School District of Waukesha High School Course Selection Guide ...

Life Themes: Awakenings through Literature (Course #5048)This course will focus on a variety of major themes in the journey of life. This course incorporates variousgenres that will include: poetry, short stories, fiction, non‐fiction, film, and drama. The literature in thiscourse will center around characters who all go through “rites of passage” whether it be events,challenges, or experiences that mark the eventual passing from one stage of life to the next. Students willdiscover that books and characters are full of traits and experiences that everyone can connect to. Asstudents read and discuss these various genres, they are urged to consider the question: “How does thisrelate to all young people today?” In addition to the literature that will be read, students will be asked toclearly articulate their understanding of these “rites of passage” as well as their own through the skills ofwriting and speaking. This course is a literature intensive class that will require a great deal of reading. Assuch, it is recommended that Life Themes: Awakenings through Literature not be taken concurrent withEnglish 12.English 12 ‐ Literature (Course # 5052)This course will expose students to American, British, and world literature, encouraging students toexamine, explain, and evaluate various perspectives concerning individual, community, national and worldissues. Students, as seniors, will be expected to adopt a mature, interpretative understanding of theliterature and the impact that literature can have on an individual and a society. Emphasis will be placed onthe world view, encouraging the student to understand that local or national issues often have an internationalimpact. The writing and oral discussion required in this class will entail higher level thinkingskills.College and Career Composition (Course #5086)This course is designed for the students who plan to attend college, pursue a career in the technical orscientific field or to directly enter the work force. The emphasis will be through assignments inargumentation, description, and narration as well as experience in writing technical reports, processpapers and proposals. Advanced skills in usage, mechanics and language will be stressed. Students will bewriting both individually and collaboratively to communicate effectively for audience and situation.Debate (Course #5060)Debate is a one‐semester 12th grade elective designed for students who feel competent in basic speakingsituations and who want the challenge of an accelerated speech course. Students will learn how speakerspersuade or attempt to persuade listeners to their way of thinking. To do so, students study how toresearch, organize, deliver, defend and evaluate a variety of public speeches. Students will also learn aboutthe communication process, including verbal and nonverbal strategies as well as effective listeningtechniques.26