The English curriculum consists of a broad array of offerings meant to appeal to all types of students.  From classics to contemporary works, connections to student lives are emphasized to make all literature relevant, and an essential component within each course is the dedication to offer student choice.  The goal is for students to develop an appreciation for and enjoyment of the language arts that follows them throughout their lives.

 

The communication skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening are essential for meeting the social, cultural, and economic challenges in today’s society. To think clearly and creatively and to express ideas effectively are essential. The goal of the English Department is to develop these skills to the fullest extent in all students and to assist them in becoming insightful, analytical, and responsible communicators.

 

The English Department dedicates itself to teaching the skills which are integral to developing critical thinkers who can read, analyze, understand, and interpret a variety of texts using appropriate strategies.  When researching, students use inquiry to acquire and assess information from a variety of sources to then organize, analyze, evaluate, and support their arguments.  Media literacy teaches students to recognize biases, understand context, evaluate information, and understand the messages being sent in order to be wiser consumers of information in an increasingly complex digital age.

 

Offering a diverse literary experience which presents varying perspectives encourages students to become actively engaged, thinking persons in a complex, dynamic world.  From the richness of ideas explored in the study of literature, students can recognize and empathize with the variety of human experiences and gain an understanding of the common bonds we all hold and the enduring power of the human mind and spirit.