Crescent Valley High School

HONORS INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE1 credit Prerequisite: grade 9; recommended for students who exceed eighth grade standards in reading and writing;placement based on teacher recommendation or signed parent waiver CVHS Credit: English OUS Credit: EnglishIn Honors Introduction to Literature, students will explore recurrent, universal themes while analyzing patterns in literature andlanguage. They will be expected to engage in a rigorous course of study through a variety of reading, writing, speaking, and listeningexperiences. Works of study may include such classics as Beowulf, Antigone, and Romeo and Juliet, and twentieth century novelssuch as To Kill a Mockingbird, Fahrenheit 451, and Night. The literature, projects, writing assignments, and vocabulary work willchallenge students to apply critical thinking and research skills to various topics of study in the course. Students who register for thiscourse should have earned an A or B in their middle school language arts class and have a history of completing all assignments andturning work in on time.INTERNATIONAL SHORT STORIES AND MYTHOLOGY1 credit Prerequisite: grade 10; recommended for students who need extra support reading and writing shorter pieces CVHS Credit: English OUS Credit: English Extended App: Extended Application opportunity availableIn International Short Stories and Mythology students will explore people and cultures from around the world through literature. We willstudy traditional hero and creation myths as well as modern short stories from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, India, and Latin America.We will also discover and analyze common ideas and concerns of these regions for a culminating Autobiographical Project. The classfocuses on building reading, writing, speaking, and thinking skills through daily practice. Activities include journaling, class discussion,note taking, collaborative writing, group and individual presentations, and several different writing modes. Students will also haveopportunities to engage in group work and hands-on projects related to the study of different cultures.INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE1 credit Prerequisite: grade 10 CVHS Credit: English OUS Credit: EnglishIn International Literature students will explore world literature, culture, religion, and art from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, India, andLatin America. Students will look at issues such as the effects of war, poverty, and environmental degradation while exploring thepower of the individual and the unique ability of the human spirit to overcome hardships. Students will read various short stories,myths, poetry, and novels from these regions such as The Epic of Gilgamesh, Kaffir Boy, Nectar in a Sieve, and The Kite Runner aspart of the study of various cultures. Vocabulary and grammar work are integrated throughout the course of study. Class projects willinclude a research paper, persuasive speaking and writing, literary analysis, and creative responses to regional studies.HONORS INTERNATIONAL LITERATURE1 credit Prerequisites: grade 10; recommended for students who consistently exceed standards inreading and writing; placement based on teacher recommendationor signed parent waiver; students must enroll in both Englishand social studies sections of Honors International Studies CVHS Credit: English OUS Credit: EnglishHonors International Literature is an integrated and academically challenging study of 20th century world regions and literature. Thecurriculum emphasizes the unique aspects and universal concerns of the people and cultures of Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.Through a variety of learning activities and special projects, students will study cultural issues as represented in works such as TheEpic of Gilgamesh, Siddhartha, The Good Earth, Nectar in a Sieve, Kaffir Boy, and The Kite Runner. The high standards of this courseallow students to practice reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking as well as gathering, synthesizing, and applyinginformation. A major project in the course will be to write an in-depth research paper exploring a critical issue in one of the regions ofstudy. Enrollment in both the English and social studies sections of Honors International Studies is required.- 24 -