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English Overview Merrol
Hyde Magnet School
English Department Overview
The English/Language Arts program at Merrol Hyde Magnet School
follows the Paideia philosophy of Mortimer Adler and therefore
focuses on great classical literature as well as student writing
and presentation. It is our goal to not only expose students to
literature but also to help them in finding their own voices so
that they learn to effortlessly communicate their own ideas.
Students take advanced honors level classes in their freshmen
and sophomore years which are on an AP vertical track leading
toward the AP exam in literature during their senior year.
Students do have the choice to complete dual enrollment classes
through Volunteer State Community College during their junior
year. This is an honors level class in which students can gain
college credit.
Following the Paideia philosophy of educating the whole child,
students will participate in seminars and coached projects. Also
they will create an MLA or APA formatted research paper each
year, and all classes are rich in SAT vocabulary. Literature for
each year is arranged chronologically so that classes build upon
each other and incorporate history and philosophy into the study
of literature. Students will have a better understanding of the
purpose of communication as literature is presented within
context rather than as a separate entity. While the content of
classes may vary from year to year based upon teacher
discretion, the arrangement of courses is as follows:*
9th grade
English I Foundations of Western Civilizations
Through this introduction to such great authors as Plato, Homer,
Virgil, and Dante, students will discover the Greek and Roman
influences upon modern methods of speaking and writing as well
as culture. They will come to understand the effect of the
development of Christianity upon the western canon as well as
the progression and development of the English language.
10th grade
English II Foundations of British Literature
Students move more deeply into the progression of the English
language as they study the development of old and middle English
and move on to the modern English of Shakespeare. They also
learn of the progression of the English people and gain a
greater understanding of the effects of political and social
events on literature.
11th grade
English III Foundations of American Literature
Although students will not take the AP exam until their senior
year, this class is considered an AP level class, and while
students continue to develop SAT vocabulary and test taking
skills, the focus shifts towards success on the AP exam in
literature. This class is an in-depth look at what makes
American literature American. Students will look at the growing
pains of our young country through its literature. Students will
take sample AP exams and focus on writing technical essays on
literary topics.
12th grade
English IV Introduction to 20th century World Literature
Like English III, this class focuses on the AP exam in
literature and writing for that exam. In an attempt to better
understand our increasingly shrinking world and the new much
discussed “globalized economy”, students will survey works from
around the world. Translations will be utilized, but also, many
students in upper level language classes may take the
opportunity to read a classic in its original French or Spanish.
Some authors to be studied my include Allende, Joyce, Yeats,
Neruda, and Camus. As in English III students will take sample
AP exams and focus on writing technical essays on literary
topics.
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