Length/Credit: 1 year/1.0 credit
Note: Students in English 9 may earn an Honors designation, as outlined at the start of the school year.
Description: The readings and compositions for this yearlong course revolve around the theme of coming-of-age. They include examples from all the major genres: novels, plays, short stories, nonfiction, and poetry. Emphasis will be on sympathetic and critical reading of texts. Students will practice different modes of writing, including narrative, literary analysis, and research. Students will develop literary thinking, writing, and speaking skills through daily exercises and assignments.
Length/Credit: 1 year/1.0 credit
Note: Students in English 10 may earn an Honors designation, as outlined at the start of the school year.
Description: In this course, designed to complement Modern World History, students will focus on the legends, epics and contemporary fiction of other cultures. In the first semester, the course focuses on fiction and nonfiction related to mythology, the Middle East, and Asia. In the second semester, students will investigate world literature from Latin America, Africa, and Europe. Students will become more aware and question their assumptions as we explore the values we all share, as well as differences in cultures. Students will practice different modes of writing from literary essays and persuasive writing to narrative fiction.
(students must select one of these two options to meet graduation requirements):
Length/Credit: 1 year/1.0 credit
Note: Honors American Studies is taught in a block class, team-teaching model, covering both English and Social Studies content (American Literature and U.S. History) for two class periods each semester. Upon successful completion of the course, students will earn 1.0 Social Studies credit and 1.0 English credit. The block course fulfills State of Washington requirements for US History/Government and one credit of 11th grade English.
Description: Honors American Studies is designed to acquaint students with American literature, history, and culture, to better understand the past in order to prepare them to participate thoughtfully in society. Students will read a variety of texts, including novels, plays, poems, historical documents, and essays. Students will learn to evaluate alternative interpretations of events and effectively consult and analyze primary and secondary pieces. Students will improve their ability to create and defend a thesis in writing, and develop their ability to communicate effectively in small groups, large seminars and in oral final exams.
Length/Credit: 1 year/1.0 credit
Note: American Literature fulfills the graduation requirement for one credit of 11th grade English.
Description: This course explores what it means to be an American and how literature reflects a complex intersection of social, historical, economic, and cultural forces that shape the United States. As we consider diverse American communities and experiences, we interrogate the meaning of “America” itself: What does it mean to claim an American identity, and how have American writers interpreted their cultural contexts? Our work together covers a core group of literary texts — fiction, poetry, drama, and literary nonfiction — and focuses on improving students’ skills in writing, reading, critical thinking, and speaking.
Length/Credit: 1 year/1.0 credit
Note: This course is open to students in grades 11 or 12; however, it does not replace American Studies in the 11th grade year. Students are required to take the AP English Literature & Composition Exam in May.
Description: The class focuses on close critical reading of important literary works, from Renaissance poetry to contemporary experimental prose in order to develop college-level skills of literary analysis and composition. Students should expect a demanding curriculum of reading, writing and discussion. Students will emerge from this yearlong class with the tools to succeed on the AP Literature and Language exams, an appreciation of classic literature, and the skills of an introductory college literature course. Some colleges may give credit for a passing grade on the AP test.
**Advanced Placement Course Fee: There is a fee for AP Exam, determined by The College Board each year. BHS has scholarship funds available to students to cover this fee as needed. Students enrolled in an AP class will be required to take the Advanced Placement examination in May. College credits may be granted based upon individual performance on this test and the policy of the college attended.
Length/Credit: 1 year/1.0 credit
Prerequisite: Successful completion of American Studies
Note: This course is open to students in grade 12 as an English elective. Humanities is taught in a 2- period block class. Upon successful completion of the course, students will earn 1.0 Social Studies credit and 1.0 English credit. This is a year-long course with challenging texts. It may not be dropped at mid-year without the instructor’s recommendation.
Description: Humanities is an interdisciplinary, team-taught honors seminar that engages students in timeless human questions: Do humans have free will? How do we know what we know? What is justice? What constitutes legitimate power? What is the nature of the divine? How can we live virtuous lives? Is there absolute truth? The structure of the course is that of a college seminar, with students reading challenging texts and using class discussion to better understand the works themselves, the issues they explore, and what they reveal about humanity. Readings come from some of the world’s most revered texts, ranging from Plato’s Republic to Dostoevsky’s Notes from Underground, and assessments focus on critical analysis of complex text and ideas. Most importantly, students engage daily in critical, relevant and thought-provoking discussion, eventually coming to answer some of humanity’s most important questions themselves. Humanities is considered by former students to be excellent preparation for college and for life itself.
NOTE: The English elective courses listed below, originally designed as senior-level English courses, are now open to students in grades 10 and 11 (see “note” for each course). The approved texts for these courses were chosen for older students and therefore in requesting these courses you indicate your understanding that texts will not be substituted or altered for younger students.
Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 credit
Note: This course is open to students in grades 11 or 12; however, it does not replace American Studies in the 11th grade year. Students interested in enrolling in Contemporary Literature for the 11th grade year must get a recommendation from current English 10 teacher.
Description: The readings for this course explore a wide range of novels, memoirs, short stories and essays which focus on contemporary issues, including questions of identity, and relationships with others and society. Discussions often revolve around essential moral questions facing students in the contemporary world. Writing will include personal memoirs, literary analysis, persuasive essays and book reviews. This course will advance students’ ability to analyze literature sensitively and intelligently and to write confidently and fluently by reflecting on a wide range of texts.
Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 credit
Note: This course is open to students in grades 10, 11 or 12; however, it does not replace English 10 or American Studies in the 11th grade year and priority is given to seniors. It can be taken concurrently with grade-level English courses.
Description: Creative Writing is a workshop for students who have mastered basic writing skills and who want to explore and express themselves through creative fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. One half of the semester focuses on flash fiction and other longer exploration pieces. The other half of the semester is an introduction to poetry - everything from spoken word poetry to formal poetry form. Students will produce an online portfolio of both poetry and flash fiction. Students will be required to share writing with classmates and peer edit work. Participation and constructive criticism is crucial to develop and succeed as a writer in this course.
Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 credit
Note: This course is open to students in grades 11 or 12; however, it does not replace American Studies in the 11th grade year, and can be taken concurrently. Students interested in enrolling in Film Studies & Composition for the 11th grade year must get a recommendation from current English 10 teacher.
Description: In this language arts elective, students will examine the role of film as a distinct form of communication by studying its history; screenplays; visual media techniques (such as editing, sound, and lighting); fictional and dramatic elements (such as character and theme development); and significant genres (such as film noir and comedy). Students will learn the vocabulary of film, how to view films actively and critically, and how to discuss film in depth. Students will write personal responses to films, critical reviews, analytical essays, and an original screenplay. They will also read articles, essays, screenplays, reviews and assigned chapters from the course textbook, The Art of Watching Films 7th edition, Boggs and Petrie. Assessments include chapter quizzes, unit exams, essays, discussions and presentations.
Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 credit
Note: This course is open to students in grades 11 or 12; however, it does not replace American Studies in the 11th grade year, and can be taken concurrently. Students interested in enrolling in Mystery, Horror, and Science Fiction for the 11th grade year must get a recommendation from current English 10 teacher.
Description: This course will delve into the science fiction, horror, and mystery genres. Students will look at how these genres are marketed to the adolescent and how their culture responds to these ideas, images, and values. Ideally, this course will arouse your curiosity, explore the inexplicable, predict the unpredictable, and satisfy your yearnings for the horrific, the mysterious, and the future in a variety of literary forms. Students will also read works with a political and sociological focus that question how these novels provide a blend of entertainment and unique role models. Discussions will expand beyond the literary aspects and into ethical discussions about the advancements of science, art, and myth and their effects on humankind. Assignments include quizzes, exams, essays, and lots of reading.
Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 credit
Note: This course is open to students in grade 12.
Description: Do you need a resume for that job that you really want? Do you want to write to communicate and impress your boss with your knowledge? Are you feeling driven to write your congressional representative? Students will practice writing and speaking professionally through discussions, presentations, role-playing and reading and writing activities that mirror real-world communication. Students will also hone their skills in media literacy and critical thinking about information sources.
Length/Credit: 1 semester/0.5 credit (each) or 1 year/1.0 credit
Note: This course is open to students in grades 9-12. Students may earn elective credit (does not count towards English credit graduation requirement) or Occupational Education credit. Students may take one semester (Fall) or the full year of Journalistic Writing (Fall & Spring). This course may be repeated.
Description: This course replaces the previous “Newspaper Staff” course. Students will gain journalistic writing skills and run student news publications for Bainbridge High School. In addition to writing and publication, the course will also focus on journalistic history, media ethics, and media literacy. If interested, please request this course and you will be contacted in the late spring by the instructor with more information.