The following chart shows the course sequence of required and elective courses for English credit. All required course selections are included.

Course Descriptions:

COMPOSITION 9
One year, two credits
This course is required of all 9th grade students who elect not to take *AP Prep Composition 9. It is a writing intensive course that provides specific instruction in a variety of persuasive and expository modes while giving the students a foundation in conventions and research skills. Specific attention will be given to grammar and paragraph and essay structure.

*AP PREP COMPOSITION 9
One year, two credits
This course is designed to help students prepare for the demands and rigor of senior Advanced Placement Literature and
Composition. The course is designed for highly motivated and exemplary freshmen reading significantly above grade level, and
who have mastered five paragraph expository compositions. This is a writing intensive course that provides advanced instruction in persuasion and exposition while giving the students a foundation in conventions and research skills. The primary text is The Prentice Hall Reader.

WORLD STUDIES
One year, two credits
This course is required for all sophomores not taking *AP Prep World Studies English. This course will be closely integrated with the World Studies course offered through the Social Studies Department. This is a writing intensive course that will build on the skills developed in Composition 9. Specific instruction will be given in a variety of persuasive and expository modes, grammar, and research skills. Class readings will focus on the social issues of various cultures throughout the world.

*AP PREP WORLD STUDIES
One year, two credits
The Advanced Placement Prep classes are to help prepare students for the demands and rigor of advanced Placement courses. This course is designed for more mature and independent sophomores who read and write significantly above grade level. Students are expected to devote significant time outside of class to meet course requirements and expectations. This course will be closely integrated with the *AP Prep World Studies course offered through the Social Studies Department. It will further explore the major literary works from the regions discussed in the social studies curriculum in their social, historical, and cultural contexts while analyzing these works as literature in their own right. The primary text is World Literature by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. Supplemental works include, Things Fall Apart, Almost a Woman, Angela’s Ashes, and One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. This is a writing intensive course that includes instruction in expository, persuasive, and literary analysis papers in addition to research projects.

AMERICAN STUDIES
One year, two credits
This course is required of all juniors not taking *AP Prep American Studies English. The course will be closely integrated with
the American Studies course offered through the Social Studies Department. The primary text will be Elements of Literature:
Literature of the United States with Literature from the Americans by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.

*AP PREP AMERICAN STUDIES
One year, two credits
This course is designed for the mature, independent junior who reads and writes significantly above grade level. It provides an
advanced and rigorous approach by being closely integrated with the American Studies course offered through the Social Studies Department. The primary text will be Elements of Literature: Literature of the United States with Literature from the Americans by Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.

WRITERS’ WORKSHOP
One year, two credits
This course is based on the workshop model of study. It is specifically designed to provide concentrated and individualized
instruction in written composition to prepare students for success in work or in continued academic study. In addition, the use of technology is integrated to enhance student skills for work or continued education. Assignments include the basics of narrative, expository, and persuasive writing. A secondary focus of the course is individual reading of fiction and nonfiction works of literature in order to encourage life long learning.

LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION
One year, two credits
This course provides a rigorous thematic approach to longer works through literary analysis. Primary texts include works such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Othello, Hamlet, The Metamorphosis, Unsettling America, Native Son, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Catch 22, Siddhartha, The Poisonwood Bible, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Ceremony, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and The Snows of Kilimanjaro. The focus of composition is impromptu, exposition, and persuasion incorporating critical secondary sources.

*AP LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION
One year, two credits
This highly rigorous course is appropriate for seniors who read and write significantly above grade level. The text is Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama by X.J. Kennedy, a text used in colleges. Longer works studied include King Lear, Love Medicine, Beloved, The Things They Carried, All the King’s Men, White Noise, and Four Plays by Ibsen. Reading and writing assignments are similar to those which can be expected in college English courses, including a required second semester research paper and oral presentation of that research. Taking this class can prepare the student to take the Advanced Placement Exam in May. Scoring well on that exam can result in up to 6 hours of college credit in Rhetoric or English.

SPEECH COMMUNICATION
One semester, one credit
Students who enroll in this course should have solid research skills as they are necessary for effective completion of information and persuasive speeches. The major goal of this course is to develop appreciation for and practice in speech concepts, including self-communication, one-to-one communication, small group communication, and public speaking. Good listening skills, essential to communication, are emphasized throughout the course.

DRAMA
One semester, one credit
This course may be repeated with consent of instructor. The major goal of this course is to study and practice techniques of acting, direction, and production. There will be a class production for which additional rehearsal time will be expected. This course is especially recommended for students interested in performance and in extra-curricular drama activities.

JOURNALISM
One year, two credits
This course is recommended for sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are interested in developing skills in objective reporting and editorial writing. This course provides an understanding of the ethical and legal responsibilities of journalists, the role of commercial journalism in our society, and the practice of scholastic journalism. Students in the class will prepare articles for The Echo, the student newspaper, and all students will benefit from the emphasis on writing skills, regardless of whether they ultimately pursue a career in journalism. Desktop publishing skills will be taught within the context of the production of The Echo. Students may repeat the course with the consent of the instructor, and repeating students will assume responsibility for production of The Echo and the active mentoring of new students in the class. Students who elect to repeat this course will be given the weighted option.

YEARBOOK
One year, two credits
This course is recommended for sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are interested in developing skills in objective reporting and layout design. This course is repeatable with the consent of the instructor. Students who elect to repeat this course will be given the weighted option. The first year of the course provides an introduction to the basic elements of yearbook production by stressing copy writing, caption writing, cropping, editing, layout design and computer use in all areas. The second year of this course is recommended for juniors and seniors who are interested in becoming editors of the Rosemary. During the second year, students will be primarily responsible for the Rosemary and will be provided with a thorough understanding of the production process.

Page updated 10-16-07

Urbana High School
1002 S. Race Street
Urbana, Illinois 61801

Phone: 217-384-3505
Fax: 217-384-3532
Attendance: 384-3522