Language Arts Program

The need for increased and better communication among peoples of the world is our reason for presenting a strong and well-rounded language program. Learning a language enables a student to rediscover the world in terms of this language. The student experiences culture through language and literature as a source of personal enrichment and at the same time as a means of entering into and participating in another’s community. Foreign language study develops in the student a positive attitude toward speakers of other languages and brings about a more enlightened perspective and appreciation of his own American culture, as well as an awareness of each person’s responsibility to the world community. Although customs may vary due to cultural differences, the student will discover that Christian values remain the same.

English

Course: English Literature and Composition AP (ENG 550)

Prerequisite: Senior status, ENG 450, submission of the AP Form and approval of the AP instructor Description: Students are expected to leave the course with college-level writing skills, knowledge of literary terms and an ability to read prose and poetry critically. This course is intended for students who possess strong backgrounds in literature and writing. This course will follow all guidelines set forth by the AP curriculum standards and content. Students will take the AP exam in May.

Course: Senior English ACC (ENG 450) *

Prerequisite: Approval of the ACC instructor Description: The course introduces students to, and helps them to develop, the rhetorical strategies necessary for writing persuasively in academic, professional and public settings. Integral to those persuasive strategies is the use of information and methods of proof valued by specific academic and professional communities; thus, English 450 must address methods of argument and research. This course also introduces students to significant readings in the world of literature. Students will become aware of the styles, structures, vocabulary and themes of many notable writers such as Dickens, Shakespeare and Joyce. Students are expected to do close readings of poems, short stories, plays and essays. This course should be attractive to students who wish to excel and who wish to get a head start on their college careers. It can be taken for college credit through St. Louis University.

Course: Senior English (ENG 401)

Prerequisite: Senior status, ENG 101, 201and 301 and recommendation of the department Description: This course is designed to build and refine communication skills through writing and literary study as to allow for success at the college level. The study of writing is further investigated through such activities as journaling along with creative, narrative and expository essays which will culminate with a final research paper toward the end of the semester based on the Modern Language Association (MLA) format. In addition, the course reviews grammar skills needed to formulate proper and effective writing. The literature study begins with an in-depth review of literary terms with an emphasis on the analytical approach to British and world authors in several genres, including poetry. Oral assignments will be assigned and will derive from particular reading assignments. Vocabulary will also be emphasized.

Course: Senior English (ENG 400)

Prerequisite: Senior status Description: The course is designed to refine the communication skills of writing, of literature study, and of speaking so as to allow the students to be successful in college. Writing covers a variety of writing types with an accent on the process of writing, culminating in the development and writing of a formal research paper using the Modern Language Association (MLA) format. In addition, the course reviews the sixteen most frequent errors made in senior compositions with a view of improving the correctness and effectiveness of writing. The literature study begins with an in-depth review of literary terms with an emphasis on the analytical approach to the American and British authors in several genres, including poetry. Speaking assignments derived from literature round out the communication skills. Continued study of vocabulary is emphasized.

Course: Junior English Honors (ENG 350)

Prerequisite: Junior status and recommendation of the current teacher Description: Using a chronological or thematic approach to American literature, this idea-oriented course focuses on the literary roots of American writers. Literary emphasis in the course is on the reading of works by major American authors, intense class discussion of ideas and philosophical viewpoints. Students’ writing of interpretive and analytical essays with a more mature approach and mature style with clear expression is also a focus. Students will also continue to refine the research process. Special attention is given to problems of usage and mechanics that persist in the students' oral and written English. Vocabulary is also studied.

Course: Junior English (ENG 301)

Prerequisite: Junior status and recommendation of the current teacher Description: This course includes the chronological or thematic study of American literature at a pace that is conducive to the student's comprehension. Writing models provide the basis for development of various types of writing, with emphasis on the expository essay. Revising and polishing the essay relative to correct English usage is the focus of the compositional skills. Students will also work toward refining the research process. Vocabulary is also studied.

Course: Junior English (ENG 300)

Prerequisite: Junior status Description: This course emphasizes the characteristics of American literature through a chronological or thematic approach to American literature. Discussion and writing about authors' themes develop careful, critical readers and logical, investigative thinkers. This course seeks to develop composition skills of analytical and interpretive writing by emphasizing and then moving beyond the expository essay. Students will also work toward refining the research process. Vocabulary is also studied.

Course: Sophomore English Honors (ENG 250)

Prerequisite: Sophomore status and recommendation of the current teacher Description: This honors course is for highly motivated students with well-developed skills in reading and writing. The candidate should evidence a thorough understanding of the steps in the writing process, have a command of the language and be able to apply it correctly in his essays. Literary themes are addressed through the various styles of writing form the basis of the class study. Students must be willing to read and discuss challenging texts and to write about the ideas and issues about which they read. Grammar study is based on the need as demonstrated in the students' writing assignments. Vocabulary growth and expansion is also included throughout the semester.

Course: Sophomore English (ENG 201)

Prerequisite: Sophomore status and recommendation of the current teacher Description: Continued growth and refinement of skills learned in freshman English form the basis of this course. Grammar study begins with a brief overview of grammatical terms, definitions, and usage and continues to a more in-depth practice of complex sentence building strategies. Students then write and refine effective paragraphs and longer compositions. Literature study stresses themes with various literary forms. Vocabulary usage and growth are prevalent throughout the course.

Course: Sophomore English (ENG 200)

Prerequisite: Sophomore status Description: The study of literary types and composition skills form the basis of this course. The skills of analysis and critical reading are developed through the study of universal themes. The major emphasis in composition is on techniques and organizational patterns of exposition and research. Instruction in the process of writing formal essays continues throughout the year. Special attention is given to problems of usage and mechanics, which persist in students' written English. Improvement and expansion in vocabulary is stressed.

Course: Freshman English Honors (ENG 150)

Prerequisite: Freshman status Description: This course provides the challenge and enrichment for students who are avid readers and good writers with a solid background in correct English usage and mature sentence structure and style. The course begins with a review of basic grammar with an aim to developing more effective writers. The steps in the writing process are reviewed as they apply to the paragraph and then on to the development of various types of essays of differing lengths. This class includes the study of several literary types, including a Shakespearean drama. This course also initiates a vocabulary study. Depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding and willingness for involved discussion are a requirement for students enrolling in Honors English.

Course: Freshman English (ENG 101)

Prerequisite: Freshman status Description: This freshman course is usually recommended for those students who have had difficulty in English before entering Vianney, and who require a slower pace and additional review and instruction. It has as its focus literature and grammar/composition. The focus of literature is a study of the principal literary types: the short story, the essay, poetry, drama, and the novel. The focus of grammar includes the parts of speech, the parts of a sentence, the phrase, the clause and sentence structure. The compositional direction is toward the writing of an effective paragraph. This process includes an organizational outline of the paragraph, the formulation and development of the topic sentence, and the incorporation of the principles of unity, coherence, and emphasis in the paragraph. The course also initiates a vocabulary study.

Course: Freshman English (ENG 100)

Prerequisite: Freshman status Description: The ninth grade English program consists of studying various forms of literature. Reading comprehension and analytic skills are expanded through the study of literary types: short story, novel, non-fiction, poetry and drama. One Shakespearian play is included. Composition centers on thematic development and critical analysis of literature. The course also features an extensive review of grammar. Proper mechanics, usage, vocabulary and spelling are emphasized throughout the course.

English Elective

Course: Journalism/Newspaper & Yearbook Production (ENG 510)

Prerequisite: Open to all divisions. Description: Journalism/Newspaper provides an introduction to basic newspaper writing and production techniques through a hands-on approach to developing journalistic skills. Activities lead students to solve problems, exercise editorial judgment, deal tactfully with others, gather facts, and express themselves with clarity and force in composing interesting stories, strong story leads, clever photo captions, and arresting headlines. Students gain a working knowledge of newspaper design, computer word processing, and desktop publishing in producing the school newspaper, The Griffin. Class members plan the format and organization, decide on the content of the annual yearbook, write articles about school activities, organizations and clubs, write captions for pictures, and design page layouts. Students gain a working knowledge of yearbook publications, computer word processing, and desktop publishing in producing the school yearbook, Talon. In addition, the students provide photographic coverage of school events.