Welcome to the English Department!
The department's mission is to enable students to become the most successful readers, writers, speakers, and thinkers they can be.
Course Descriptions:
English I
This course includes the study of literature, writing, speaking, informational text, and language. The study of literature consists of the short story, novel, non-fiction, and poetry emphasizing the study of literary terms. Students will develop skills in descriptive, summary, expository, and persuasive writing. A research report and formal/informal speaking experiences are also required. Recreational reading allowing for personal choice of material is built into the course.
Honors English I/II
Acceptance to this course is contingent upon test scores, department recommendation, and application/writing samples. Students in this course should have advanced standardized test scores, a reading level of 10th grade or above, an exceptional work ethic, a high interest in learning, reading, and writing, and a positive attitude towards school and coursework. This accelerated course combines English I and English II into a year-long class for accelerated students.
THIS IS A PRIME CLASS - STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A PRIME COURSE CONTRACT.
This course will cover all objectives and standards for English I and English II. Preliminary reading and written response in summer required.
English II
Prerequisite: Successful completion of both terms of English I. This course reinforces and develops the skills introduced in English I. Students will practice researching, speaking, summarizing, comparing/contrasting, and persuading. Poetry, short fiction, nonfiction, drama, and novels form the basis for reflection, analysis, and response to reading.
American Literature
Prerequisites: Successful completion of English II or Honors English I/II. Through a chroological progression of literary periods, students will explore a varieity of genres in order to understand some of the themes, viewpoints, and confilicts unique to the American experience. In addition to traditional course readings, research, and writing, students will prepare for the ACT by practicing test skills.
World Literature
Prerequisites: Successful completion of American Literature. In this course, students will read and discuss excerpts from major works including short stories, novels, poetry, and plays. World Literature is a thematic course, and selected works range from the ancient to the contemporary eras and include cultures such as Ancient Greece, India, China, Europe, and Africa. Significant requirements include literary analysis, a book review, research paper, and oral presentations.
AP English Language and Composition
Prerequisites: Successful completion of American Literature, a B or better in all previous English courses, and/or department recommendation. Students must have advanced standardized test scores, a reading level of at or above 11th grade, an exceptional work ethic, a high interest in learning academic subjects as well as reading and writing, and a positive attitude towards school and coursework.
THIS IS A PRIME CLASS – STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A PRIME COURSE CONTRACT.
This course cultivates the reading and writing skills that students need for college success and for intellectually responsible civic engagement. The course guides students in becoming curious, critical and responsive readers of diverse nonfiction texts and becoming flexible, reflective writers of texts addressed to diverse audiences for diverse purposes. The reading and writing students do in the course will deepen and expand their understanding of how written language functions rhetorically: to communicate writers' intentions and elicit readers' responses in particular situations This course prepares students to take the highly recommended Advanced Placement (AP) exam in English Language and Composition (cost is approximately $94). Preliminary reading and written response in summer required.
NOTE: To verify that any college course credit will transfer to a particular UW College System campus, go to UW Help's "Transfer Information System" website at http://tis.uwsa.edu.
Effective Communication
Prerequisites: Department recommendation.
THIS CLASS SATISFIES AN ENGLISH CREDIT FOR GRADUATION FROM PORTAGE HIGH SCHOOL BUT MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED A COLLEGE ADMISSION ENGLISH.
Effective Communication is the process of designing and transmitting information so that people can understand and use it effectively and efficiently. This course will teach students the established guidelines for effective communication of informational texts. Activities will also prepare students for their job search. Students will develop their critical thinking skills by identifying biased and unbiased sources, as well as identifying logical fallacies in the media. This course will have a strong emphasis on the technology and speaking skills that are necessary for the 21st century.
AP English Literature and Composition
Prerequisites: Successful completion of American Literature and AP English Language & Composition, B or better in all previous English courses and/or department recommendation. Students must have advanced standardized test scores, a reading level of at or above 12th grade, an exceptional work ethic, a high interest in learning academic subjects as well as reading and writing, and a positive attitude towards school and coursework.
THIS IS A PRIME CLASS – STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A PRIME COURSE CONTRACT.
The AP English Literature and Composition course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of imaginative literature to deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure. As they read, students consider a work's structure, style, and themes, as well as its use of figurative language, imagery, and symbolism. Writing assignments include expository, analytical, and argumentative essays that require students to analyze and interpret literary works. This course prepares student to take the Advanced Placement (AP) exam in English Literature and Composition. The cost of the exam is approximately $94. Preliminary reading and written response in summer required.
NOTE: To verify that any college course credit will transfer to a particular UW College System campus, go to UW Help's "Transfer Information System" website at http://tis.uwsa.edu.
English 101 - College Freshman English
Prerequisites: Successful completion of American Literature and department recommendation. Students must meet UW Whitewater requirements of a minimum of 3.25 cum GPA or Top 25% of class.
THIS IS A PRIME CLASS – STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A PRIME COURSE CONTRACT.
STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE TUITION WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY $325 (BASED ON UW WHITEWATER TUITION RATES FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR. TUITION MUST BE PAID TO PCSD BY SEPTEMBER 30.
English 101 provides students with a foundation for the development of critical thinking and writing skills necessary for attaining success in college and future career. The course, the first of a two-semester sequence required of all students at UW Whitewater, is a central component of the college’s “General Education” program. The course focuses heavily on non-fiction readings and examples of strong public discourse. The writing component of this course will include formal and informal writing in a variety of modes and formats such as expository, descriptive, and reflective essays; persuasive arguments; and essay exams. Preliminary reading and written response in summer required.
Students must complete a contract with UW Whitewater including signature of a parent and the English 101 instructor. Anthologies are rented from UWW, but several paperbacks must be obtained by individual students. FERPA laws regarding Student Privacy apply. Students earning a “C” grade or better will earn 3 dual credits for UW Whitewater’s English 101 class.
NOTE: To verify that any college course credit will transfer to a particular UW College System campus, go to UW Help’s “Transfer Information System” website at http://tis.uwsa.edu.
Honors World Literature
Prerequisites: Enrollment in English 101 (UW Whitewater) course or department approval for elective credit.
THIS IS A PRIME CLASS – STUDENTS MUST COMPLETE A PRIME COURSE CONTRACT.
Students read and discuss excerpts from major works including short stories, novels, poetry, and plays. Students will examine and analyze contemporary world literature from a variety of regions. Students will develop a portfolio as well as present frequently to the class.
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