ENGLISH Course Offerings Course Credits 9th English Prep Honors English I/II English I STEM English II English II Writing, Reading & Reasoning American Literature World Literature 21st Century Communication E E AP English Language & Composition Effective Communications AP English Literature & Composition 0.5 3 dual 0.5 English 101 College Freshmen Honors World Literature 10th 11th 12th Equivalent to English Credit Business Management = English credit toward graduation requirement E = Elective credit only
Course Descriptions ENGLISH PREP 1 credit 9 Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation. This course involves a great deal of in class reading with skill instruction rising out of interesting stories and novels. The skills are repeatedly reinforced and recombined in many different pieces of literature. Writing assignments, vocabulary instruction, grammar skills, and spelling are always linked to the reading materials being enjoyed and analyzed. Critical thinking and interpretation of the written word are continually explored. This course may be repeated per consent of teacher. ENGLISH I 1 credit 9/10 This course includes the study of literature, writing, speaking, informational text, and language. The study of literature consists of the short story, novel, non fiction, and poetry emphasizing the study of literary terms. Through the practice of Six Traits of Writing and Step Up to Writing, students will develop skills in descriptive, summary, expository, and persuasive writing. A research report and formal/informal speaking experiences are also required. Recreational reading allowing for personal choice of material is encouraged. HONORS ENGLISH I/II 1 credit 9 Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation. This accelerated course combines English I and English II into a year long class for honors students. This course will cover all objectives and standards for English I as well as English II. ENGLISH II 1 credit 10/11 Prerequisite: Successful completion of both terms of English I. Reinforces and develops the reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills introduced in English I. The writing component emphasizes composition of full length essays developed according to the Six Traits of Effective Writing. Students analyze audience and purpose in order to practice summarizing, comparing/ contrasting, and persuading. Print and online sources are evaluated in research. Speech requirements include informative, demonstration, and persuasive presentations and provide guided listening practice for the audience. Poetry, short fiction, nonfiction, drama, and novels form the basis for reflection, analysis, and response to reading. Recreational reading allowing for personal choice of materials is encouraged. STEM ENGLISH II 1 credit 10 This course is required while participating in the STEM Portage Enterprise Program. WRITING, READING & REASONING 1 credit 10/11/12 Prerequisites: Successful completion of English I and teacher recommendation. This course concentrates on building reading, writing, and critical thinking. Students develop analytical reading skills of informational and literary texts. Students will write for varied audiences and purposes and work to develop ideas, voice, word choice, fluency, organization, and conventions in their writing. AMERICAN LITERATURE 1 credit 11/12 Prerequisites: Successful completion of both terms of English II or Honors English I/II. In this course, a variety of genres are explored in order to understand some of the themes, viewpoints, and conflicts unique to the American experience. Emphasis is thematic and readings are organized according to literary periods. Extensive reading, research, and writing will be required, which will include one novel and two in depth essays each term. Students will complete a research paper, an interpretive project, and speeches. ACT Test preparation and COMPASS (Madison College s entrance exam) test skills will be practiced as well as career plans explored. In addition to process pieces, students produce in class, timed writings.
WORLD LITERATURE 1 credit 11/12 Prerequisites: Successful completion of both terms of American Literature or AP English Language & Composition. Above average vocabulary and reading skills are recommended since textbooks are demanding. Excerpts from major works are read and discussed, including short stories, novels, poetry, and plays. Selected works range from the ancient to the contemporary eras and include cultures such as Ancient Greece, India, China, Europe, and Africa. Individual work includes weekly writing assignments, projects, quizzes, and exams. Other significant requirements include literary analysis, a book review, and a research paper, as well as a portfolio developed over the course of the semester and presented to the class. Reading and writing outside of class are required. 21st CENTURY COMMUNICATION (f/k/a Journalism) Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation; application process required. 1 credit (elective only) 11/12 This course is designed to introduce students to the world of journalism and the media. Students will learn about the history and ethics of journalism as well as the important role journalism plays in their lives today. There will be extensive reading and writing throughout the semester including writing due on a weekly basis. Students will be responsible for completing a final portfolio consisting of articles written during the semester and publishing their work. In addition to writing articles, students will also contribute photos and learn page layout using Adobe InDesign. Students will write a variety of articles how these topics: news, feature, column, and sports. They will also demonstrate their ability to write well under pressure, gather information independently and organize it effectively while working cooperatively with their peers. Students will develop a sense of journalistic responsibility and strive for excellence. AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION 1 credit 11/12 Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation and successful completion of English I, Honors English I/II, English II or American Literature. Advanced 9 th graders in Honors English I/II must be recommended and selected by a faculty committee for AP Language & Composition placement. It is important to consider credits you may have already earned in AP English Language and Composition, as it often overlaps with English 101. Typically, students who have completed American Literature and/or World Literature or students who opted NOT to take AP English Language and Composition can enroll in English 101. This course helps students become skilled readers of non fiction. Extensive reading and study of works written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts is required. Students will examine the expository, analytical, and argumentative writing that forms the basis of academic and professional communications. Activities include graded, timed impromptu compositions, revisions, and vocabulary studies. This course prepares students to take the highly recommended Advanced Placement (AP) exam in English Language and Composition. Preliminary reading and written response in summer required. THIS IS A PRIME CLASS STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A PRIME COURSE CONTRACT. EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS 1 credit 12 Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation. Effective Communications is the process of designing and transmitting information so that people can understand and use it effectively and efficiently. This course will teach students the established guidelines for effective communication of informational texts.. Students will also go over the job search process, as well as library and web research skills. Students will develop their critical thinking skills by identifying biased and unbiased sources, as well as identifying logical fallacies in the media. This course will have a strong emphasis on the technology and speaking skills that are necessary for the 21st century.
AP ENGLISH LITERATURE & COMPOSITION 1 credit 12 Prerequisites: Teacher recommendation and successful completion of 3 credits of English. Students preparing to enter a four year college experience will interpret and evaluate fiction including short stories, poetry, novels, and drama. Emphasis is on critical reading, vocabulary development, and writing about literature. Activities include graded, timed impromptu compositions, revision, and oral presentations. Besides developing language skills needed for college, this course prepares students to take the highly recommended Advanced Placement (AP) exam in English Literature and Composition. Preliminary reading and written response in summer required. THIS IS A PRIME CLASS STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A PRIME COURSE CONTRACT..5 credit ENGLISH 101 COLLEGE FRESHMAN ENGLISH 3 college Prerequisites: Students must meet UW Whitewater requirements of a minimum of 3.25 cum GPA or Top 25% of class. 12 It is important to consider credits you may have already earned in AP English Language and Composition, as it often overlaps with English 101. Typically, students who have completed American Literature and/or World Literature or students who opted NOT to take AP English Language and Composition can enroll in English 101. English 101 provides students with a foundation for the development of critical thinking and writing skills necessary for attaining success in college and future career. The course, the first of a two semester sequence required of all students at UW Whitewater, is a central component of the college s General Education program. As such, the class offers thoughtful engagement with narrative literature (novels and short stories), nonfiction prose, poetry, drama, and other historical and contemporary texts. The writing component of this course will include formal writing in a variety of modes and formats such as expository essays, narrative, descriptive, and reflective essays, persuasive arguments and essay exams. Students choicing this course must take Honors World Literature. THIS IS A PRIME CLASS STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A PRIME COURSE CONTRACT. Students must complete a contract with UW Whitewater including signature of a parent and the English 101 instructor. Anthologies are rented from UWW, but several paperbacks must be obtained by individual students. FERPA laws regarding Student Privacy apply. Students earning a C will earn 3 dual credits for UW Whitewater s English 101 class. Students are responsible for the cost of tuition which is approximately $300 per course (based on current UWW tuition rates). NOTE: English 101 will transfer to UW Madison and colleges outside of Wisconsin as elective credit and will not fulfill its first level English course. With that said, students need amount of elective credits in order to graduate from college, so these credits would not be a waste and would really help the student be successful in UW Madison s first level English course. To verify that any college course credit will transfer to a particular UW College System campus, go to UW Help s Transfer Information System website at http://tis.uwsa.edu. HONORS WORLD LITERATURE.5 credit 12 Prerequisites: Enrollment in English 101 (UW Whitewater) course. This course is a combination of both semesters of the traditional World Literature course currently offered. Excerpts from major works are read and discussed, including short stories, novels, poetry, and plays. Selected works range from the ancient to the contemporary eras and include cultures such as Ancient Greece, India, China, Europe, and Africa. Individual work includes weekly writing assignments, projects, quizzes, and exams. Other significant requirements include literary analysis, a book review, and a research paper, as well as a portfolio developed over the course of the semester and presented to the class. Reading and writing outside of class are required.
This business class satisfies an English credit from Portage High School BUT is not considered a college admission English. BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 1 credit 11/12 Prerequisites: Microsoft Office Academy (f/k/a Business Technologies) or Advanced Microsoft Academy (f/k/a Advanced Business Technologies) Are you interested in a career in business or management? This course will incorporate individual and group projects, professional presentations, case studies, and hands on learning. Various topics that will be covered in this course include Business Communications, Business Ethics, Corporate Presentations, Business and Global Etiquette, Email Netiquette, Business Trip and Event Planning, Managing Employees, Global Business, and Technology Tools.
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