ENGLISH / LANGUAGE ARTS

CASA requires students to have 4 credits of English/Language Arts for graduation. English/Language Arts courses are offered both live-taught and online.

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LIVE-TAUGHT ENGLISH / LANGUAGE ARTS COURSE OFFERINGS

 

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WORLD LITERATURE I

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Course Overview:  This course examines great works of literature from around the world.  Students will develop the skills to analyze and respond to various forms of literature, including epic poetry, biography, fiction, and nonfiction. The course begins by exploring some highly influential ancient pieces, and works its way forward to present-day literature. Throughout this process, students see that although language and customs change, human beings today have many of the same experiences, ideas, and feelings that they had thousands of years ago. With that knowledge, students can relate to and learn from ancient and modern authors and can then share what they learn with those around them. Students have the opportunity to practice different skills, including reading and analysis, speaking and listening, acting, grammar, writing, and vocabulary development. Students also learn how to use various tools for review and to reinforce understanding. This course is offered to students in grade 9 and is offered at both College Prep and Honors levels.

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Units of Study:

• Cultural Myths and Heroes

• Personal Journeys

• The Alchemist

• Defining Courage and Teaching Tolerance

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WORLD LITERATURE II

 

Course Overview:  In this course, students continue to expand their knowledge of great works of world literature from ancient to modern times. Students study various forms of literature including drama, fiction, nonfiction, and historical fiction. Through their study, students learn how to analyze and respond to the literature in greater depth and gain a greater understanding of how literature reflects changes in language and customs. Students also work to improve their communication skills through reading and analysis, speaking and listening, acting, and the study of grammar and vocabulary. Students learn to use various tools for review and understanding. At the end of the course, students will take the Pennsylvania Literature Keystone exam; passing at the proficient or advanced level is required for graduation in the state of Pennsylvania. This course is offered to students in grade 10 and is offered at both College Prep and Honors levels.

 

Units of Study:

• Myths

• The Fall of Man and the Power of Redemption

• Research Paper

• Magic Realism

• Rhetoric: Speech and Debate

 

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AMERICAN LITERATURE

 

Course Overview:  This course will have students read and analyze American literature texts with a focus on historical context. This course will progress through various periods of American history.  Students will be introduced to multiple genres of literature and be challenged to interpret each piece of literature soundly and handle literary techniques skillfully. Students will also work to improve your communication skills through reading and in-depth analysis, speaking, and writing skills. This course is offered to students in grade 11 and is offered at both College Prep and Honors levels.

 

Units of Study:

• Pilgrim and Puritan Literature

• Literature of the American Revolution and Research Paper

• Romanticism

• Transcendentalism

• Realism/Naturalism

• The New Negro Movement

• Modern Literature

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BRITISH LITERATURE

 

Course Overview:  This course will have students read and analyze British literature texts with a focus on historical context. Beginning with Anglo-Saxon literature, we will work our way through British history as the school year progresses. You will be introduced to multiple genres of literature and be challenged to interpret each piece of literature soundly while handling literary techniques skillfully. You will also work to improve your communication skills through reading and in-depth analysis, speaking, and writing skills. This course is offered to students in grade 12 and is offered at both College Prep and Honors levels.

 

Units of Study:

• Anglo-Saxon literature

• Arthurian literature

• Medieval literature

• Renaissance literature

• Romanticism literature

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AP LITERATURE & COMPOSITION

 

Course Overview:  This course cultivates the reading and writing skills that students need for college success and for intellectually responsible civic engagement. This course guides students in becoming curious, critical, and responsive readers of diverse texts, and becoming flexible, reflective writers of texts addressed to diverse audiences for diverse purposes. The reading and writing students do in this course will deepen and expand their understanding of how written language functions rhetorically: to communicate writers’ intentions and elicit readers’ responses in particular situations. Annotation of required texts will be a major aspect of this course. This course is offered every other year to students in grades 11 and/or 12 based on teacher recommendation.

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AP LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION

 

Course Overview:  In this course, students investigate rhetoric and its impact on culture through analysis of notable fiction and nonfiction texts, from pamphlets to speeches to personal essays. The equivalent of an introductory college-level survey class, this course prepares students for the AP exam and for further study in communications, creative writing, journalism, literature, and composition. Students explore a variety of textual forms, styles, and genres. By examining all texts through a rhetorical lens, students become skilled readers and analytical thinkers. Focusing specifically on language, purpose, and audience gives them a broad view of the effect of text and its cultural role. Students write expository and narrative texts to hone the effectiveness of their own use of language, and they develop varied, informed arguments through research. Throughout the course, students are evaluated with assessments specifically designed to prepare them for the content, form, and depth of the AP Exam. This course is offered every other year to students in grades 11 and/or 12 based on teacher recommendation.