by which people of color have been (and continue to be) segregated. They will study literary and historical texts from the slavery era to the modern day and analyze them through the aforementioned concepts. This course will challenge any pre-conceived opinions by exposing students to new ideas. Students will practice applying their own background and beliefs to nuanced, challenging, and controversial issues. Students will be exposed to some difficult and controversial ideas and reading material. All ideas presented in the course are points for discussion and do not necessarily represent any opinion or belief of the instructor or Madison Public Schools.

Homework:  The typical homework assignment in this course will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
 

The Bible as Literature    

0.5 Credit   
Course No. 077
Level 1
Trimesters: 1

The Bible as Literature is a survey of the Old and New Testament of the Bible.  The course includes readings from Greek mythology and modern literature for comparative purposes.  Students examine the biblical concepts of democracy, freedom, justice, life, death, and marriage, as well as their impact on modern-day literature, the legal system, etc.  Most importantly, the course explores the numerous literary allusions which have the Bible as a source.

Homework:  The typical homework assignment in this course will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
 

Attitudes Toward War

0.5 Credit Course No. 072
Level 2
Trimesters: 1

War has been one of the most prevalent topics in literature throughout time. This course will look at modern war from World War I & II and Vietnam to the War on Terror. Students will study the transition or change in sentiment towards war and how the literature both shapes and reflects this change. Students will have a unique opportunity to study literature (Vonnegut, Wiesel, Guterson, Zusak, Hillenbrand, Spiegelman, and O’Brien, etc.) and film (Saving Private Ryan, Forrest Gump, The Hurt Locker) to trace the various sentiments of different subcultures. Students should expect daily reading assignments, journal writing, and thought provoking, rigorous assessments.

Creative Writing    

0.5 Credit     
Course No. 066
Level 2
Trimesters: 1 

Creative Writing highlights techniques of expressive writing in the autobiography, poems, fiction, and drama.  Students keep writing journals and share some of their work with the class.  Readings and written exercises are assigned to help students acquire greater awareness of the writing styles of established authors and to experiment with new techniques in their own expressive writing.  Students produce several finished pieces throughout the term, with a major work as a culminating activity.   Students are encouraged to submit their work to the school literary magazine, the Phoenix.

Journalism  

0.5 Credit                                              
Course No. 068 
Level 2                  
Trimesters: 1             

Journalism students examine the First Amendment as well as the ethical and legal concerns of journalists.  In addition, the course focuses on interviewing skills, evaluating newsworthiness, and current events.  Students have a number of assignments that cover the full range of journalistic writing.  These activities result in major articles submitted for grading during the course.  In addition, students assess newspaper writing style, learn to edit and ready copy, and experience the process of publishing a newspaper.  Students are encouraged to submit their revised articles to many print and online publications.  This course heavily relies on technology and online resources.
 

Literature and Film  

0.5 Credit     
Course No. 073
Level 2
Trimesters: 1

With a strong emphasis on literary analysis, this course exposes students to the vocabulary of film and adaptation.  Through a focused study of iconic films, students will identify and critique the cinematic techniques used to create meaning in film.  Once that foundation is set, students will read a variety of short-form and long-form literature and consider the decisions that screenwriters, directors, cinematographers, and actors make when adapting these works for the big screen. Students will also engage in critical, historical, and theoretical analysis of film to understand its cultural impact.  Successful students will view films in and outside of school, read literature that has been adapted into film, complete formal scene and film analyses, as well as read and write film reviews.

AP English (Literature & Composition)  

1.5 DHHS Credits
Course No. 041
(Seminar in Writing through Literature: ENGL 1007)  8 UCONN Credits
Level 1          
Trimesters: 3 

Prerequisite:  A minimum of a B+ in a Level 1 English course and teacher recommendation. 

This course is part of the University of Connecticut’s Early College Experience Program. Students may also earn college credit or Advanced Placement status by good performance on the Advanced Placement examinations. Only students who are registered in the UConn/ECE program for this course and earn a passing grade will receive UConn/ECE credit.

AP/UConn English requires students to become skilled readers of literature written in various genres, periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts.  Students read to understand a work’s complexity, as well as its richness of meaning, and to analyze how that meaning is embodied in literary form.

AP/UConn English students also work to become confident writers who control a wide range of rhetorical strategies and who possess a keen sense of audience and purpose.  Peer evaluation and student/teacher conferencing help students develop revision skills.  Written assignments include a variety of personal essays, literary analyses, creative writing assignments, research-based writings, oral presentations, and multi-disciplinary projects.  

Note: This class includes extensive summer work. Students will be expected to have this work completed on the first day of school. Consequently, the deadline for enrollment for this class is June 30. 

Homework:  The typical homework assignment in this course will take over 60 minutes to complete.

Humanities    

1 Credit  (0.5 Credits English / 0.5 Credits Social Studies)      
Course No. 080 
Level 1
Trimesters: 2

Prerequisite:  Successful completion of U.S. History and American Literature

Humanities is a course intended for the very capable and highly motivated student dedicated to academic study.  The purpose of the course is to explore the interdisciplinary nature of history, literature, art, and music. The course will be co-taught by one English teacher and one history teacher, supplemented throughout the course by teacher presentations from the art and music departments.  The humanities utilize a specific way of thinking about and responding to the world, prompting people to examine and make sense of the human experience in general and their individual experiences in particular.  The humanities enable people to reflect upon their lives and ask fundamental questions of value, purpose, and meaning in a rigorous and systematic way about the challenges faced in their families, their communities, and as a nation.  The Humanities course requires students to read extensively and critically, make presentations, respond to materials in written essays, and to actively participate in discussions.  Homework:  The typical homework assignment in this course will take approximately 45 minutes to complete.
 

Process of Communication

1 Credit
Course No 074
(The Process of Communication: COMM 1000) 3 UCONN Credits
Level 2
Trimesters: 2

This elective course has been designed to extend the high school English experience. This course is a study of modern communication theories and principles useful in understanding how you affect and are affected by others through communication. Methods to develop your communication skills, the role of technology and media in various aspects of daily life.

Only students who are registered in the UConn/ECE program for this course and earn a grade of C or better will receive UConn/ECE credit.

Writing for Career and College  

0.5 Credit   
Course No. 095
Level 2
Trimesters: 1

This writing course, for students who want to improve writing fluency, uses short stories, novels, and magazine articles as mentor texts to help guide and focus student writing.  Having a choice of writing topics and mentor authors allows students to personalize aspects of the course.  Students will follow the cyclical process of planning, drafting, revising, editing, publishing, and reflecting to make their writing better.

English  

0.5 Credit per trimester   
Course No. 847                                              
Trimesters: varies                                     
 
Students will apply reading and writing to everyday life situations. Activities will emphasize reading for understanding and writing as a means for communication. Class discussions, presentations, and cooperative groups are integral components of the course.