Language Arts

Course Number: 1001300 English I STANDARD
La Salle Number: 009 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite: None

The purpose of this course is to provide instruction which empathizes the acquisition of fundamental English language skills. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: essential reading and writing skills, examination of various literary forms as the basis for reading comprehension and vocabulary development, composition writing, vocabulary development and the stages of the writing process.

Course Number: 1001310 ENGLISH I
La Salle Number: 008 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite(s): 40th national percentile or higher in one of the three English components of the STS High School Placement Test.

This course is designed to develop the student’s ability to understand and analyze various genres of literature. In addition, grammar, mechanics, and sentence variations will be required along with diction and vocabulary development.

Course Number: 1001320 ENGLISH I HONORS
La Salle Number: 007 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite(s): 80th national percentile or higher in two of the three English components of the STS High School Placement Test and an “A” in 8th grade English.

The English program would be extended and deepened for the honors class so that each student will achieve a higher degree of mastery in all the areas of language development. Literary works will be read and studied in depth.

Course Number: 1001340 ENGLISH II STANDARD
La Salle Number: 012 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite(s): None

The purpose of this course is to continue to provide instruction that empathizes the acquisition of fundamental English language skills. The approach will include, but not be limited to a survey of world literature, and the continued study of composition, grammar and vocabulary. PSAT preparation will also be addressed.

Course Number: 1001340 ENGLISH II
La Salle Number: 011 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite(s): 40th or higher percentile in the English Usage section of the PSSS.

This course is a survey of world literature, it is designed to enable the students to continue and expand upon the knowledge gained in the freshman literature course and to write effective and coherent compositions through the use of description, illustration, and example. Grammar and vocabulary instruction is an integral part of the program. Preparation for the PSAT is integral to this course.

Course Number: 1001350 ENGLISH II HONORS
La Salle Number: 010 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite(s): An “A” in English I or a “B” in English I Honors, 75th percentile on the English Usage section of the PSSS and departmental recommendation.

The English Honor program would be extended and deepened for the honor’s class, so that each student would be obliged to work to his/her fullest capacity, achieving a high degree of mastery in all the areas of language development. Classic and contemporary works from world literature will be read and studied in depth, and a unit on rhetorical devices in non-fiction is part of the pre-AP preparation (vertical learning).

Course Number: 1001370 ENGLISH III STANDARD
La Salle Number: 015 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite(s): None

The purpose of this course is to continue to provide instruction that empathizes the acquisition of fundamental English language skills. The approach will include, but not be limited to a survey of American literature, and the continued study of composition, grammar and vocabulary. PSAT preparation will also be addressed.

Course Number: 1001370 ENGLISH III
La Salle Number: 014 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite(s): None

This course is designed to allow the students to become well versed in American Literature and proficient in essay writing. It will continue to develop the skills of critical thinking, asking the students to analyze a focused, limited, topic in-depth. Vocabulary, composition, and grammar instruction shall also extend to researching various topics in the library. Emphasis shall also be given to preparation for the College Boards.

Course Number: 1001380 ENGLISH III HONORS
La Salle Number: 013 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite(s): An “A” in English II or a “B” in English Honors, a national percentile of 70% or higher on the English Usage section of the PSSS or PSAT in 10th grade and departmental recommendation.

The English Honors program would be enriched by an extension and depth of the required language skills for Junior English. College Board preparation is integral in this program.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT
Course Number: 1001420 ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION
La Salle Number: 021 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite(s): An “A” in both English I Honors and English II Honors, a national percentile of 80% on the English Usage section of the PSSS or PSAT in 10th grade, and departmental recommendation. Taking the College Board AP test is mandatory for all students in the class.

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the semantic, structural, and rhetorical resources of the English language as they relate to the principles of effective writing. The course also provides a variety of writing opportunities calling for the use of different styles and tones. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: the content specified by the Advanced Placement Program, summer readings, outside readings per quarter, recognizing appropriate relationships among author, audience, and subject, and organizing written work accordingly. Class size restricted.

Course Number: 1001400 ENGLISH IV
La Salle Number: 042 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite(s): None

This course is designed to expose the students to works of British literature and extend their foundation in world literature. It integrates aspects of literary analysis developing the essay form. Part of the program continues College Board preparation. Being a course of immediate preparation for college, all students shall be required to complete a research paper, which further integrates all aspects of the language arts, including grammar, usage, and mechanics. Completion of a documented research paper (5-7 pages) that merits a passing grade is required for graduation.

Course Number: 1001410 ENGLISH IV HONORS
La Salle Number: 041 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite(s): A final average of “A” in English III or “B” in English Honors, 70th percentile or above in PSAT verbal and writing skills and departmental recommendation.

Students will examine the nature of tragedy and investigate archetypes in world and British literature. They will recognize literary devices and elements that contribute to the meaning of works and draw inferences about themes. Student will be introduced to literary analysis and criticism. Completion of a documented research paper (7-10 pages) that merits a grade of “C-” or better is required for graduation.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

Course Number: 1001430 English Literature and Composition
La Salle Number: 022 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite(s): Successful completion of AP Language and Composition (three or higher on AP exam). If a Junior taking English III Honors, a minimum of “A-” for first semester and final average, 80th or above percentile PSAT verbal skills score and departmental recommendation. Taking the College Board AP test is mandatory for all students in the class.

The purpose of this course is to study writing skills, practice writing, and to study literature. Students will learn to use the modes of disclosure and recognize the assumptions underlying various rhetorical strategies. Students will also acquire an understanding of the resources of the language and of the writer’s craft. The content should include, but not be limited to, the content specified by the College Board Advance Placement Program.

Course Number: 1005330 CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE
La Salle Number: 002 Credit: .5
Pre-requisite(s): None

The purpose of this course is to study works of major contemporary writers as they reflect on modern culture, including its characteristics, problems, and values. The content should include, but not be limited to, the following: reading and analysis of contemporary fiction; poetry; drama; and nonfiction with emphasis on theme, style, and characterization; writing experiences based on the literature read in the course.

Course Number: 1007300 SPEECH
La Salle Number: 070 Credit: .5
Pre-requisite: Interview with and approval by instructor
Co-requisite: Debate; 9 th grades students must be in English I Honors.

While emphasizing and providing introductory skills necessary for both formal and informal oral communication, the course will also provide the basic skills for sound argument and problem solving. Students will be taught the techniques of effective listening, questioning, and discussion within a group setting, as well as the art of public speaking and debate skills. Attendance at tournaments and constructive criticism will be used as vital instruments to help students improve their skills and evaluate themselves and others.

Course Number: 1007330 DEBATE
La Salle Number: 071 Credit: .5
Pre-requisite: Interview with and approval by instructor
Co-requisite: Speech;9 th grades students must be in English I Honors

This course will provide instruction in the fundamentals or argumentation and problem solving. The content includes, but is not limited to logical thinking, organization of facts, speaking and research skills, and participation in debates and tournaments.

Course Number: 1006300 JOURNALISM I - MEDIA
La Salle Number: 054 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite: Interview with and approval by instructor

Media gives students the tools to critically evaluate different mediums. This course enables students to draw conclusions about what the media presents and debate them. Media students study, use, and evaluate all forms of journalism and must be up to date on current issues. The content includes, but is not limited to: the writing processes, production skills, history and ethics of media, photojournalism, organization and management techniques, technology, research, analysis of media, future careers. Students in this class are required to work on La Salle High School’s literary magazine. Special Note: Hands on activities are integral to this course. This course requires students to participate in activities beyond the school day.

Course Number: 1006310 JOURNALISM II - NEWSPAPER
La Salle Number: 056 Credit: 1
Pre-requisite: Interview with and approval by instructor and Journalism I

Newspaper gives students the environment to focus on the development of their writing process through articles. Students in newspaper will gain the knowledge of running a newspaper gaining insight on both the journalism and business sides of the press. Students become responsible to budget and plan advertising sales for each issue. Students are required to be up to date on what is going on in the media and the news. Students are responsible for presenting this to the student body through the Royal Courier, La Salle High School’s student newspaper. The main focus op the class is to produce a monthly publication of the Royal Courier and examine the world journalism and each student’s potential. Special Note: Hands on activities are integral to this course. This course requires students to participate in activities beyond the school day.

Course Number: 1009320 Creative Writing I
LaSalle Number: 067 Credit: 0 .5
Pre-Requisite: None

The purpose of this course is to provide an organized study of the structure of sentences, paragraphs, and larger pieces, culminating in written assignments that are based on personal experiences, observations, and literature. The content shall include, but not be limited to, the following: the kinds and levels of diction; development of sentence variety; coherence and transition; modes and aims of discourse; rhetorical devices; punctuation; capitalization; spelling; elements of manuscripts forms; experiences in all aspects of the writing process, including prewriting, drafting, and revising; outside reading; summer reading; short research paper.

LITERATURE AND THE ARTS I / II–
Course Number: 1005350/1005360 EXPLORING HUMAN RIGHTS
La Salle Number: 023/024 Each Credit: 0.5
Pre-requisite: None
Co-requisite: Literature and the Arts I/II

The purpose of this course is to “stimulate the moral imagination” of the student by exploring issues of equality, human dignity, peace and freedom as expressed in literature and the arts from antiquity to modern society. The course will enable students to develop knowledge of representative works of literature and related visual and performing arts so as to understand them as vehicles for expression of ideas and beliefs that reflect their historical and cultural periods.