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ENGLISH COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
READING/ STUDY SKILLS) (302)
Reading and Study Skills combined with Freshman English will provide opportunities for students who need to improve reading, accuracy, speed and comprehension. Other skills to be emphasized include logical reasoning, vocabulary, spelling, and study skills. A strong emphasis will be placed on organizing work for each class in which students are enrolled. Overall, the course will provide a secure environment for reading and studying.
Length of course: One year Credit: 0.50
ENGLISH 1 (300)
Course description: This course will provide freshmen with the necessary skills for studying English at the high school level. These skills include grammar and usage, basic writing skills, library research skills and an introduction to the major categories of literature. Included are the short story, novel, drama, poetry and mythology.
Length of course: One year Credit: One
ADVANCED ENGLISH 1 (301)
Course description: This course is designed for freshmen who have demonstrated a strong aptitude for grammar, writing, and reading in the eighth grade and who have the ability to move at a faster pace than those in regular Freshman English. A comprehensive study of phrases and clauses, along with a review of the eight parts of speech, will enhance the students' writing skills and help prepare them for Advanced Sophomore English and junior/senior college (CO) English classes. Also included will be an extensive study of the major genres of literature: the short story, novel, drama, poetry, and mythology.
Prerequisite: Determined by placement test and standardized test scores; must exhibit strong grammar and writing skills.
Length of Course: one year Credit: One
ENGLISH 2 (310)
Course description: This course will continue the study of the major genre of literature (short story, novel, drama, poetry) as begun in English 1, but with greater emphasis on critical reading, literary analysis, and theme recognition. Each unit of literature will be followed by a project designed to further develop the students' writing and oral communication skills. Through these projects, students will be introduced to essay writing, library research, and giving oral presentations in class.
Length of course: One year
Credit: One
ADVANCED ENGLISH 2 (311)
Course description: Designed for students who excel in language arts, this course is especially recommended to those who may be considering taking any of Gibault's college credit courses as juniors and seniors. This course reinforces the Humanities approach to the study of literature: the literature is chosen to parallel the historical periods covered in sophomore history. Novels and plays in this class are written on a more advanced reading level and will be studied at a faster pace. As in regular English 2, emphasis will be placed on critical reading skills, literary analysis, and theme recognition.
In order to prepare students for the writing skills in Junior/Senior college credit (CO) courses, this class will teach the basics of constructing an essay and research paper. In summary, sophomores who take this course will receive a solid background in the literature and composition skills necessary for succeeding in future honors courses.
Prerequisite: 90% average in English 1 and recommendation from Freshman English teacher
Length of course: One year Credit: One
ENGLISH 3: COMPOSITION: (Juniors)
Writing, Research, and English literature (320)
Course Description: English 3/ Composition is a comprehensive writing course which builds on the essay-writing skills begun in sophomore year. The class reinforces the concept of writing as a "process" by approaching each writing project as five stages of writing; prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading, and publishing. Course assignments are designed to give students experience in the descriptive, narrative, expository, and persuasive styles of writing. Specific grammar, punctuation, sentence structure and word choice skills will be practiced during the revision/proofreading stages of each writing project. In the second semester students will become more proficient in research skills and the use of in-text documentation during the research paper assignment. The last quarter is devoted to a brief introduction to some of the major post-Shakespearean English writers and poets.
Length of course: One year Credit: One
ENGLISH 3: INTRODUCTORY COMPOSITION (Juniors) (321)
Course Description: This course focuses primarily on the writing process and the development of skills that began in sophomore year. The class reinforces the concept of writing as a “process” by approaching each writing project as five stages of writing; prewriting, drafting, revising, proofreading, and publishing. Topics that will be covered in the first semester include: sentence structure and the use of clauses, grammar, word choice skills, and writing a personal narrative essay. Topics that will be covered in the second semester include: writing a literary essay, speech, and using research skills and in-text documentation during the research paper assignment.
Length of course: One year (everyday) Credit: One
ENGLISH 4: AMERICAN LITERATURE (Seniors) (330)
Course description: This course is a survey of the major periods and writers in American Literature, introducing students to our country's literary heritage. The course will also review the general history of each time period so that students will understand how writers are influenced by the events and experiences of their times. Units will include Early American Writers (Colonial Period), the Revolutionary War period, Romanticism and Transcendentalism, Realism, and Modern/Contemporary Writers. The works of such major American authors as Washington Irving, Edgar Allan Poe, Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, Mark Twain, Arthur Miller, John Steinbeck, and J. D. Salinger will be discussed in depth. Students will be expected to complete regular reading assignments, write 2-3 five-paragraph essays, and work together on two group projects. In addition, students are required to read independently one extra novel per quarter from a reading list of American literature.
Length of course: One year (every day) Credit: One
(CO PRO/CMP –Sem.1) (360) Process of Composition
ST. LOUIS U course: (ENGX150)
(CO RHT/RES –Sem.2) (361) Advanced Rhetoric & Research
ST. LOUIS U course: (ENGX190)
Course description: The purpose of these courses is to develop an ability to write correct, effective and efficient expositions. This includes development of logical thinking patterns and clear organization. The course will concentrate on writing as a process. Students write several essays, analyze short pieces of literature, write a research paper, give a speech, keep a journal and read required texts for class.
The Honors Composition program fulfills the high school composition requirement at Gibault.
Students must register for BOTH semesters with St. Louis U. This registration is facilitated by Gibault.
Prerequisite: Requirements include the recommendation of the Sophomore English teacher, a serious desire to go to college and an ability to handle a college course and maintain standards in the high school curriculum. Minimum GPA: 3.0
The textbook for this class is chosen by the instructor and purchased by the student.
Length of courses: Two Semesters
Credit: One
(CO INT/LIT-Sem.1) (370) INTRO TO LITERARY STUDY
ST. LOUIS U. course: (ENGX202)
(CO INT/DRA-Sem.2) (371) INTRO TO DRAMA
ST. LOUIS U course: (ENGX240)
Course description: In this literary/survey course (#370), basically involving English and American literature, readings will represent a wide variety of forms, authors, time periods and viewpoints. Genres will include fiction, poetry and essay. Both formal and informal discussion as well as student presentations will form a significant part of classroom instruction time.
The drama course (#371) will offer general and specific background in drama. Offerings will include Greek, European, and American plays. Presentation of a major playwright's work and brief research of a modern dramatist will be required in this course. Trips to St. Louis U. theatre will be included in this study of drama.
Textbooks will be purchased by the student
Prerequisite: Successful completion of ENX150, ENGX190 , ENGX202 & minimum 3.0 GPA.
Length of courses: Two semesters
Credit: One
JOURNALISM 1 (326)
Course description: This class is open to any student who is interested in working on the school newspaper or yearbook. This course is designed for students who want to learn the fundamentals of journalism and desktop publishing. In addition to studying the course content/textbook, students will be required to submit an article per quarter to the school newspaper/yearbook. Students will use some internal resources and hands on interactive software to complete some of the course assignments. This elective course does not fulfill the requirement for an English credit.
1St Quarter: Journalists' Responsibilities, Interviewing Techniques, News Writing, Style and Editing
2nd Quarter: Column and Review Writing, Photojournalism, Writing Captions
3rd Quarter: Feature Writing, Editorial Writing, Sports Writing
4th Quarter: Publication Design, Page Maker Program, Headline Writing, Special Topic Chapters
Length of course: One year (every other day). Credit: 0.50
JOURNALISM 2: NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION (327)
Course description: Producing news articles and feature columns for the school newspaper THE NEW REVOLUTION is the function of this class. Along with acquiring more journalistic knowledge and skill, student journalists will write to produce an informative newspaper. Attendance is required on an every other day schedule. The entire newspaper staff will meet informally for editorial discussions, some occasional instruction and for individual conferences. Most of the class time will be spent working individually on newspaper assignments. Individual work may include financial management, photography, advertising, writing, editing, and designing skills, including proficiency on computers. This course is an elective and does not fulfill the English requirement.
Prerequisite: Journalism 1 and instructor approval.
Length of course: One year Credit: 0.50
JOURNALISM 3 and JOURNALISM 4 (328/ 329)
Course description: These classes are designed for self-motivated students who are capable of writing in-depth articles. These few students will be responsible for managing and producing the student newspaper. The publication of the newspaper is the primary function of the members of this class. As newspaper managers these students will serve the student body, staff, and the community through the writing, management, and production of an informative, discussion-provoking newspaper. The class does not meet as a formal class. Informal "Class meetings" will take place on an every other day basis with the editor and/or faculty advisor to plan, organize, and produce the newspaper.
Prerequisite: Third or fourth year journalism students chosen by the advisor.
Length of course: One Year
Credit: 0.50
ADDITIONAL POINTS CONCERNINGNEWSPAPER STAFF
1. Students can be on the Revolution staff for three years after completing Journalism 1. Only those students holding MAJOR editorial and production positions or regularly contributing writers can receive academic credit in their second and third year of journalism.
2. Students who want to be on the newspaper staff as a writer, a layout designer or a major photographer must take Introduction to Journalism. Secondary contributors, such as illustrators, part-time photographers or guest writers do not have to take the course.
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