English

Students will focus on literacy. writing, and self-efficacy skills. Students will be provided remediation by engaging in mini-lessons, small group instruction, teacher/student conferencing, and implementation of personalized learning using the IXL online program. Executive functioning skills will help develop students' organization skills, communication skills, goal setting, time management, and metacognitive strategies. This course will run concurrently with English 1 as students will receive academic support in conjunction with English 1 units of study. Placement is determined by the Administrative Admissions Committee. This course will receive a Pass/Fail grade.

McAuley Enrichment seminar is a semester course designed to support students with the skills necessary for academic success at Notre Dame High School. The course will address literacy, writing, and self-efficiency skills. This will be accomplished in four units with an emphasis on mini-lessons, small group instruction, and teacher/student conferencing. These units will address organization skills, communication skills, goal setting, annotating, decoding prompts, test taking skills, study skills, and reading and writing strategies. Placement is determined by the Assistant Principle for Curriculum and Instruction and the Counseling Department Chairperson. 

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
The overarching theme for the first year of high school is “coming of age.” Students will work with multiple texts as they develop an understanding of narrative and argumentative elements. Students will be introduced to key learning strategies, which they will apply throughout the semester. Studies in poetry, prose, and nonfiction will enable students to critically analyze the form and content of classical and contemporary literature while strengthening their critical thinking skills in written and oral exercises. They will develop interdependent responses to themes, assess attitudes expressed in literature, and defend conclusions with rational argumentation. Both reading and writing skills will be a priority. (NCAA) 

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
The overarching theme for the first year of high school is “coming of age.” Students will work with multiple texts as they develop an understanding of narrative and argumentative elements. Students will experience key learning strategies, which they will apply throughout the semester. Studies in poetry, prose, and nonfiction will enable students to critically analyze the form and content of classical and contemporary literature while strengthening their critical thinking skills in written and oral exercises. They will develop interdependent responses to themes, assess attitudes expressed in literature, and defend conclusions with rational argumentation. The placing is accelerated. Supplemental reading texts will augment the curriculum. Placement is by the Department Chairperson using the following criteria: 7th and 8th grade grades, standardized test scores, placement tests scores, writing sample, and Language Arts teacher recommendation letter. (NCAA) 

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
The College The focus for English 2 is “explorations of culture and its components—nationality, family, ethnicity, gender, race, and subgroups.” Students will develop an understanding of their own culture and the culture of others so that they can evaluate different perspectives. Students will also explore the concept of cultural identity and diverse cultural perspectives by examining a variety of texts that range from personal reflections to short stories and art. Both reading and writing skills will be a priority. (NCAA)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
The focus for the English 2 is “explorations of culture and its components—nationality, family, ethnicity, gender, race, and subgroups.” Students will develop an understanding of their own culture and the culture of others so that they can evaluate different perspectives. Students will also explore the concept of cultural identity and diverse cultural perspectives by examining a variety of texts that range from personal reflections to short stories and art. The pacing is accelerated. Supplemental reading texts will augment the curriculum. Prerequisite: 85 average in Honors English 1. Students not enrolled in Honors English 1 who wish to take Honors English 2 must have an average grade of 93 in English 1 for consideration. (NCAA)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
The American Dream is a concept that has shaped the national character. The literature studied in this course will blend selections that correspond chronologically or correlate thematically to the study of our heritage from Puritanism through the present day. Throughout the course, students will contemplate the development and idiosyncrasies of the American voice as distinctive, unique, and reflective of the history, cultures, and values of our diverse and dynamic nation. (NCAA)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
This course is designed to correlate a vigorous experience in written composition with an in-depth study of fiction, nonfiction, vocabulary, poetry and drama. The literature studies in this course will blend selections that correspond chronologically or correlate thematically to the study of our heritage from Puritanism through the present day. Throughout the course, students will contemplate the development and idiosyncrasies of the American voice as distinctive, unique, and reflective of of the history, cultures, and values of our diverse and dynamic nation. The pacing is accelerated. Supplemental reading tests will augment the curriculum. Prerequisite: 85 average in Honors English 2. Students not enrolled in Honors English 2 who wish to take Honors English 3 must have an average grade of 93 in English 2 for consideration. (NCAA)

5 Credits     80 Minutes, 1 Semester
The Short Story course gives students the opportunity to read a wide variety of fiction from the literature of different countries and cultures. The class combines both classical and contemporary stories and deals with a variety of themes and topics. It is designed to deepen student appreciation of the short story craft. Students will become active critical readers and will strengthen skills in literary analysis and writing. They will use literary theory to interpret and examine the works of literature; additionally, they will extend their thinking as they delve into  thematic connections to their own lives and to a variety of cultures. By the end of the semester, students will be able to view short fiction as an expression of the human condition. (NCAA)

5 Credits         
80 Minutes, 1 Semester

Students will study western literary movements and their historically-intellectual contexts in order to appreciate how history, geography, and some universal themes shape and reflect the human condition. Seniors will start by studying classics such as Beowulf and The Canterbury Tales and move through different genres up to current 21st century works. They will strengthen their critical thinking skills in written and oral exercises. They will respond to the themes of good vs. evil and humanity vs. nature; and they will assess the feelings, attitudes, and values of characters related to their own personal experiences.  (NCAA)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
This course will introduce major literary voices, themes, genres and movements of Western literature from Anglo-Saxon England, the Medieval; Period, Renaissance, Enlightenment, Romanticism, Realism, Modernism, and Post Modernism era. Students will study representative authors and forms of creative expression critically recognized as influential in shaping the Western literacy heritage not only in the past but also currently. Students will study Modern Western literary movements, their historical-intellectual contexts, and the cultural voices that continue to resonate in the canon of literature. Prerequisite: 85 average in Honors English 3. Students not enrolled in Honors English 3 who wish to take Honors English 4 must have an average grade of 93 in English 3 for consideration. (NCAA)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
Heroes in Literature examines the hero's journey as outlined in Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces and applies that lens while examining archetypes as they appear in both classical literature and popular culture. Students will trace the evolution of the hero in literature, beginning with the epic hero, Odysseus, and progressing through the Medieval, Romantic, and Modern hero, as the hero transitions into an antihero and eventually an Existential and Absurd hero. The course culminates with an examination of the feminist hero and the heroine's journey. Campbell's monomyth will be starting point but the limitations of his model will also be addressed, and variations of his model that offer a less male-centric approach will be considered as well. Prerequisite: 85 average in Honors English 3. Students not enrolled in Honors 3 who wish to take Honors English 4: Heroes in Literature must have an average grade of 93 in English 3 for consideration. (NCAA)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
Students in this college-level course will analyze and interpret a variety of texts from different time periods and in different theoretical patterns and genres. Students cultivate their understanding of writing and rhetorical arguments through reading, analyzing, and writing texts as they explore topics like rhetorical situation, claims and evidence, reasoning and organization, and style. The course is designed to help students become skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, discipline, and rhetorical contexts and to become skilled writers who can compose for a variety of purposes. Prerequisite: 93 average in Honors English 3 or Honors English 2. Students not enrolled in Honors English who wish to take Advanced Placement English Language and Composition must have an average grade of 85 in AP English Literature and Composition. (NCAA, Communications Concentration)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
This college-level course focuses on reading, analyzing, and writing about literature (fiction, poetry, drama) from various periods and cultural settings. Students engage in close reading and critical analysis of diverse texts to deepen their understanding of how writers use language to suggest meaning. 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 students for the AP English Literature and Composition Exam given in the spring. Prerequisite: 93 average in Honors English 3 or Honors English 2. Students not enrolled in Honors English who wish to take Advanced Placement English Literature must have an average grade of 85 in AP English Language and Composition. (NCAA) 

2.5 Credits 40 Minutes, 1 Semester
Recognizing that being a strong writer is a skill that will take you anywhere. Academic Writing offers students opportunities to experiment with multiple modes of writing. Activities and assignments give students the chance to stitch together various rhetorical elements into coherent, effective writing that demonstrates their own voice. These writing skills extend beyond the English classroom and will benefit student writing performance in a multitude of disciplines, future college courses, and their future career.  Moreover, students will enhance their critical reading, writing, and research skills. (NCAA)
 

5 Credits         80 minutes, 1 Semester

Broadcast Journalism: The Podcast is a project-based, hands-on course designed to acquaint students with the art of the podcast. The course challenges students to think critically about stories they consume, as well as give them a working knowledge of current trends in audio production. Over the course of the semester students will learn to identify potential topics, conduct research, and create engaging content. Students will develop the skills necessary to research, write, produce, and post their own podcasts. Throughout the semester, students will work on their podcast projects, applying the skills learned in a hands-on, practical way. Additionally, the course is designed to strengthen students in several areas including embracing creative risks, being fearless in the face of technical challenges, and working collaboratively to solve problems. The course goal is not to achieve technical perfection, but rather to produce compelling content and examine creative approaches to telling stories.

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
The primary goals of the Film Studies course is to teach appreciation of filmmaking as an art form, critical thinking, formal research, and writing. This course teaches students to approach film analysis using and developing the same skills that are applied to studying literature. The class will screen and analyze full-length films and will read and study a college-level textbook, journal articles and popular reviews. Additionally, students will learn four models of writing about film. This course familiarizes students with basic film production and terminology, it may include a field trip and guest speakers from the professional film world to help elevate the learning and application of concepts.

2.5 Credits 40 Minutes, 1 Semester
Students who have a serious interest in writing creatively will approach writing as a process. They will write daily, analyze the styles of accomplished writers, draw conclusions about the effects of various writing techniques, consider the importance of audience, practice the steps of the process (thinking, reflecting, organizing, writing, and rewriting), and engage in peer editing. Guided practice will focus attention on establishing purpose, controlling dominant impression, and selecting details. They will attend to word choice and sentence structure. Students will write poetry, essays, short narratives, dialogue, play scripts, advertising copy, and letters. A workshop atmosphere presupposes a serious approach to writing, critiquing, and building a portfolio of writing samples. (NCAA)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
Intro to Mass Communications will examine the history and evolution of the major mass communication media: books, newspapers, magazines, radio, recordings, film television, and the Internet, with a focus on their impact on American Society and beyond. Students will analyze the economic, political, cultural, and behavioral impacts of the mass media and new information technologies. A primary aim of this analysis is to recognize and identify the influence of the media on our perceptions, values, behaviors, and the extent of that effective collaboration, and oral discussion. 

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
Journalism 1 introduces students to the historical importance of journalism in America, journalistic ethics, and journalistic style writing. Students will gain a broader understanding of the writing process as it pertains to journalism. Students in this course will learn to write and analyze the traditional core forms of journalism: news writing, feature writing, sports writing, and editorial writing. The course also aims at developing students’ understanding of the impact of technology on journalism. It lays the foundation for students who wish to be published in Notre Dame’s digital student publication, The Voice. The course is designed for the highly motivated and responsible student. Journalism 1 emphasizes skills such as critical thinking, writing, technological awareness, organization and communication, that will contribute to every student being a more well‐rounded member of a literacy‐infused global society. (NCAA)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
Journalism 2 is a self-paced class for those students who wish to continue the study of journalism and journalistic writing. This work-shop style course will provide students with the opportunity to practice and expand the journalism skills learned in Journalism 1.  Students study such topics as in-depth reporting, column and review writing, and broadcast journalism. They learn the concepts of layout and design as they produce their own digital publication. conduct interviews, research, write, and design their own publications. The course emphasizes skills such as critical thinking, writing, technological awareness, organization and communication, that will contribute to every student being a more well‐rounded member of a literacy‐infused global society. Prerequisite: successful completion of Journalism 1. 

2.5 Credits 40 Minutes, 1 Semester
This class is designed to help the student develop the skills necessary for confident, independent public speaking. Students learn the rudiments of effective speech, articulation, projection, rhythm, pace, expression, and posture. (NCAA)

2.5 Credits 40 Minutes, 1 Semester
This class is designed to be a more intense study of public speaking by focusing on speech analysis, preparation, delivery style and listening skills Prerequisite: Public Speaking 1. (NCAA)

5 Credits 80 Minutes, 1 Semester
Experiencing Education is designed to introduce students to the field of education. As we prepare future educators in the 21st century and beyond for the rewards and challenges of education, it is important for us to remember that learners are not buckets to be filled. We are charged with providing the impetus for inspiration. The goal for the course is for students to truly “experience” education which leads to the development of highly effective, accomplished teachers for our nation’s classrooms or lifelong advocates for the education of all children. Experiencing Education is designed in three units of study and includes a field experience. Prerequisite: Open to all Seniors. Students must complete an application. Placement will be determined by department chairperson.

2.5 Credits
The Independent Research Project (IRP) is an experience-based, customizable learning opportunity offered to Juniors and Seniors. It is worth 2.5 credits and has flexible placement during a single school semester, across an entire school year, or in the summer. The IRP is a 1:1 learner-led program in which a teacher/mentor and a student explore an area of interest selected by the student. Under the direction of the mentor, the student studies the selected research area, visits sites related to the subject, completes original research through projects or experimentation, and speaks with professionals in the field. It is a unique opportunity for students to guide their own learning simply by following their passion. This initiative results in student personal growth as well as provides experience worthy of reflection in college essays and interviews.
To be considered for an Independent Research Project, a student must complete a Research Project Proposal and have met with the Experior Program Coordinator. A complete Independent Research Project will include: collecting quality sources, interviewing professionals in the field, completing field-related experiences, visiting a related event or site, and creating an original presentation of the research. This course receives a numeric grade based on rubrics designed collaboratively by the student and the mentor. To serve as examples, past Independent Research Projects have included the following titles: 100 Days of Poetry, A Study of Veteran History, An Original Fashion Collection, Reinventing the Wheel: An Investigation into the Physics of the Bicycle Wheel, The Effects of Yoga on Mental Health, and Climate Change: Teaching Without Bias. (Communications Concentration, Applied Science Concentration)

2.5 Credits 1 Semester
5.0 Credits 2 Semesters
The Senior Professional Internship offers a unique opportunity for motivated students with defined interest to experience a real-world work environment and learn about the key components of a career in a specific field. Students will finish an internship with stronger professional skills and a clearer idea of whether a certain career is a good fit for them. Internships that are available in Notre Dame offices must be scheduled during the school day. Internships that are scheduled off of the Notre Dame campus must take place outside of school hours. (Some exceptions are made for internships in an elementary school setting.) Senior Professional Internships are graded as pass/fail. To pass the internship the following requirements must be met: minimum of 60 on-site hours completed, completed task log, clear communication with intern mentors, respectful and professional behavior onsite at all times, and receiving a passing grade from onsite evaluators on internship rubrics. To apply for an internship, schedule an appointment with the Experior Program Coordinator and complete the program application. Internships require participating in an interview process as there are often more candidates than internship opportunities. Placement in a desired setting cannot be guaranteed. Some onsite settings include: Communications Office, Service Learning Office, Enrollment Management and Marketing Office, Athletic Office. Some offsite settings include: law firms, physical therapist offices, elementary schools and architecture firms. This course will receive a Pass/Fail grade. Prerequisite: GPA average of 85, a School Counselor signature, no significant history of discipline or attendance issues, completed application, and interview. GPA requirement can be waived with a School Counselor recommendation. (Communications Concentration, Applied Science Concentration)