Program of Studies - Hunterdon Central Regional High School

#050 - MEDIA LITERACY– 2.5 CREDITS (ENG 050 MEDIA LITERACY)
Grades: 9-12
Prerequisite: None
Please note: Media Literacy is an English elective course and NOT a literature course. Media Literacy does not
apply toward the five literature credits required of Juniors and Seniors for graduation.
Students in this course examine various forms of media, such as newspapers, magazines, radio, television, films and the
Internet. They also read and discuss numerous essays and articles written by media critics and cultural theorists including
Bagdikian, Tapscott, Pipher, McKibben, Rushkoff and Jhally. They study propaganda techniques, deconstruct
advertisements, and create original advertisements of their own. The course requires several written analyses and oral
presentations focused on identifying and interpreting the numerous ways media impact lives and define culture.
#041 - CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE - 2.5 CREDITS (ENG 041 CONT LIT)
Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: #021 Honors English 2 or #022, #023 English 2 or #024 Humanities 2
Students study Post World War II authors who have depicted changes in society that illustrate such themes as integration
and disintegration of society and investigate the concepts of initiation and identity. The course challenges students to be
active readers, critical thinkers, articulate speakers, discriminating viewers, and capable writers. Students reflect on
reading assignments, make projections of literary outcomes and engage in analysis of texts. In focused discussions,
students also practice asking questions and finding information in the text, which helps them to answer these questions.
Students are expected to do the majority of the reading at home. Students are required to maintain readers’ notebooks, as
well as class discussion notes. Primary works taught are Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy and The Things They Carried
by Tim O’Brien. It is important when selecting this course to consider that the language and situations used to depict
such concepts as courage, survival and racism are mature, controversial and sometimes graphic.
#046 - MODERN DRAMA - 2.5 CREDITS (ENG 046 MODERN DRAMA)
Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: #021 Honors English 2 or #022, #023 English 2 or #024 Humanities 2
Students study conventions and themes in plays that are representative of different time periods in history, including
modern, post modern, absurdist and contemporary drama. Discussion of the plays includes critical analysis of how each
playwright’s use of action and dialogue further themes and characterizations. The course may include such dramatists as
Eugene O’Neill, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Henrik Ibsen, Tom Stoppard and Neil Simon.
#175 - MULTICULTURAL STUDIES - 5 CREDITS (SOC 175 MULTCULT STDY)
Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: #021 Honors English 2 or #022, #023 English 2 or #024 Humanities 2
Multicultural Studies examines the rich diversity of cultures interacting in our community, state, and nation. The goal of
the course is to develop an awareness of cultural differences through multicultural readings, open discussions of studentcultural
concerns, and first-hand interaction with diverse cultural groups. Students respond through portfolio writing,
research, community-based field experience, and open discussions. The class is team taught, combining two teachers and
two subject fields. Students will receive 2.5 English literature credits/2.5 Social Studies credits.
#047 - POETRY - 2.5 CREDITS (ENG 047 POETRY)
Grades: 11-12
Prerequisite: #021 Honors English 2 or #022, #023 English 2 or #024 Humanities 2
Students study poetry as a literary genre focusing primarily on the work of modern and contemporary poets. Group
discussions deal primarily with analysis of poetry and how it functions as a literary form. The goal of the course is not to
provide students with poetry writing experiences, but rather to help students understand the intricate work of poets, as
well as the power of the poem in all its dimensions. This course is geared towards students with good language
background and a desire and commitment to the serious study of poetry.
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