English Department
Senior Seminars
(All Courses Above are Included in GPA)
Adventure Literature L2/L3/L4
EN4201/4301/4401 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12
Prerequisite:
- L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher
- L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4
- L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5
Throughout this course, we’re going to examine the human desire to explore the world around us. Why do we take risks? Why do we step into the unknown with no guarantee of safety? There are many reasons why human beings have responded to the call of adventure: as a journey of self-discovery; as a search for “authenticity”; as a means to discover a lost paradise; as a way to escape civilization and connect with nature; even as a way to find some sort of treasure and bathe in a bathtub full of money like Scrooge McDuck. We’re going to consider all of those things and more, and we’re going to talk and write about our own adventures, too.
Dystopian Literature L2/L3/L4
EN429/439/449 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12
Prerequisite:
- L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher
- L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4
- L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5
Utopian, or seemingly perfect societies, often hide a dark side, known as a dystopia. What is “perfect” is often actually a profoundly destructive, dehumanizing nightmare for the citizens who live there. This class will consider several examples of dystopian works from both literature and film. It will also look closely at post-apocalyptic literature, possibly including zombies, as well as futuristic depictions of society gone terribly wrong.
Hero’s Journey L3/L4
EN438/448 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12
Prerequisite:
- L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4
- L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5
It’s the same story over and over: a young person unsatisfied with his life and convinced that there is a larger place for him, discovers that he is an important part of a special world that he never knew existed. He meets a mentor who gives him a powerful gift, and as the young person journeys to that special place, he faces a series of challenges and ultimately becomes a hero. This course looks closely at several of those stories and investigates what their differences have to say about the cultural attitudes surrounding their writing. But whether the special realm is Hogwarts, Mordor, or the Death Star, this class also takes a close look at the similarities between the stories, and discusses what they reveal about the essential nature in all of us.
Literary Analysis of Film L2/L3/L4
EN4204/4304/4404 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12
Prerequisite:
- L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher
- L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4
- L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5
This course is designed to examine movies with a literary lens. Students will use the terminology of film analysis as well as the language of literary analysis to examine how directors make meaning and evoke feelings in their audiences. This course presents the opportunity to study movies adapted from texts as well as original screenplays. Students will analyze films primarily in writing and through various discussion formats. In addition, students will gain a first-hand understanding of the impact of directorial choices by creating a short film adapted from a text.
Poetry L2/L3/L4
EN424/434/444 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12
Prerequisite:
- L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher
- L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4
- L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5
“It is the poet’s obligation to bear witness” – Plato
Over the course of the semester, students will look at various forms of poetry that have been used to “bear witness” to historical events, social movements, and other major issues of the past and present. In doing so students will sample various poets, eras, and styles of poetry and come to understand how poetry can influence positive change, in small ways as well as in big ways. Ultimately, students will realize that we can all be poets in our own right and that what we say matters.
Over the course of the semester, students will look at various forms of poetry that have been used to “bear witness” to historical events, social movements, and other major issues of the past and present. In doing so students will sample various poets, eras, and styles of poetry and come to understand how poetry can influence positive change, in small ways as well as in big ways. Ultimately, students will realize that we can all be poets in our own right and that what we say matters.
Philosophy and Literature L3/L4
EN433/443 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12
Prerequisite:
- L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4
- L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5
Some literature is philosophical, and some philosophy is quite literary. This course will explore the ways in which major philosophical ideas manifest themselves in other types of writing, and will utilize both philosophical texts and works of fiction. It will survey a broad swath of writers from the ancient Greeks through the present day. No background in the history of philosophy is required or assumed.
Psychology in Literature L2/L3/L4
EN425/435/445 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12
Prerequisite:
- L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher
- L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4
- L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5
In this course, we will analyze literature using a psychological lens to better understand how characters' behaviors and mental processes influence their decision making. Additionally, we will explore how the authors' external and internal influences may have impacted their writing. And through our study of relevant psychological research, we will look to better understand the psychology of not only ourselves but of the society we live in.
Satire L3/L4
EN436/446 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12
Prerequisite:
- L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher
- L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4
- L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5
Satire is an attempt to ridicule the shortcomings of individuals and institutions. This course will examine satire through the ages, from antiquity to the 21st century. Students will consider the human or social shortcomings that the satirist addresses, as well as the manner in which the satirist ridicules these. Part of the course work will involve defining satire, noting the common elements of this broad concept. Students will also compose original satires.
Shakespeare L2/L3/L4
EN4203/4303/4403 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12
Prerequisite:
- L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher
- L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4
- L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5
Don't be an artless, beef-witted, earth-vexing, loggerheaded, motley-minded moldwarp. "Let us breathe and haply institute/ A course of learning and ingenious studies” into the works of William Shakespeare. The course will include several major works, including tragedies, comedies, histories, and sonnets. Some attention will be given to Shakespeare’s life and the Globe Theater, as well as the works in performance.
War in Literature L2/L3/L4
EN427/437/447 - 0.5 Credit - Semester Long - Grade 12
Prerequisite:
- L2: Recommendation of English 11 teacher
- L3: C- or better in English 11 L3 AND recommendation of English 11 teacher; OR successful completion of English 11 L4
- L4: Recommendation of English 11 teacher AND one of the following: C+ or better in English 11 L4, OR A- or better in English 11 L3, OR successful completion of English 11 L5
The perspectives on war are as diverse as the people who are affected by those conflicts. This course will focus on the depiction of war in literature and how that depiction has changed over the course of time. We will discuss how literature can objectively portray war, speak out against war, or extol the virtues of heroism and patriotism. Historical background as well as the range of human responses to war, and the resultant moral and psychological problems which arise will be topics of particular interest. Consider: courage/cowardice, loyalty/protest, justifiable taking of life/murder. Students will pursue an examination of the effects of war on those involved in the fighting and those they leave behind. Novel, short story, poetry, and film will be examined.