English Courses

Accelerated Language and Literature I

Advanced Language, Literature, and Composition is the entrance course to Central Academy English. Beginning with a summer reading assignment, this course is designed to develop and to reinforce effective reading, writing, and organizing skills. Students work on close reading and analysis, including annotation skills, leading to literal and abstract interpretations. Students read complete works including novels, a memoir, and a Shakespearean play. Vocabulary development is a major focus that includes the weekly study and application of Greek and Latin stems and academic vocabulary. Grammar is also addressed and focuses on the eight parts of speech and sentence structure. Writing is a major component, and students gain experience writing in different formats. Students participate in presentations and discussions designed to support critical thinking about themselves and the world.

Accelerated Language and Literature II

Accelerated Language and Literature II includes a survey of world literature studied in a thematic approach to critically analyze ideas and make connections to the real world and other texts. Students will read from both fiction and non-fiction texts and write several compositions using expository and argumentative techniques, including a researched, persuasive presentation project that will critically evaluate information based on relevancy, objectivity, and reliability. This course focuses on developing theme and thesis statements and constructing arguments that support claims effectively. In addition, students will participate in small and large group discussions and throughout the year students will continue to study and acquire advanced vocabulary to support comprehension and interpretation of complex texts.

Accelerated Language and Literature III

Accelerated Language and Literature III is a survey course primarily focused on drama, poetry, fiction, and nonfiction reflective of a diverse culture. Other texts are included to enhance the understanding of social issues prevalent in today’s world and connect back to the guiding principle within the texts: Examining the journey of self-identity within social constructs. Students develop oral and written skills in interpretation, analysis, and criticism. Students also complete research as a part of understanding academic writing. Throughout the year students will continue study and acquisition of an advanced vocabulary to support comprehension and interpretation of complex texts.

*College Accelerated Language and Composition

Advanced Placement Language and Composition challenges students to develop individual writing styles adaptable to different occasions for writing. This weighted course begins with a summer reading assignment. Students read, analyze, and practice a variety of discursive prose. Because students entering this course will already have foundational skills in formal academic writing and rhetorical analysis, this course applies the tools of effective discourse–written and spoken–delving deeply into semantic study. While students are well prepared to sit for the PSAT, SAT, ACT and AP Language and Composition exams, this class focuses on the art of persuasion, and is a college level rhetoric course. This course is teacher facilitated but student driven, relying heavily on Socratic seminars to explore a variety of texts (1600’s to present) and to design original rhetorical pieces utilizing a variety of modes and mediums. Students finish the year by creating a college portfolio and preparing to write the Common Application.

*College Accelerated Literature and Composition

This weighted course begins with a summer reading and ends with the anchor novel, The Brothers Karamazov, and a final project. Because student entering this class will already have foundational skills built through the Academy’s English pathway, our focus is truly on advanced analysis of all aspects of a work with a creative approach to moving past the five-paragraph essay. The class is focused on Socratic discussion where students both lead and are required to participate. While students are well prepared to sit for the AP Literature and Composition exam in May, the focus of this class is an approach to advanced college-level reading and writing using both contemporary and classical literature. This course puts the learning in the students’ hands much of the time through intricate presentations and focused discussions. The students must be willing to delve deeply into the literature studies in order to create thoughtful presentations both with a group and individually, write formal essays, and participate fully in all class discussions.

*College Accelerated Lang and Lit Capstone S1-Encounters in Humanities

An interdisciplinary course exploring the human condition through literature, painting, sculpture, architecture, music and dance. The course examines the cultural context of individual works and movements, the thematic relationships between the arts and the relevance of the arts in our lives today.

Students have the opportunity to earn 3 hours of DMACC credit upon successful completion of this semester course. The DMACC competencies for HUM 116 will be taught and assessed.

Prerequisites: Must have taken Accelerated College Literature and Composition at Central Academy and earned an A or B. Can take both Accelerated College Literature and Composition and this course at the same time. Must have an A at a home school AP Literature course or teacher approval.

*College Accelerated Lang and Lit Capstone S2-Literature to Film

Focuses on the relationship between literary works (fiction, drama, nonfiction, poetry, or graphic novel) and their adaptations to film. Students explore the adaptation of literature to film; how the elements of plot, character, setting, point of view, symbol, and theme are adapted or altered from literature to film; and how film adaptations influence our understanding of both literature and film.

Students have the opportunity to earn 3 hours of DMACC credit upon successful completion of this semester course. The DMACC competencies for LIT 209 will be taught and assessed.

*indicated weighted course