Special Skills English

BASIC SKILLS ENGLISH
211900
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: None

This review course is for those students who have not passed either language arts section of the minimum competency tests. Strategies to improve written language skills will be reviewed and practiced.

CAHSEE ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS REVIEW
231100
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: None

This course is designed to provide support for students who have not passed the English Language Arts section of the California High School Exit Exam. Students will receive instruction in and practice with the English Language Arts content standards that the exam assesses.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER (ELL 1 & ELL 2)
212100/212200
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Native language other than English and counselor and ELL staff placement

This course for non-native speakers concentrates on the natural approach to language acquisition through daily listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Emphasis will be on skill attainment through use of total physical response activities, games, logs, field trips, tapes, books, magazines, and a community of support for academic achievement.

HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH REVIEW
(Summer School)
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: None

This summer review course is designed for students who have taken English 9, 10, or 11 but did not pass one semester at any level. Basic English skills and strategies will be reviewed, including writing, reading and discussion skills, as well as literature study.

READING EFFICIENTLY
239000
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: The need and/or desire to improve reading.

This course is primarily for students who have not passed the competency tests in reading or those who want to improve reading skills. Students have the opportunity to learn how to read faster and understand more of all they read. General elective credit is earned. This course does not replace required English classes.

10TH GRADE ENGLISH
Required Course (Choose one)

ENGLISH 10 P
211000
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b

English 10, a yearlong college preparation course, combines the study of American, multicultural, and international literature. Students write regularly in a variety of modes. The course emphasizes extensive reading with an emphasis on college preparatory writing critical and expository essays. Vocabulary development and grammar skills will be addressed.

ENGLISH 10 (GATE) P
211200
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites:
On UC/CSU Course List: b

English 10 (GATE) accomplishes the same curriculum goals as English 10, adjusted to the learning needs of the GATE-identified student. Please see the English 10 course description.

ENGLISH 10 HONORS P
211400
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Completion of English 9 with a grade of A, teacher recommendation
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b

Student who enrolls in an Honors course cannot opt out of the study of a novel.

English 10 Honors, a yearlong college preparation course, combines the study of American, multicultural, and international literature. Students write regularly in a variety of modes, including analysis, reflection, and narration. The course emphasizes extensive reading with an emphasis on college-level writing critical and expository essays. Vocabulary development and grammar skills will be addressed. A comprehensive, written final exam is required. This course provides college level work but does not receive weighted grade points for UC admission, although private colleges may give weighted points. Note: English 10 Honors is an accelerated course designed to challenge sophomore students with college-level work. Students who enroll in English 10 Honors should possess outstanding reading and writing skills, and should expect more reading and writing than that required in English 10 classes.

ENGLISH 10 Sheltered P
211300
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Native language other than English and counselor and ELL staff placement
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b

This course will accomplish the same curriculum goals of the regular English 10 course in addition to increasing English language proficiency.

NOTE: Sophomores may elect Debate, Drama, Public Speaking or Journalism I in addition to English 10 if they have a recommendation from their 9th grade English teacher and space is available. These courses are listed under Twelfth Grade English electives.

11TH GRADE ENGLISH
Required Course (Choose one)

Note: All eleventh grade students are required to select one of the following year courses. These courses will integrate literature and composition.

AMERICAN LITERATURE P
214000
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Junior standing
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b

American Literature, a core course of the eleventh grade English curriculum, gives the student a solid foundation in the literature of our country. Students study works from all periods of American history. Students develop skills in a variety of writing techniques ranging from personal narrative to critical evaluation and interpretation. Class activities include lecture, discussion, presentations, projects, video, and current print media.

AMERICAN LITERATURE HONORS P
215300
One Year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Junior standing, passage of the exit exam, completion of English 10 with an A, or English 10 Honors with a B and teacher recommendation.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b

Student who enrolls in an Honors course cannot opt out of the study of a novel. (See DSHS website for course outline.)

American Literature Honors is an advanced college-level survey course for which students receive weighted grade points. Students study fiction, essays, poetry, and drama. In addition to the extensive required readings, students write eight analytical essays responding to the literature over the year-long course. Vocabulary development and grammar skills will also be addressed.

AMERICAN LITERATURE Sheltered P
215100
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisite: Junior standing and native language other than English and counselor and ESL staff placement.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b

This course will accomplish the same curriculum goals of the regular American Literature course in addition to increasing English language proficiency.

12TH GRADE ENGLISH
ELECTIVES

NOTE: All students enrolled in any fall semester senior English class will learn to write the college personal statement with their English teacher. This unit, standardized by the English department, will be taught across all electives.

GENERAL ENGLISH ELECTIVES

Some juniors may elect these courses. Sophomore students should contact their counselor and course instructor if they wish to enroll in a general elective in addition to their English 10 course. Seniors have priority in scheduling.

BRITISH LITERATURE P
217300
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b
NOT OFFERED 2007-2008

Students read representative selections from the major literary periods and familiarize themselves with the social and political atmosphere of those periods. The emphasis in the course, however, will be the study of individual works. All types of literature will be included: poetry, drama, the novel, and the essay. Students participate in informal discussions and write formal analyses of the works studied. Students improve their skills in reading, understanding, and discussing literature. This course is not offered every year; refer to course list.

CALIFORNIA LITERATURE P
216800
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b
NOT OFFERED 2007-2008

This course will provide readings from California's historic, native, and multicultural writers. The study of the many types of literature produced in or about the Golden State is achieved through class discussion, presentations and projects. Writing includes creative, personal response, analytical/expository, comparison, and research assignments. This course provides students a literary, historic, geographic, ethnic, and cultural perspective of our state.

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE P
217100
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: Senior standing
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b

Participants study various authors and genres of literature for children, from the wistful Winnie-the-Pooh stories of A.A. Milne to the wacky and often political verse of Dr. Seuss. During the course of the semester, participants read literary analysis, poems, stories, and four young adult novels; they write an autobiographical narrative, a persuasive essay, two book reviews, and several creative pieces, including a fairy tale. The culminating project for each student is writing, illustrating, and binding a picture book for an elementary school student.

CLASSICAL HUMANITIES P
238500
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b
NOT OFFERED 2007-2008

This class studies ancient to modern works from both the eastern and western traditions. The class integrates art history, interspersed at appropriate points. Students write frequently in a variety of college preparatory modes, both creative and expository, and complete projects designed to connect language arts with music or visual arts. Some segments may be taught by music, language, dance, and/or drama teachers as well as occasional guest speakers. This course is not offered every year; refer to course list.

DISCUSSION & DEBATE 1 P
242100
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: None (open to sophomores)
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: g (elective)

Debate teaches critical thinking! This is learned through the principles of argumentation and applied through oral presentation. Students determine issues and discuss them in symposium-forum style; individuals also participate in a student- directed small group debate. Moreover, the National Debate Resolution governs the research and case development for the 2-person team debate of affirmative versus negative. In a democratic society, the clash of opinion is not only legitimate, it is essential! Debate encourages individual thought, sharpens decision-making skills, and provides an arena for acute listening and viable response.

DRAMA P
245500
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: None (open to sophomores)
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f,
Meets high school English graduation requirement.

This course offers training in basic and intermediate acting techniques, stage movement, vocal projection, characterization and dramatic conflict through active participation in theatre games, improvisation and scene work. Second semester includes theatre history and acting styles from the Greeks to the twentieth century as well as a variety of theatrical styles from around the world. Students will experience play writing; learn production skills, and perform publicly. Assessment includes class discussions for individual and group evaluation.

ENGLISH LITERATURE & COMPOSITION AP
Advanced Placement
213500
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Senior standing, exit exam passage, completion of American or British Literature with an A or B and teacher recommendation. Students who lack these prerequisites may petition for special consideration.
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b

This course demands rigorous thinking, extensive reading, and quality analytical writing. The goal of the course is two-fold: (1) students will analyze, comprehend, and appreciate works of recognized literary merit to prepare them for college study, and (2) students will have the opportunity to acquire techniques, strategies, and skills necessary to pass the AP English examination in Literature and Composition.

JOURNALISM 1 P
233000
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: None (open to sophomores)
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: g (elective)

This is a rigorous writing course that teaches the journalistic style of writing, which emphasizes editing, creating reader interest, accuracy and objectivity. Students write daily in class and as homework, create a portfolio that meets the standards of the profession. Students learn how to write for publication in newspapers, magazines, and online media, as well as earn the basics of writing for broadcast. Mastery of journalistic law and ethics are also required for successful completion of this course. Journalism 1 is a prerequisite for Journalism 2 (Desktop Publishing), the student newspaper. Both courses can be taken concurrently with approval of the instructor.

THE NOVEL P
218100
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b

Students will read contemporary, Substantial English and American novels, as well as background for historical viewpoint. In addition to the curriculum titles, students will select, with teacher guidance, additional novels for study. Students will write analytical critiques.

POPULAR AMERICAN FICTION P
219100
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b
NOT OFFERED 2007-2008

This course offers students an opportunity to explore popular American fiction of the Twentieth Century. Major emphasis through literature will improve and broaden the students knowledge of social, political and historical issues. Writing includes creative, analytical, expository, comparison, and research assignments. Works studied also lend themselves to personal experience writing response. Content is enriched through the use of film and discussion.

PUBLIC SPEAKING P
248100
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: None
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: g (elective)

In Public Speaking the student learns not only to have confidence in him or herself while speaking before an audience, the student learns to compose and to present effective speeches for a variety of situations and occasions both serious and humorous. Focus upon listening, speaking, and writing prepares the student for his/her future academically, socially and occupationally.

SCIENCE FICTION P
220100
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b

In this course, students engage in discussion and writing activities related to their reading of significant works of classic and contemporary science fiction. Through a study of the genre, students gain insight into past and current social values, even as they contemplate future social change. This course reinforces the development of critical reading, writing, and thinking skills.

SENIOR WRITING SEMINAR P
237100
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: Senior standing and a passing score on exit exam
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b

Senior Writing Seminar, an advanced course in the writing of non fiction, helps students develop their unique voices as writers. Students prepare for college and work by writing to the different essay forms: reflection, persuasion and argumentation, comparison/contrast, exposition, analysis, and research. Students are expected to complete weekly writing; engage in the writing process of drafting and revising; work in small groups on peer editing; read and respond to non-fiction writing; and refine grammar, usage, and language skills. Outside reading of student-selected non-fiction will be required.

SPORTS FICTION/NON-FICTION P
221100
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: b

This course allows students to explore a variety of sports literature (fiction/non-fiction) and review contemporary sports journalism. Along with a study of the history of sports, the course will emphasize the social, psychological, and economic issues which are generated by modern sports. Each unit culminates with creative, expository, or research writing and/or journalistic, oral, or media presentation. The use of speakers, media, film, novels, and non-fiction works enhance core-reading materials. This course is designed for students who wish to improve language skills within the context of a primary interest area.

ENGLISH RELATED COURSES

ADVANCED DRAMA P
246120
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Drama or permission of the instructor
On UC/CSU Approved Course List: f or g

Advanced Drama is a comprehensive course which offers the student sophisticated techniques to polish individual acting technique and increase self-awareness. Students will explore dramatic form, study and perform exemplary historic and contemporary dramatic literature, and perform publicly. Students will also complete a technical project, involving a specific aspect of theatrical production.

DISCUSSION AND DEBATE 2
243100
One semester: 5 credits
Prerequisites: Discussion and Debate 1

This course is an advanced course for those students interested in continuing in the field of competitive debate. (Does not satisfy an English Requirement.)

ROP JOURNALISM 2/DESKTOP PUBLISHING
234002
One year: 10 credits
Prerequisites: Journalism 1 with a grade of B or better and/or advisor approval.

Journalism 1 and 2 may be taken concurrently with the approval of the advisor.
This course publishes The Hub, the DSHS student newspaper, approximately nine times a year. In keeping with ROP requirements, this class simulates a newsroom/office environment. Students are taught on-the-job skills, emphasizing supervisor/employee relationships and interdependence with colleagues. Students must have exemplary school attendance, citizenship, journalism skills, work ethics and a commitment to excellence for admission to this course. Maturity and the ability to work independently with minimal guidance are mandatory.)