Bedford North Lawrence High School

ENGLISH

ENGLISH FOR FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES 

31   ENGLISH 9

Grade 9

Two Trimesters, 2 Credits

English 9, an integrated English course based on Indiana’s Academic Standards for English/Language Arts in Grade 9 and the Common Core State Standards for English/Language Arts, is a study of language, literature, composition, and oral communication with a focus on exploring a wide-variety of genres and their elements. Students use literary interpretation, analysis, comparisons, and evaluation to read and respond to representative works of historical or cultural significance appropriate for Grade 9 in classic and contemporary literature balanced with nonfiction. Students write responses to literature, compositions, business letters, and other grade appropriate assignments. Students deliver grade appropriate oral presentations and access, analyze, and evaluate online information. 

32 ENGLISH 9 Honors

Grade Level 9  

Term:2 trimesters (2 credits) 

PREREQUISITE:  Students qualify for Honors English through grades and teacher recommendation.  Students must have passed 8th grade English with a grade of “B” or better.   As students will be expected to work independently outside of the classroom, they should possess a strong work ethic and excellent reading and writing skills.  

Honors English 9, an integrated English course based on Indiana’s Academic Standards for English/Language Arts in Grade 9 and the Common Core State Standards, is a study of language, literature, composition, and oral communication with a focus on exploring a wide-variety of genres and their elements. Students use literary interpretation, analysis, comparisons, and evaluation to read and respond to representative works of historical or cultural significance appropriate for Grade 9 in classic and contemporary literature balanced with nonfiction. Students will write narrative, argumentative and informative research-based essays, analysis essays, and will create technical documents and presentations. Students will write responses to literature and non-fiction texts, as well as complete other grade appropriate assignments. Honors English 9 serves as the foundation for a further understanding and appreciation of literature.  This course is designed to prepare students for Advanced Placement and ACP/Dual Credit English courses by providing students with sophisticated texts, focusing on higher-order questions and critical thinking.  

33   ENGLISH 10

Grade 10

Two Trimesters, 2 Credits

English 10, an integrated English course based on Indiana’s Academic Standards for English/Language Arts in Grade 10 and the Common Core State Standards for English/Language Arts, is a study of language, literature, composition, and oral communication with a focus on exploring universal themes across a wide variety of genres. Students use literary interpretation, analysis, comparisons, and evaluation to read and respond to representative works of historical or cultural significance appropriate for Grade 10 in classic and contemporary literature balanced with nonfiction. Students write short stories, responses to literature, expository and persuasive compositions, research reports, business letters, and technical documents. Students deliver grade-appropriate oral presentations and access, analyze, and evaluate online information.

34 ENGLISH 10 Honors  

Grade Level 10 Term: 2 Trimesters (2 credits) 

PREREQUISITE:   Students qualify for Honors English 10 through grades and teacher recommendation.  Students must have passed 9th grade English with a grade of “B” or better.  As students will be expected to work independently outside of the classroom, they should possess a strong work ethic and excellent reading and writing skills.  

Honors English 10, an integrated English course based on Indiana’s Academic Standards for English/Language Arts in Grade 10 and the Common Core State Standards for English/Language Arts, is a study of language, literature, composition, and oral communication with a focus on further developing and refining proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, critical and creative thinking, and study and self-management skills. Students will identify and employ various elements of effective writing with special emphasis on literary analysis and research and the use of textual evidence to support assertions.  Students use literary interpretation, analysis, comparisons, and evaluation to read and respond to representative works of historical or cultural significance appropriate for Grade 10 in classic and contemporary literature balanced with nonfiction. Students will write narrative, argumentative and informative research-based essays, analysis essays, and will create technical documents and presentations. Students will sharpen their communication skills verbally through group projects and individual presentations.  Honors English 10 serves as a preparation for  Advanced Placement and ACP/Dual Credit English courses by providing students with sophisticated texts, focusing on the development of higher-level and critical thinking skills.  

ENGLISH FOR JUNIORS & SENIORS

All English courses are open to all students above the Junior level unless a special prerequisite is stated in the course description or a special grade level is designed.

44   ENGLISH LITERATURE 

Grade 12

One Trimester, 1 Credit

This course includes the study of major British authors from the Anglo-Saxon period through the Restoration and the Eighteenth Century.  We will explore Beowulf, The Canterbury Tales, A Knight’s Tale, King Arthur, Canto 34 from The Inferno of Dante, Macbeth, Paradise Lost, and Gulliver’s Travels as well as other selected literature.  Writing, classroom discussion activities, music videos, projects, poetry, and reviewing current movies will provide opportunities for students to respond to, compare, and contrast literature both analytically and reflectively.

45   CREATIVE WRITING

Grade 12

One Trimester, 1 Credit

Creative Writing is designed to equip students with imaginative writing skills through prescribed lessons in writing poems, stories, plays, and essays. Students will read and analyze the works of professional writers. Students will also be required to complete a series of poems, stories, and projects which are a requirement of the course. These projects substitute for a term paper or a final examination. Course work also includes lessons in grammar and punctuation when needed. Students should be willing to take part in discussions and share their writing orally with other class members.

47   EXPOSITORY WRITING

Grade 12

One Trimester, 1 Credit

This REMEDIAL COURSE is designed for upper class students with a marked deficiency in writing skills. It is intended for students who do not plan to further their formal education after high school. Class work consists of daily reading and writing activities, sentence-combining exercises, usage, and writing assignments using basic organizational patterns. 

49   COMPOSITION

Grade 12

One Trimester, 1 Credit

Composition is a college-preparatory course focusing on advanced writing skills. Students will primarily practice and improve academic essay writing, including:  expository, persuasive, and narrative styles. Students will learn to synthesize sources, and use MLA citation and format. Final Grades in the course are determined by a comprehensive portfolio of final drafts.

55H English Composition/English 101 VU

Grades 11-12

One Trimester, 1 Credit

(Course Description from Vincennes University)

English Composition 1 is a college level course in critical reading and writing designed to help students develop their ability to think critically, to organize their thoughts, and to express ideas clearly and effectively. The course will focus on the various modes of expository writing, such as process, description, narration, comparison, cause/effect, and analysis, and give significant focus to argumentation. Students will be introduced to documentation. Numerous in-class assignments are required in addition to extended essays written outside of class. Required of all students. This is a transferIN course. 3 class hours.

57H English Comp 2 ENGL 102 VU

Grades 11-12

One Trimester, 1 Credit

3 Hours

Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or better in ENGL 101; and a grade of C or better in READ 011, or SAT Reading score of 420 or greater, or appropriate placement test scores.

A continued development of writing skills introduced in ENGL 101. Students learn how to conduct research and how to base their writing on research. In addition to shorter documented papers, all students are required to write a longer investigative paper that must be fully documented according to MLA standards. This course is a transferIN course. 3 class hours.

58H VU LITR 100: Introduction to Literature
Grades 11-12
One Trimester, 1 Credit
3 Hours

LITR 100 is an introduction to literature and to three major genres: fiction, poetry, and drama. Some courses focus on time and place (such as LITR 223 and LITR 225) while LITR 100 will draw from a diversity of works written in English from across the world in order to help students better learn to read imaginative texts closely and with an eye towards the less obvious. The first unit includes some of the greatest modern short fiction English has to offer. Next comes a study of at least two plays (Shakespeare could make an appearance here) before the trimester ends with a close look at (mostly) modern poetry. In there somewhere, students will read two 20^th or 21^st century novels. The final grade rests upon several exams and out-of-class essays. There will also be a couple of announced quizzes, some in-class writing, and a presentation of the final paper. Emphasis is placed on the ability to read critically and gain an appreciation for literature (because literature does matter to us as citizens in community with others and as capable, thinking individuals intent on making the best of this life). This course is a transferIN course. 3 hours.

64   BIBLE LITERATURE

Grade 12

One Trimester, 1 Credit

This course will concentrate on a study of the writings of the Hebrews before and after the birth of Christ. The literary craftsmanship of passages from the Bible (the Bible as literature) and the relationship of a variety of stories, novels, poems, and plays to the Bible (the Bible in literature) will be studied. Oral presentations, formal essays, and a critical paper are required. A semester project will demonstrate an understanding of themes and issues presented in class. Students are encouraged to explore ways in which the Bible has influenced art, music, philosophy and law. Students are also encouraged to discuss and reflect on contemporary issues that relate to classical Biblical stories.

68   AMERICAN LITERATURE 

Grade 12

One Trimester, 1 Credit

In this course, students will study American Literature from its beginnings to present. Students will read short stories, essays, poems, novels depicting the evolution of American writing.  Selected authors will be studied in depth with a focus on different styles, techniques, themes, literary terms, and literary elements.  There will be instruction and practice in a comprehensive range of language skills such as grammar, usage, and mechanics, with emphasis on writing and on integrating language skills and writing with the literature.  Grades will be derived from tests, essays, and other varied assignments. 

69  GENRES: AMERICAN FOLK LITERATURE

Grade 12

One Trimester, 1 Credit

Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation. 

This course is designed for students with marked deficiencies in reading and writing skills and is intended for students who do not plan to further their formal education after high school. It will cover the folk literature and tradition of America. Course work consists of daily reading and writing activities, lectures, discussions, and short research and writing projects.  Students will give multiple oral presentations.

70   INDIANA LITERATURE

Grade 12

One Trimester, 1 Credit

This course involves literature produced by writers who were born in or lived in Indiana.  This is a study of representative works of authors of various periods with a concentration on Golden Age Writers.  The majority of the assessments for this class will be in essay form.  There is a required major project, oral presentations, analytical essays, and the reading of one complete novel and excerpts from others.

76   CLASSICAL LITERATURE (Mythology)

Grade 12

One Trimester, 1 Credit

Classical Literature surveys Greek and Roman literature, including authors from Homer to Virgil. This course focuses 

on mythology as literature and examines characters, events, and plots as the basic material of Western creative imagination. Influences of classical literary patterns, themes and conventions on modern literature are also explored. Requirements include reading, oral discussion, testing, reporting, and writing creatively. Two written projects are required in this course.

79 SHORT STORIES

Grade 12

One Trimester, 1 Credit

This course is designed for students who need to improve comprehension and writing skills. The Short Stories course focuses on the relationships between the form and meanings in the genre. Students explore the distinct features of the short story; for example, that it is tightly focused, narrative, and fictional and that it has setting, conflict, climax, and resolution. Issues of audience, purpose, and historical development are also considered. Because the short story is a comparatively recent innovation, modernist and contemporary themes are also emphasized. Students are given opportunities to express their knowledge of this genre and its content through creative and analytical writing, class discussion, and other speaking experiences. 

80 SPEECH

Grades 11-12

*Available for 10th-grade students with teacher recommendation and approval.  English 10A and 10B will still be required for all students taking Speech in grade 10.

One Trimester, 1 Credit

Speech is a course focusing on the application of oral communication skills.  Students will write and give multiple speeches including reflective, informative, persuasive, impromptu, and special occasion types.  Practice and collaboration with classmates will help students cope with fear of public speaking.  Strong emphasis will be placed on students’ ability to write organized outlines and to utilize technology for both research and presentations.

81  SPEECH CMST 101 USI

Grades 11-12

One Trimester, 1 Credit

Recommended Prerequisite: 80 Speech

(Course Description from the University of Southern Indiana)

This course is an introduction to speech communication, designed to acquaint students with the fundamental techniques and basic principles of public speaking. Directed to those students with no prior experience or training in public speaking, this course provides you an opportunity to develop skills in speaking through frequent practice and graded feedback.  This course is divided into units that emphasize different aspects of public speaking. Assignments include readings to acquaint you with important principles of speech and encourage you to think critically about the world around you, graded speaking performances to give you practice in mastering the techniques you study, exams, and oral and written exercises to aid you in developing a better understanding of the fundamental processes of speech.

96 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION (ADVANCED PLACEMENT AND Comp 101 and 102 through VU)

Grades 11-12

Two Trimesters, 2 Credits

6 Credit Hours

The focus of this course is learning to analyze the rhetoric used by writers and speakers, and to create successful arguments synthesizing academic sources with the student’s personal knowledge and experiences.  The content and presentation will model an entry level college composition course.  Reading emphasis is on non-fiction.  The writing process will include pre-writing, exercises, multiple drafts, peer reviews as well as instructor evaluation.  In this class there is emphasis on analyzing and creating arguments using primary and secondary sources and knowing how to cite the sources using accepted conventions.

94 American Literature II LITR223 VU

Grade 11-12

One Trimester One Credit

3 Credit Hours

American Literature II* includes the study of the poets and prose writers of American Literature beginning approximately with Emily Dickinson and continuing through the modern era. Other writers included in the course include, but are not limited to, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemmingway, William Faulkner, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Robert Frost, and a number of modern writers. Most often the reading focuses on poetry, short stories, and novels, but an occasional non-fiction text may be included as well. The final grade consists of in-class exams, at least one essay, two short presentations, and a few small homework assignments. We will discuss literature on a daily basis in class. Students can expect to improve their critical thinking skills as well as their writing skills, but literature - reading it, communicating about it, exploring how people shape it and how it shapes the lived human experience – that is the primary objective. This course is a transferIN course. 3 class hours.

95 English Literature II LITR225 VU

Grade 11-12

One Trimester One Credit

3 Credit Hours

Survey of English Literature II* involves the study of British poets and prose writers emphasizing the Romantic, Victorian, and modern periods. Authors may include, but are not limited to, William Wordsworth, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Charles Dickens, George Orwell, Margaret Atwood, and Zadie Smith. The focus will be on poems early in the course with the transition to short stories about midway through the trimester. Students will also read and discuss one novel from each period. The final grade will consist of three essays, two exams, two short presentations, and a few daily, in-class writing activities. Literature will be the topic of discussion each day in class. Students can expect to improve their critical thinking skills as well as their writing skills, but literature - reading it, communicating about it, exploring how people shape it and how it shapes the lived human experience – that is the primary objective. 3 class hours.

48 Creative Writing ENGL202 VU

Grade 11-12

One Trimester One Credit 

This course will be a deep study of the craft of fiction. Students will learn about characterization, plotting, pacing, world building, and the elements that make up fiction that leaves an impact. Students will learn how to read as a writer and will examine the strategies that effective authors utilize to make their work stand out. A variety of creative forms will be examined including excerpts of novels, short stories, flash fiction, and personal essays. Texts will also include writers on writing in order to examine the varied (and at times, conflicting) advice writers have shared with others. The class will participate in writers’ workshops in order to give constructive feedback. Students will learn the process of drafting and revision and will continue to improve their drafts over the course of the trimester. 

Students will keep a daily writing journal which will serve as diary, idea log, and a place to store creative writing exercises.

1084 Digital Media

Grade 11-12

One Trimester One Credit

Digital Media, a course based on the Indiana Academic Standards for English/Language Arts and Media Literacy Standards, is a study of media literacy and production skills. This course examines the impact of informational, narrative, and persuasive media on everyday life. This course will focus on changes in media and includes practice in broadcast journalism, audio/visual storytelling, multimedia storytelling, as well as different platforms such as online and social media. Students will analyze local, national, and global media through the lens of law, ethics, and social responsibility. Students use course content to become knowledgeable consumers and producers of media. Students complete a project, such as a multi-media advertising campaign for a generic product or idea or a multi-media proposal of an action plan to implement a project or service, which demonstrates knowledge, application, and writing progress in the digital media course content.