Requirements:

Seton Keough students must complete four credits in English.

The English Department of Seton Keough High School strives to prepare young women for the academic challenges of college as well as to empower them as articulate and effective members of modern society. Our curriculum includes a rigorous writing program, which is complemented by a systematic study of literature and grammar. A strong summer reading program provides an incentive to study classic novels during the off months to anticipate the reading curriculum of the ensuing school year.

Ninth Grade Genres of Literature and Composition:
Freshman English includes the study of drama, poetry, short fiction and the novel as well as literary criticism; a Shakespearean play is included in the drama unit. Stress is also placed on grammar, usage, vocabulary, writing and oral presentations. This class is offered at four levels, including honors.

Tenth Grade American Literature and Composition:
This sophomore course includes the study of American Literature and an emphasis on writing essays of various types. Vocabulary, grammar, and oral presentations will also be stressed. This survey course will examine the American heritage and the developments of U. S. literature from colonial times to the modern era through the study of fiction, poetry, drama, and a major American novel. This course is offered at four levels, including honors.

Eleventh Grade British Literature and Composition:
This junior level course will analyze the important and outstanding British short fiction, drama, non-fiction, and poetry from Beowulf through the twentieth century writers. This course will analyze the literary, historical and cultural periods of England to give the student insight into English as a language and as a major literary force. The focus of the writing program will be the research essay. This course is offered at four levels, including honors.

Twelfth Grade World Literature and Composition:
This course provides an opportunity for students to examine the attitudes and customs of many cultures throughout history as well as major events, authors, and genres from the time of the earliest surviving writings until the present day. There will be vocabulary and grammar review; writing assignments will include short critical essays and a research project. This class is offered at four levels, including honors.

The A. P. Class is conducted in a seminar format with course material arranged to emphasize the development of critical thinking skills necessary for analyzing literature, both in speaking and writing. Course content includes individual works of world literature. A research essay is assigned each quarter. Students take Advanced Placement Exam in English Literature and Composition in May.

Electives:

The English Department currently offers electives in Speech, Writing for College, and School Publications. Our Publications class is responsible for the school newspaper, The Balance, the yearbook Phoenix, and the literary magazine The Odyssey.

Clubs:

Members of the English Department currently moderate the Drama Club, Vincentian Youth Outreach, and The National Honor Society.

Questions and Answers about the English Curriculum at Seton Keough:

1. How is my daughter’s placement in English determined?
   The Department looks at all aspects of a student’s prior performance, including grades from seventh and eighth grade; HTS and other standardized test scores when available; letters of recommendation; and performance on the Department’s diagnostic essay for Honors.
   
   
2. How does Seton Keough’s Summer Reading Program work?
   Students at all levels select novels from the Department’s list for each grade and read at least three novels over the summer. Students are then given short assessments and/or assigned projects on the books they have chosen, as part of their first quarter grade for the new school year.
   
   
3. What kind of English classes are available as electives to students during their junior and senior years?
   Elective courses in Writing, News Journalism, Speech, and Yearbook Production, are staffed by members of the English Department and are offered regularly as either semester or year-long courses. Members of the Department also moderate the school’s Literary Magazine club (Odyssey), and Drama Club.