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English Electives:

In an effort to address the Core Curriculum Content Standards in Visual & Performing Arts and Language
Arts Literacy, the English Department offers a variety of semester course electives. If selecting from the
list below—remember that they are semester courses, therefore requiring two (2) to be selected:

Course #
Course Name
10-12 2.5
164 Sports Literature Grade Credits

This course will focus on the relationship of sports to life as seen through the eyes of the finest
contemporary and classics such as William Wordsworth, James Dickey, John Updike, Lilian Morrison,
and Chaim Potok. The course will explore and celebrate the human side of athletic competition, not
sports statistics. Students will analyze short stories, poems, essays and autobiographies. Activities may
include field trips and guest speakers from the news media and the sports world.

Course #
Course Name
10-12 5
165 Creative Writing Grade Credits

This full-year course combines two half year courses (this course and 173 Advanced Creative Writing)
and will include opportunities for reading the works of professional writers and modeling several different
genres. Students will compose poetry, short fiction, personal narrative, and dramatic dialogue. Students
will practice revision and peer editing. Publishing and contest opportunities will be presented. A variety
of prompts will be used. Students will work with one or more anthologies. Students will further explore
the genres of poetry, playwriting, and fictional and non-fictional prose. A greater emphasis will be placed
on independent work, publishing, and revision. Students will be required to enter competitive writing
contests and to attempt to get their writing published. Students will also assume more editing
responsibilities for their own work and their classmates’ work and will write multiple revisions.

Course #
Course Name
166 Communication Arts Grade Credits
10-12 2.5

This course is designed to develop effective non-print communication skills through the study of the
elements of communication, public speaking, and the performing arts. A wide range of activities will
provide practice in critical thinking, listening, receiving and interpreting messages, gathering ideas, and
choosing appropriate forms of expression. Individual and group activities will include delivering a formal
speech, conducting a meeting, interviewing, dramatic presentations, and improvisations. Active
participation in all areas is required.

Course #
Course Name
10-12 2.5
167 Debate Grade Credits

This course will foster oral communication activities and enhance research and reasoning skills through
participation in different types of debates. You will learn about the various types of debate formats, but
the course will focus on the Lincoln-Douglass style. Participation in all activities is required.

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