BHS Course Catalog

 

English

Freshman
English I (2 terms B104)
English I (H) (2 terms B106)  

Sophomore
English II (2 terms B110)
English II (H) (2 terms B112)

Junior
English III (2 terms B118)
AP English Language and Composition (2 terms B121)
AP Literature & Composition (2 terms B124)

Senior
AP English Language and Composition (2 terms B121)
AP Literature & Composition (2 terms B124)
First-Year Composition I & II Dual Credit (2 terms B127)
Integrated Reading and Writing: Placement Credit (2 Terms B123)

English/Speech Electives
Topics in Literature & Composition (1 term B160)
Creative Writing (1 term B134)
Journalistic Writing I: Fundamentals of Journalism (1 term B125)
Journalistic Writing II: Newspaper Production (1 term B126) (Can be repeated)
Argumentation & Debate (1 term B148)
Public Speaking: Fundamentals of Speech Communication: Dual Credit (1 term B136) Jr/Sr Only

State Writing Requirement
The State requires that every student take two writing intensive courses in order to meet requirements for a diploma. The following courses will satisfy this requirement:

English I
English II
English III
AP Language & Composition
AP Literature & Composition
First-Year Composition I
First-Year Composition II
Integrated Reading and Writing

English I (2 terms, 1 credit)

Prerequisite: None

Level: Fr

Fee: $25.00

English I is a comprehensive course including literature, composition, grammar, and vocabulary study. Research, writing, and oral communication skills will be assessed. Each unit within the course builds on students’ prior knowledge and skills in preparation for future coursework. In addition, the course further develops Common Core Literacy Skills in reading and writing in English and Language Arts.

 

English I Honors (2 terms, 1 credit)

Prerequisite: None

Level: Fr

Fee: $20.00

English I Honors is an AP preparatory course including literature, composition, grammar, and vocabulary study. Research, writing, and oral communication skills will be assessed. Literary analysis is emphasized. Each unit within the course builds on students’ prior knowledge and skills in preparation for future coursework. In addition, the course further develops Common Core Literacy Skills in reading and writing in English and Language Arts.

 

English II (2 terms, 1 credit)

Prerequisite: English I

Level: Soph

Fee: $33.00

English II is designed to continue the literature sequence introduced in English I, including both classic texts and contemporary thematic pairings. Through collaborative discussions and critical analysis, students develop critical thinking skills. Writing improvement, including a focus on structure and the author’s purpose, is accomplished through composing, editing, and revising formal literary analysis essays. Mechanics and usage are emphasized, and executive functioning techniques are reinforced. Research skills are incorporated into each unit with student-directed research on unit themes. In addition, the course further develops and enhances Common Core Literacy Skills in reading and writing in English and Language Arts.

 

English II Honors (2 terms, 1 credit)

Prerequisite: English I

Level: Soph

Fee: $33.00

English II Honors is designed to continue the literature sequence introduced in English IH, including both classic texts and contemporary thematic pairings. Through collaborative discussions and critical analysis, students develop critical thinking skills. Writing improvement, including a focus on structure and the author’s purpose, is accomplished through composing, editing, and revising formal literary analysis essays. Mechanics and usage are emphasized, and executive functioning techniques are reinforced. Research skills are incorporated into each unit with student-directed research on unit themes. This course serves as an AP preparatory course. In addition, the course further develops and enhances Common Core Literacy Skills in reading and writing in English and Language Arts.

 

English III (2 terms, 1 credit)

Prerequisite: English II

Level: Jr

Fee: $39.00

By surveying literary periods, including, but not limited to, Puritanism, Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, and Modernism, students will further enhance and employ advanced Common Core Literacy Skills in reading and writing in English and Language Arts. The course emphasizes expository writing, vocabulary, grammar, and critical thinking skills.

 

AP English Language and Composition (2 terms, 1 credit)

Prerequisite: English II/ English II (Honors)

Level: Jr/Sr (Meets Junior or Senior English Requirement)

Fee: $38.00

AP English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects, as well as the way genre conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing.  AP Language and Composition is intended to help prepare students to successfully take the Advanced Placement Language and Composition Exam which may possibly earn college credit.

 

AP Literature & Composition (2 terms, 1 credit)

Prerequisite: English II/ English II (Honors)

Level: Jr/Sr (Meets Junior or Senior English Requirement)

Fee: $18.00

AP English Literature and Composition engages students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the way writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students consider a work’s structure, style, and themes, as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone.  A seminar approach to discussion is employed, and literary works are examined in depth. Students are responsible for the completion of various forms of academic, expository writing.  AP Language and Composition is intended to help prepare students to successfully take the Advanced Placement Language and Composition Exam which may possibly earn college credit.

 

First Year Composition I & II: Dual Credit (2 terms, 1 credit, 6 WCC credits hours)

Prerequisite: Must meet the WCC required score on the English portion of the ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer Test

Level: Sr (meets senior English requirement)

Fee: $3.00 (A $48.00 fee may be assessed should the student elect to pursue dual credit.)

 

  • First Year Composition I: This course focuses on the writing and revising of expository essays and writing projects. It concentrates on the writing process, identifying and responding to different audiences and rhetorical situations, and understanding the conventions of format and structure in various discourse communities, including academic writing. Practice in critical thinking and essay development is emphasized.

 

  • First Year Composition II:  This course focuses on the writing, researching, and revising of expository essays and writing projects. The second of a two-course sequence, it concentrates on the writing process, identifying and responding to different audiences and rhetorical contexts, and understanding the conventions of format and structure in various discourse communities, including academic writing. Practice in critical thinking and essay development is emphasized. Students write analytical and argumentative essays, including an academic research paper.  This course is the equivalent of ENG 101 & ENG 102 at Waubonsee Community College.  Students and parents should confer with their potential college choices about the transferability of this course.

 

Integrated Reading and Writing: Placement Credit (2 terms, 1 credit)

Prerequisite: English III/English III (Honors)

Level: Sr (Meets Senior English Requirement)

Fee: $29.00

Integrated Reading and Writing is a senior level course that aligns with Common Core Standards as well as BHS Graduation Requirements. Completing this course will ensure students are capable of meeting expectations in post-secondary English courses.  The goal of this course will focus on reading and writing. Content will be centered around 21st-century literature. The course will require students to show mastery in reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking, and research skills.

 

English Electives

English Electives are options for Freshmen-Seniors unless otherwise noted.

 

Creative Writing (1 term, .5 credit)

Prerequisite: None

Level: Fr., Soph, Jr, Sr Elective

Fee: $3.00

In Creative Writing, students write poetry, short stories, dramatic scenes, and nonfiction articles. They have the opportunity to enter their work in contests, and they learn how to submit work for publication. Focus is on the 6-trait writing process, editing, and revision of work.

 

Topics in Literature and Composition ​ (1 term, .5 credit)

Prerequisite: ​ None

Level: Fr., Soph, Jr, Sr Elective

Fee: ​ $3.00

Topics in Literature encourages students to set goals and make choices that benefit their growth as a reader. Students study different aspects of an author’s craft such as novel structure, setting, characterization, point of view, style, and theme with regards to texts of their own choosing. Throughout the term, students analyze and give evidence about texts of their choice through writing and conferences with their peers.

 

Journalistic Writing: Fundamentals of Journalism (1 term, .5 credit)

Prerequisite: None

Level: Fr, Soph, Jr, Sr Elective

Fee: $3.00

Students will be introduced to the study of journalism including ethics, interviewing, researching, writing, editing, rewriting and design. Students read various journalistic codes of ethics and create a code of their own; they also learn about issues such as bias, libel, objectivity, fairness and accuracy in reporting. Students will examine the media field and write articles in a variety of journalistic genres. Genres covered include inverted pyramid news, features, sports, editorial and review writing. Students also learn the basics of photojournalism, page layout and design.

 

Journalistic Writing: Newspaper Production (1 term .5 elective credit, can be repeated)

Prerequisite: Enrollment in or successful completion of Journalistic Writing I

Level: Fr., Soph, Jr, Sr Elective

Fee: $3.00

Students with a strong desire to interview, write, edit, rewrite, and design will produce the school newspaper, The Spectator, for both the print and online publication. The class will emphasize strong reporting, research and interviewing skills, concise writing, editing and layout design. Students will need to meet deadlines and work independently as well as in a team. Opportunities for photography and artwork are offered.  Please note that Journalistic Writing may require students to meet outside of class time in order to meet publication deadlines.  This class may be repeated multiple times as an independent study.

 

Argumentation & Debate (1 term, .5 credit)

Prerequisite: Strong writing and presentation skills

Level:  Fr., Soph, Jr, Sr Elective

Fee: 3.00

Argumentation and Debate is an English elective that combines writing, research, and speaking, with theory and practice of formal debate.  Students learn how to create a structured argument, as well as, the techniques of cross-examination.  Over the course of the term, students participate in multiple policy and value debates on topics related to current events and student interest.  This course is an excellent opportunity for college-bound students to develop their critical thinking and speaking skills.

 

Public Speaking: Fundamentals of Speech Communication-Dual Credit  

(1 term, .5 credits, 3 WCC credit hours)

Prerequisite: WCC Requirements

Level: Jr, Sr Elective

Fee: $3.00 (A $24.00 fee may be assessed should the student elect to pursue dual credit)

This dual credit course allows students to further examine the impact of different theories related to human communication, inter/intrapersonal communication, and group dynamics/problem-solving.  Students present original speeches in more stylized situations (roasts, toasts, soap boxes, farewell addresses, and motivational speeches).  This course is the equivalent of COM 100 at Waubonsee Community College.  Students and parents should confer with their potential college choices about the transferability of this course.