New
English courses have been set in place for next year to give seniors
and juniors more than one option on which course they would like to
take.
Head
of the English Department Mr. Kevin Redman said, “We’ve moved
past having every senior under the same material.”
The
selections are; Great Books American or Great Books World, War
Literature, Writing Research, History and Literature of Theatre,
Modern Literature in the 20th and 21st Century, and Advanced
Placement Literature and Composition. Each has its own curriculum but
still sticks to the English departments goals.
“What
we want is for seniors to read, write, speak, and listen
effectively,” Redman said.
Great
Books American, and Great Books World focuses on great novels
throughout history by American authors for Great Books American,
while Great Books World focuses on authors from around the world. It
is a course for students who enjoy reading great literature.
Writing
Research prepares students for college writing. The goal, according
to Redman, is to create a 15-20 page research paper. This class has
been an elective for years but is now a core English class.
War
Literature concentrates on novels and poetry from U.S. and
international conflicts throughout history.
History
and Literature of Theatre is a course which takes the idea of plays
and theatre into mind.
Modern
Literature of the 20th and 21st century deals with novels, and works
that were written in the 20th or 21st century.
Lastly
AP Literature and Composition benefits students who are accomplished
readers and writers. AP Literature and Composition is the only
English core class that remains from last year.
According
to Redman, “You cannot take the same class twice, and you have to
pass one each year.”
Redman
stated that the entire English department should be credited for the
ideas behind the new courses.
“We
all got together, brainstormed ideas, and narrowed it down to these
courses.”
These
ideas to bring this years courses into play were introduced to
Principal Don Ciampa, and former Assistant Principal Mike Flanagan
who were very enthusiastic about the idea and brought it in front of
the School Council right away.
From
there, the idea was approved and introduced to students on the day of
the course selection fair.
Redman
also commented that English electives such as Journalism, Creative
Writing, and Film Analysis will remain the same.
Thus
far students have not had many complaints about the new classes.
Senior
Billy Collins who takes War Literature this year said, “Its nice to
see a change in English classes and interesting to have more than one
option.”
Prior
to this year, seniors would have to take British Literature and read
the same books and material.