Course Descriptions

1.0 CREDIT
Grades 11, 12

This course presents a survey of great American writers in a variety of genres and emphasizes the development of the six traits of writing as they apply to personal essay, argumentative, rhetorical, literary response, and creative pieces. In addition, students will learn to organize and communicate their ideas with clarity and style through close reading and analysis of both informative and literary texts. Major works studied include F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. Other great writers studied include Poe, Dickinson, Thoreau, Hughes, Angelou and numerous others. Students should expect to offer substantive contributions to daily class discussions.

This course is designed with increased rigor in text selection and writing expectations. Students will be well-prepared for entering FVL's dual-credit English courses in grade 12. Placement is based on successful completion of Advanced Language Arts 2 and recommendation by ALA2 or LA2 instructor. Parental permission is required for entry.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of ALA2 per instructor approval; former LA2 students can apply, given the following characteristics:

1. Room in the class requested.
2. 3.0+ cumulative GPA
3. B+ or better in the prior academic year English courses
4. Approval by English faculty with relevant knowledge
5. Parent approval given to the counselor

Required: Yes, unless in Student Services OR in AMLIT.  

Students intending on taking College Brit Lit must take either INTRES or AAMLIT during their junior year.