Departments
English
The University High School English Department
Literature is an art form in which people tell stories in order to make sense of the human condition.
Strengths:
- The English department places great importance on the value of writing instruction. Teachers provide writers’ workshop experiences. Students choose self-directed topics for writing and research and have the opportunity to express originality and uniqueness in writing.
- The English department places importance on the value of literature as art and human communication.
- English classes emphasize small group investigation of literature and a hands-on, interactive learning environment.
- Teachers integrate literature selections with fine arts and social studies.
- The English teachers have a clear view of the curriculum and they share common expectations.
Courses offered:
AP English Language
AP English Literature
American Literature
British Literature
Creative Writing: Drama
Creative Writing: Fiction
Creative Writing: Poetry
Etymology
Great Books
Introduction to Creative Writing
Language and Literature
Public Speaking & Communication
Understanding Mass Media
January Term Courses:
American Voices
Beat Poets
The Bible as Literature
Decoding Da Vinci
Feminist Framework
Journalism
Literature & Film
Myth and the Media
The New Yorker Magazine
Research Scholars Program
Science Fiction and Gender
Storytelling
Click here for course descriptions
Vision Statement of the University High School English Department
Literature is an art form in which people tell stories to make sense of the human condition. These stories communicate struggles within a changing world that connect us to a universal human voice. Through the identification, recognition and acceptance of the ongoing human quest for greater understanding, literature students gain a greater comprehension of what it means to be human and to be a part of the continuum of humanity.Using a process approach in developing writing skills, students refine their skills in developing, organizing, revising and polishing ideas to communicate clearly with a specific audience for a specific purpose. Further, they develop skills to apply the conventions of standard edited English grammar, word choice and syntax. Students study, analyze, and utilize literary techniques and stylistic elements. Students express ideas in written form, peer group presentations and speeches. The English courses provide opportunities for students to recognize their learning styles and to pursue academic challenges and interests in the greater community. These opportunities help students become self-motivated learners who value the acquisition of knowledge and enrichment through creative academic exploration and research. The English teachers design formats for research on a wide range of topics through collaborative learning; peer revision and editing; and print and electronic sources. Instructors emphasize school-wide use of technology and consistent formats.
The University High School English department offers students personalized opportunities to explore and appreciate various genres in language, literature, oral expression and composition. Students explore universal ideas such as religious, ethnic and cultural diversity to develop richer understandings of the ways in which human beings interact with and conceptualize their world. Through literature, writing and story telling, students become sensitive to different types of people and circumstances. Discussions and expressive writing encourage students to identify and develop their moral and ethical beliefs and to compare their concepts with others who have different perspectives.