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

Studies in World Literature includes a survey of world literature studied in a thematic approach to critically evaluate information based on relevancy, objectivity, and reliability. Students will write several compositions using expository and argumentative techniques, including a research project. This project will include an articulated research question or thesis statement, and incorporate findings while adhering to a consistent format for documentation.

Accelerated Language and Literature III

Advanced American Literature is a yearlong investigation, beginning with a summer reading assignment, of our nation’s writings. This weighted course begins with the Native American oral tradition and continues through the Modern Era. Students explore a wide scope of literary movements, examining the historical and cultural impact American literature has made. Throughout this rigorous course, students hone their analytical thinking and writing skills, culminating in a written, formal researched argument. Because students entering this course will already have foundational skills in formal academic writing and rhetorical analysis, this course extends beyond the intensive study of American literature, and prepares students for the methods of thinking and styles of writing used in AP Language and AP Literature.

*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