Northstar Academy

English 30-1

Course name and abbreviation:

English 30-1 

Grade Level:

Grade 12

Summary of course content and activities:

In English 30, we study a variety of literary texts and respond personally and critically, developing our abilities to comprehend and understand the author's purpose and the choices he or she made in creating those works. We develop our own creative and analytical writing skills. Upon completion of this course, students will be prepared to write the Alberta diploma examination.

Who should be taking this course? For whom is this course designed and intended?

This is an academic course for the grade 12 student who
  • Has successfully completed English 20 with at least a mark of 65%.
  • Is intending to graduate from NorthStar Academy, or any other high school, with an academic diploma
  • Is intending to pursue university, college, or vocational training upon graduation from high school.

Philosophy statement for and/or behind teaching this course:

To many people literature is reading. Reading; however, is not literature: it is simply the process through which we experience literature. Literature is a gift from God. Through literature God enables man to communicate, not only his experiences but also his ideas, feelings, and beliefs. We should not merely read literature to escape from the world. Rather we should use literature as a vehicle to encounter the world. Literature can put us face to face with man in his world - man that acts both in ways pleasing to God and in ways displeasing to God. Literature can help us to know more about creation, our fellow man, God, and ourselves. Good literature causes us to think.

Major course goals

  • Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences.
  • Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to comprehend literature and other texts in oral, print, visual and multimedia forms, and respond personally, critically and creatively.
  • Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to manage ideas and information.
  • Students will listen, speak, read, write, view and represent to create oral, print, visual and multimedia texts, and enhance the clarity and artistry of communication.

Pre-requisite(s):

English 20 

Number of credits that this course is worth

5 

Materials and resources provided by NSA, purchased by student, and/or recommended:

Provided by NSA:

    Great Expectations
    Life is Beautiful
    Hamlet
    Literary Experiences - Vol 2
    The Key Study Guide

Recommended but not required:
 
    Hard copy Dictionary and Thesaurus
    Writer's Handbook 

Forecasted amount of time required to complete each week's lesson:

6-7 hours  

Description of student evaluations, quizzes, and tests:

    Course Work          =   85%
    Tests                       =   15%
    Total Course Mark = 100%

Provincial Final Exam Mark (50% of the final mark)

Additional activities:

Participation in the group discussions is mandatory and calculated as part of the course grade.

Criteria for teacher approval of and willingness to grant assignment/test extensions to students: 

For more information on the school's policies concerning extensions and completion, please refer to the school policy document.

NorthStar Academy Canada
#107, 1001 - 20th Avenue, Didsbury, AB
Email: cdninfo@nsaschool.ca
1-403-335-9587
1-877-335-1171 (toll free)
1-403-335-9513 (fax)