Intro. to Literature and Composition - 0410  (1.00 year)

Prerequisite:  Eighth grade language arts                       

Grade:  9                                              

Credit:  1.00

This is an orientation course for all DeSales students.  Small classes and individualized instruction provide the opportunity for students of all ability levels to excel, particularly in the intensive practice of writing.  Students will experience all modes of writing, including narrative, descriptive, expository, and research responses, beginning with the basics of grammar, usage, and MLA format and culminating in a short research paper.  Students will also become familiar with the elements of literature through the study of novels, drama, the short story, non-fiction and poetry.  Vocabulary, study skills, and introductions to both the library and the writing center will be included as well.

Intro. to Literature and Composition with Enrichment - 0480  (1.00 year)

Prerequisite:  Eighth grade language arts and recommendation of counselor     

Grade:  9            

In addition to the skills and topics covered in 0410, this course also provides further enrichment in the areas of reading comprehension, composition, critical thinking, and study skills.

Sophomore English - 0422 = College Prep; 0423 = English II  (1.00 year)      

Prerequisite:  Recommendation of Freshman teacher based on performance

Grade:  10   

Credit:  1.00                                         

Sophomore English literature text provides a varied selection of reading material.  Included are short stories, poetry, essays, one contemporary and one Shakespearean play.  Also, students are expected to read selected novels.  Students continue to review grammar and to move into more complex forms of composition.  A vocabulary text provides some mastery in word study.  Speeches and speech related activities are also a part of the sophomore English course.

 AP Track English II - 0425  (1.00 year)       

Prerequisite:  Placement by Freshman teacher based on Semester I performance and PSAT 9 Test Scores.  Students will have exhibited exceptional talent and skill in critical reading and written analysis, and an aptitude for advanced study. 

Grade:  10

Credit:  1.00

This course will prepare students for success in the AP English program at DeSales: AP Language III junior year and AP Literature and Composition senior year.  This accelerated, writing intensive course will expose students to a variety of literature from various periods, genres, and cultures around the world.  Students will learn to read and analyze these texts more critically, with a greater emphasis on outside research, reading, and rhetorical analysis skills.  Students will write in all modes of composition including descriptive, narrative, expository, persuasive, and research with the incorporation of secondary source material.

Junior English - 0430 = AP Language and Composition; 0432 = College Prep; 0433 = English III  (1.00 year)       

Prerequisite:  Recommendation by Sophomore teacher based on performance   

Grade:  11

Credit:  1.00           

Junior English is a survey course in American Literature covering the basic literary genres:  Fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama.  Students are expected to read selected American novels.  A vocabulary text provides some mastery in word study.  Students continue using the writing process in the study of composition, writing longer and more complex academic pieces as well as a wide variety of other types of writing.  Speeches and speech related activities are also a part of the Junior English course.

Advanced Placement Language and Composition - 0430  (1.00 year) 

Prerequisite:  Sophomore AP Track course and recommendation of the Sophomore AP Track teacher, or (depending upon class availability) recommendation of the AP instructor following consultation with previous English teachers and guidance counselor.

Grade:  11

Credit:  1.00

The AP Language and Composition course is an intensive reading and writing experience for gifted and advanced students.  These students are ready to experience the English language at the college level.  The focus of the course is on learning to read closely and critically, with an understanding of how writers create meaning.  By the conclusion of the course, successful students will be able to write with sophistication about meaningful topics.  While course content will emphasize the canon of American literature, students will be exposed to a variety of fiction and non-fiction writing across cultures and time periods.  Students will take the AP Language and Composition test in May. 

Senior English - 0442 = College Prep; 0443 = English IV  (1.00 year) 

Prerequisite:  Recommendation by Junior English teacher based upon performance   

Grade:  12             

Credit:  1.00    

Senior English is a survey of British Literature from the Anglo-Saxon era to the present.  The course also includes writers from Ireland, Canada, Africa and Asia who write in English.  Students are expected to read selected novels by these authors.  Students continue to study composition to prepare for college writing.  Speeches and speech related activities are a part of senior English. 

AP Literature & Composition - 0444  (1.00 year)  

Prerequisite:  Recommendation of Junior English teacher in consultation with Senior AP English teacher

Grade:  12                            

Credit:  1.00

AP English Literature and Composition is an intensive examination of British, American and world literatures with the purpose of preparing students for the Advanced Placement examination in May. The course includes close reading and analysis of a variety of literary styles, such as narrative and lyric poetry, essays, drama, novels, and short fiction. Emphasis will also be placed on the writing process and the further development of critical thinking and research skills.

College Credit Plus: UF ENG 104/College Writing I - 0472  (.5 year)           

Prerequisite:  Students must have a 3.5 GPA and English Department approval in order to qualify for enrollment. Enrollment is limited to 15 students per semester as established by the University of Findlay. 

Grade:  11 & 12      

Credit:  0.50 / Junior and Senior semester elective for Dual High School and College Credit

This course emphasizes writing processes appropriate for narrative, analytical, and argumentative essays. The course helps students to express their own ideas in lively prose that conforms to conventional standards of style and usage. Some of the writing assignments will require responses to assigned readings or other texts (potentially including non-print media), but the focus throughout most of the course remains on each student's expression of his/her own ideas.

Journalism - 0415  (.5 year)                             

Prerequisite:  Recommendation of English Teacher

Grade:  9-12                       

Credit:  .50

Journalism is a course designed for students interested in newspaper journalism and developing their skills as a writer. The course explores the contemporary media and the ethical responsibility issues inherent in press today. Students will learn the fundamentals of news, feature, editorial and sports writing. Students will create numerous original stories using varied structures and writing techniques. This class will work in conjunction with the graphic design course to create The Quill, the DeSales monthly student digital magazine.

Advanced Journalism - 0413  (.5 year)                             

Prerequisite:  83% or better in (0415) Journalism (Sem) or (0414) Journalism (YR) and Teacher Recommendation Required.

Grade:  10-12                       

Credit:  .50

Advanced Journalism is a course that can be taken after completing the Journalism class. Students in Advanced Journalism will serve as editors to the school's digital student magazine, The Quill. They will help in planning story assignments, editing stories, designing pages and marketing the publication within and outside of the school community. In addition, students will continue to develop their writing skills on feature articles and creative pieces.This course offers excellent resume building experience in both the leadership opportunities it allows students, and the experience in writing, designing and marketing a written publication.

Yearbook - 0416  (1.00 year)                             

Grade:  10-12                       

Credit:  1.00

The Photojournalism-based class produces the St. Francis DeSales High School yearbook.  The hard copy, color book is given to every student in the school and documents the events of the given school year. The goal of the Yearbook Class is to teach students design and layout techniques using the Herff-Jones Website, digital editing tools, and Photoshop. Students also learn the aesthetics of graphic art and design as well as digital photography. The final goal is to complete the given school year’s Yearbook. There is no prerequisite for this class. This course provides excellent resume building experience in creating, designing, and completing a hard copy product.

Yearbook Editor - 0418  (1.00 year)                             

Grade:  12                       

Credit:  1.00

Open to students who have successfully completed one year of the Yearbook course. Your role will be to help guide a group of first-year yearbook staffers with creating, editing, and finalizing spreads as well as helping to put final touches on spreads before sending them to printing. You will also teach the other staff members on how to use the Yearbook program.

ESOL Enrichment Lab - 1631

non-credit:  9-10
non-credit: 11-12 

Prerequisite:  Recommendation of ESOL teacher 

The lab course is designed for students whose primary language is other than English and who have limited English proficiency.  Students will receive tutorial assistance in content area subjects and mastery of academic language and concepts.  Attention will be paid to vocabulary used in testing environments.