ENGLISH COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

The English sequence is intended for all students. Instruction should occur within the context of speaking, listening,
writing, and reading and includes development in the skills delineated in the essential elements (TEKS).
Course: English I
Credit: 1.0 credit
Grade Placement: 9th
Course Description: emphasizes three parts: literature, grammar, and composition. Reading and interpretation of
the literature selections are frequently used as topics for composition. Students are required to apply their knowledge of basic rules of grammar and usage in the compositions.
Course: Pre AP English I
Credit: 1.0 credit
Grade Placement: 9th
Course Description: goes beyond the English I course in both content and scope. This is done through a study of a
variety of genres by authors from all regions. Students are to achieve a high degree of competency in the basic skills of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Students will review language study, composition, and literary skills, building upon past language study and analyzing new literary selections. Five extra points will be calculated into the student’s overall GPA each semester for this class.

Course: English II
Credit: 1.0 credit
Grade Placement: 10th
Course Description: emphasizes three parts: reading, writing and grammar. Literature and composition
assignments are selected for the needs and interests of students. Students are required to apply their knowledge of
basic rules of grammar and usage in the compositions.

Course: Pre AP English II
Credit: 1.0 credit
Grade Placement: 10th
Course Description: goes beyond the English II course in both content and scope. Extensive practice, especially in
the area of writing, will aid in the development of skills and techniques. Five extra points will be calculated into the
student’s overall GPA each semester for this class.

Course: English III
Credit: 1.0 credit
Grade Placement: 11th
Course Description: emphasizes three parts: American literature, grammar, and composition, focusing on a
background in American literature. Knowledge of American literature parallels our American historical growth.
Students are required to apply their knowledge of grammar and usage in compositions dealing with literature
selections and a research paper.

Course: English IV
Credit: 1.0 credit
Grade Placement: 12th
Course Description: is designed to present a sequential and fused program in reading, writing, speaking, listening
and reasoning. A variety of traditional English literature is surveyed. Instruction concerning the development and
completion of a research paper is of particular value to senior students.

Course: English for Speakers of Other Languages I-II
Credit: 1.0 credit
Grade Placement: 9th - 12th
Course Description: is designed for the student of limited English proficiency (LEP), that is, a student whose
primary language is not English and/or who comes from a home where the primary language is other than English.
ESOL I and ESOL II may be substituted for English I and II for students with limited English proficiency.

Course: English III or IV Dual Credit Composition
Credit: 1.0 Credit
Grade Placement: 11th - 12th
Course Description: This class is offered on the high school campus as dual credit with Jacksonville College for
courses ENGL 1301 and ENGL 1302. Seven extra points will be calculated into the student’s overall GPA each
semester for this class.

English 1301 includes the development of skills and competencies in the course subject matter in reading, writing,
speaking, and critical thinking. Course activity is mainly nonfiction reading and an extensive work in the processes
of composition. Prerequisite: Placement scores as set by Jacksonville College.

English 1302 includes further training in composition and critical thinking combined with the study of drama,
poetry, and short stories for analysis of thematic approach style. Prerequisite: A grade of 70 or higher in English
1301.

English III OR IV Dual Enrollment OnRamps Option:
In the OnRamps Rhetoric classes, JHS works in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin for a university
level, dual-enrollment experience in college writing. Rhetoric is a lens that can be used to effectively analyze any
topic using well-established principles of classical argumentation. The goal of these 2 courses is to foster the ability
to analyze arguments presented by others, to research important contemporary issues, and to write sound and
effective arguments to a target audience.

Course: RHE 306: “Introduction to Reading Writing and Research”
JHS Course is English III or IV Dual
Credit: 1 credit
Grade Placement: 11th or 12th
Prerequisite: Strong grades in English I and II
Course Description: Taken during the fall semester, this college level writing course prepares students to become
more effective in analyzing and producing arguments. For this course, student success can be defined as becoming
more persuasive writers, more acute analysts, more discerning critics and more astute researchers.
Seven extra points will be calculated into the student’s overall GPA each semester for this class.

Course: RHE 309K: “The Rhetoric of American Identity: Gender, Race, Ethnicity”
JHS Course is English III or IV Dual Credit
Credit: 1 credit
Grade Placement: 11th or 12th
Prerequisite: Credit in RHE 306
Course Description: Taught in the spring semester, students will use rhetoric to study the many and varied ways
that people position themselves as individuals within American culture. In particular, students research and
examine arguments about American identity and identity formation – both personal and cultural. Students will
analyze arguments about identity along three main course threads: gender, race and ethnicity by researching a
thread of their choice more deeply with the goal of building, then narrowing their finds into a focused annotated
bibliography essay. Seven extra points will be calculated into the student’s overall GPA each semester for this
class.

Course: AP English Literature and Composition
Credit: 1 credit
Grade Placement: 12th
Prerequisite: English III
Course Description: The AP English Literature and Composition course focuses on reading, analyzing, and
writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading
and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to
provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style and themes, as well as
its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical and
argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works. The Ap English Literature and
composition course aligns to an introductory college-level literature and writing curriculum. Seven extra points will
be calculated into the student’s overall GPA each semester for this class.

Course: AP English Language and Composition
Credit: 1.0 credit
Grade Placement: 11th
Prerequisite: English II
Course Description: AP English Language and Composition is an introductory college-level composition course.
Students cultivate their understanding of writing and rhetorical arguments through reading, analyzing, and writing
texts as they explore topics like rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style.
Seven extra points will be calculated into the student’s overall GPA each semester for this class.

 

Credit: 1.0 credit
Grade Placement: 9th - 12th
Course Description: is a beginning course designed for students interested in scholastic journalism and journalistic
writing. After reviewing the significant historical events of American print journalism, students examine all aspects
of a publication’s production, from fact-gathering to graphics design. This course helps students to recognize and
use journalistic style in the writing of news, features, and editorials; they also practice techniques of copy editing,
proofreading, and headline writing. Publication’s design advertising, and editorial policies are also treated in this
course. This course is recommended as a prerequisite for one or both of the advanced journalism courses.

Course: Advanced Journalism (I - III) (Yearbook)
Credit: 1.0 credit
Grade Placement: 10th– 12th
Prerequisite: Journalism I
Course Description: Journalistic writing, editing, and graphic skills necessary to produce a high school yearbook
will be taught along with organizational skills. Must have been in either Journalism I or Photojournalism to be in the
class.

Course: Advanced Journalism (I - III) (Newspaper)
Credit: 1.0 credit
Grade Placement: 10th – 12th
Prerequisite: Journalism I (may be waived by instructor)
Course Description:   Journalistic writing, editing, and graphic skills necessary to produce “The Drumbeat,” the
high school newspaper, will be taught. Recommendation of English teachers is also advised.

Course: Photojournalism
Credit: 1.0 credit
Grade Placement: 10th - 12th
Course Description: is a course designed for students interested in the journalistic aspect of photography. The
course of study includes the development and uses of photographic skills for news and publication purposes. It
develops competency in taking, developing, and printing new photographs for use in school publications. It also
deals with the elements of photo composition, the selection, cropping, and scaling of new photos; and elements of
design and layout involving photographs. Students will be required to take an assigned number of pictures during
each six weeks and meet deadlines in order to pass the class. Taking pictures outside of class is mandatory. Some
expenses must be met by students. Projects and deadlines are mandatory.

Course: READ 180
Credit: 1.0 credit
Grade Placement: 9 – 12 (Approval Needed)
Course Description: This course emphasizes the improvement of reading development through reinforcement and
extension of reading skills.