Clearview Regional High School > Departments

This course is designed to serve as an introduction to literature and its various genres. The exploration of human relationships is the common theme that students will encounter. Emphasis will be placed on thematic units that will include the study of myths, epics, poetry, short stories, novels, and essays. Reading comprehension skills will be fostered as well. Students will complete a literary research paper. Summer reading may be a requirement.

Advanced English I
Length: Year
Grade Level: 9 Credits: 5
This course is designed to support students as they refine critical reading, writing and thinking skills. This course will expose students to various compositional techniques through the exploration of human relationships common in literature. Emphasis will be placed on thematic units that will include the study of myths, epics, poetry, short stories, novels, and essays. Reading comprehension skills will be fostered as well. Students will complete a literary research paper. Summer reading is a requirement.

Honors English I
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and prior academic achievement in Eighth Grade English.

This course is designed to serve the motivated and academically excellent student. This is a writing intensive course that will focus on independent assignments in addition to the regular course work. The exploration of human relationships is the common theme that students will encounter. Emphasis will be placed on thematic units that will include the study of myths, epics, poetry, short stories, novels, and essays. Reading comprehension skills will be fostered as well. Students will complete a literary research paper. Summer reading is a requirement.

English II
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10

English 10 is an international literature course designed to expose students to the global community through the exploration of literature from around the world. Students will study poetry, short fiction, novels, and drama, while tracing the evolution of certain themes common to the human condition. This course has a strong concentration in writing and continues to develop an appreciation for literary study. A literary research paper is a requirement of the course. Summer reading may be a requirement.

Advanced English II
Length: Year
Grade Level: 10 Credits: 5
This course is designed to support students as they refine critical reading, writing and thinking skills. English II is an international literature course designed to expose students to the global community through the exploration of literature around the world. Students will study poetry, short fiction, novels, and drama, while tracing the evolution of certain themes common to the human condition. This course has a strong concentration in writing and continues to develop an appreciation of literary study. A literary research paper is a requirement of the course. Summer reading is a requirement.

Honors English II
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and prior academic achievement in Ninth Grade English.

English 10 Honors is an international course designed to expose students to the global community through the exploration of literature from around the world. Students will study poetry, short fiction, novels, and drama while tracing the evolution of certain themes common to the human condition. Students are expected to read at least five selected independent novels during the year. It is a writing intensive course that will prepare students for Advanced Placement classes. This course has a strong concentration in writing and continues to develop an appreciation for literary study. A literary research paper is a requirement of the course. Summer reading is a requirement.

English III
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 11

This course of study is designed to provide an appreciation and understanding of the American experience through exploration of American literature. Various thematic units will present different perspectives on The American Dream, focusing on economic/racial/socio-political experiences. This writing intensive course addresses verbal development and critical thinking skills. Research papers and group projects are completed during this course. Summer reading may be a requirement.

Advanced English III
Length: Year
Grade Level: 10 Credits: 5
This course is designed to support students as they refine critical reading, writing, and thinking skills. Students may examine writing and reading through a seminar approach in this course. Students will explore the American experience through an exploration of American Literature. Various thematic units will present different perspectives on The American Dream, focusing on economic/racial/ socio-political experiences. This writing intensive course addresses verbal development, research composition and group projects are completed during this course. SAT preparation is integrated authentically. Summer reading is a requirement.

Honors English III
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 11
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and prior academic achievement in English courses.

This course of study is designed to provide an appreciation and understanding of the American experience through exploration of American literature. Various thematic units will present different perspectives on The American Dream, focusing on economic/racial/socio-political experiences. Students are expected to complete a mini-mum of five independent texts, in addition to the regular course work. Research papers and group projects are completed during this course. Summer reading is a requirement.

English IV
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 12

This course is designed to foster an understanding of the timeless nature of literary themes common to the literature of the British Isles. Students will begin their journeys with the study of Beowulf, and they will progress through literary history as they study Chaucer, Shakespeare, Donne, Milton, Shelley, and many others. Students will read poetry, compose numerous papers in response to literature, and work on group projects. Summer reading may be a course requirement.

Advanced English IV

Length: Year
Grade Level: 12 Credits: 5
This course is designed to support students as they refine critical reading, writing, and thinking skills. Students will examine writing and reading through a seminar approach where students focus on the development of a writing portfolio. Students will explore themes common to the literature of the British Isles. Students will progress through literary history as they study Chaucer, Donne, Shakespeare, Milton, Shelley and many others. Students will be required to address literary theory in their compositions as they work collaboratively. Summer reading is a course requirement.

Honors English IV
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 12
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and prior academic achievement in English courses.

This course is designed to support students as they refine critical reading, writing, and thinking skills. Students will examine writing and reading through a seminar approach where students focus on the development of a writing portfolio. Students will explore themes common to the literature of the British Isles. Students will be expected to read independently while examining the ways in which authors, poets, dramatists and essayists convey their thoughts on the nature of man. Students will progress through literary history as they study Chaucer, Shakespeare, Donne, Milton, Shelley and many others. Students will be required to address literary theory in their compositions as they work collaboratively. Students will be expected to read independently while examining the ways in which authors, poets, dramatists, and essayists convey their thoughts on the nature of man. Summer reading is a course requirement.

Advanced Placement Language & Composition
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and prior academic achievement in English courses.

Advanced Placement English 11 is a course designed for academically excellent students. This course, taught in seminar format, is writing intensive and prepares students to write in a variety of forms on different subjects. It also emphasizes analytical reading of various texts and responding to them through complex and skilled prose. This course also prepares students to take the Advanced Placement English Language and Composition Exam. All students enrolled in this class are encouraged to take this exam. Summer reading is a requirement.

Advanced Placement Literature & Composition
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Teacher recommendation and prior academic achievement in English courses.

This course is designed for academically excellent students. This course is designed to foster scholarly study of litera-ture with an emphasis on literary analysis, evaluation, and theoretical study through compositional development. This is a challenging course designed to fully engage students in literary scholarship. At least 10 independently chosen texts will be read, in addition to the study of poetry and short fiction. This course also prepares students to take the Advanced Placement Literature and Composition Exam. All students enrolled in this class are encouraged to take this exam. Summer reading is a requirement.

Journalism
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: English teacher recommendation

This class is the foundation for the Journalism program. This year-long course is open to students in grades 9 through 12. Students will be introduced to journalistic writing skills, desktop publishing, broadcast journalism, creative writing for the literary magazine, and yearbook design and layout. Students taking this class should have a strong interest in a variety of writing styles, basic key-boarding skills, enjoy working in cooperative groups and enjoy the challenge of public speaking. Students will learn how to utilize Adobe In Design CS4 and Photoshop 6.0.

Journalism Lab
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: Journalism and teacher recommendation

This class builds on the skills started in Journalism I. Students must be skilled in word processing and desktop publishing since this class will publish the high school newspaper. After school meetings will be required at deadline times. Additionally, students will build a personal portfolio, containing a variety of journalistic pieces as well as creative works including poetry, short stories, one act plays, and biography or autobiography.

Writer’s Workshop
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 11, 12

This course will provide students with opportunities to sharpen their skills in writing. Writer’s Workshop, not only allows students to improve their skills, it introduces them to rhetorical theory and current issues facing composition today. Students will write in a variety of genres, including but not limited to fiction, poetry, memoir, narrative, and exposition. Students will also be trained as peer coaches and exposed to compositional pedagogy. The role of technology in writing will be explored and evaluated.

Contemporary Social Drama I
This course meets the state requirements for visual and performing arts.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 9, 10, 11, 12

This elective course will afford students the opportunity to study plays and performance works by playwrights from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. In an effort to understand the unique qualities of each play, students will examine the social implications of various readings. Additionally, students will also develop and perform original issue-oriented dramatic material to provide theatrical diversity models, which encourage awareness and acceptance among fellow students. A community outreach aspect of the course will address sensitive subjects and examine issues of particular relevance to the school community including, but not limited to: hate crimes, post 9/11 fears, gender bias, and cultural and social privilege. Summer reading may be a requirement.

Contemporary Social Drama II
This course meets the state requirements for visual and performing arts.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisites: Successful completion of Contemporary Social Drama I or teacher recommendation.

This elective course is a continuation of Contemporary Social Drama I with a focus on independent development of plays that reflect the skills and proficiencies introduced in Contemporary Social Drama I. Students will develop and coordinate community outreach programs that bring the theater alive with dramatic interpretations of current issues. Students will read contemporary plays and reviews that address sensitive subjects, while studying the con-ventions of drama. Students will perform dramatic mono-logues and skits, many of which will be composed by the students in seminars provided for dramatic composition. Additionally, students will examine issues of particular relevance to the school community including, but not limited to: hate crimes, post 9/11 fears, gender bias, cultural and social privilege and questions about identity.

Poetry Workshop

Length: Year Credits: 5
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

This elective course will engage students in a thoughtful study of poetry. Students will read, interpret, analyze and write creatively in response to poetry composed from various literary and historical movements. This course is designed to provide students with various opportunities to explore the ways in which poetry reveals elements of the human condition. Poetry Workshop supports the development of collaborative learning groups where students work closely with their peers to understand the ways in which voice, tone and dramatic interpretation of poetry assist in the development of themes found in various types of poems. Students will immerse themselves in the study of poetic forms and devices while compiling a writing portfolio. Students will continue to enhance their skills in close critical reading, analysis and discussion - both in oral and written form. Maturity in the organization and presentation of work will be expected.

Humanitarian Studies
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12

This elective course examines innate human rights through an exploration of literature, poetry, philosophy and film. This multifaceted course will afford students the opportunity to develop a global awareness of crimes committed against humanity in an effort to promote social awareness and community activism. Students will examine the ways in which diversity and cultural studies develop social skills necessary to diffuse prejudice and discrimination. Students will participate in school and community events that will provide authentic real-world experiences that support social research and global awareness. Frequent opportunities to debate, discuss, reflect, and write for various audiences will foster 21st Century problem solving skills. Group and individual projects will be required as students investigate and study ways to approach national and global issues including, but not limited to poverty, discrimination, genocide, and inequitable educational opportunities.

Students in Grade 12 may select Shakespeare I or Shakespeare II to replace their English IV requirement for graduation. These courses may also be taken as an elective.

*Shakespearean Studies I

This course meets the state requirements for visual and performing arts.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade Level: 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite: English teacher recommendation

This course invites eleventh and twelfth grade students who enjoy reading, writing, research, and discussion to immerse themselves in the works of William Shakespeare. Those who hate The Bard’s works are also invited to study the life, times, and works of Shakespeare through a variety of lenses. Four plays and several sonnets will be examined as works of poetry, dramatic pieces, works of social commentary, works of complex literary structure, early psychological works, and more. The course culminates in a year-long project designed to introduce Shakespeare to young, adult, or reluctant students. This course is designed to challenge conventional beliefs, deconstruct the myth of Shakespeare, and celebrate the works of the world’s greatest living playwright (who just happens to have been dead for four centuries). There will be a summer assignment.

*Shakespearean Studies II
This course meets the state requirements for visual and performing arts.
Length: Year Credits: 5
Grade level: 11, 12
Prerequisite: Shakespearean Readings I or teacher recommendation, administrative approval, and portfolio of prior work on Shakespearean drama/poetry.

This course is not simply a continuation of Shakespearean Reading I; it will involve independent and group study on Shakespeare’s more complex plays, as well as intensive written analyses of Shakespearean criticism. Students will examine the history behind history plays, consider flaws in characters and plots, and compose original theatrical monologues and soliloquies. Shakespearean Studies II addresses the conventions of Elizabethan performance so that students can become acclimated to the stage. The course culminates in a year-long independent study project, and is ideal for students who plan further study in English, Drama, or other humanities. There will be a summer reading assignment.

Department Supervisor Tracy Matozzo

Department Supervisor
Tracy Matozzo