This one-semester senior course focuses on critical reading, writing, and thinking using sources that ensure students will experience a varied range of academic writing.  The course is designed to develop stylistic maturity in writing by using a wide-range of texts which will allow students to become critical readers, thinkers and writers as they become more intellectually engaged. Topics for writing will be developed from reading about and discussing issues under debate in different disciplinary fields and among the general public. Students will discuss and write about these issues and also examine the different analytical frameworks and assumptions that various authors and we ourselves bring to such conversations. Students will also learn to adapt the writing process and apply various organizational strategies to match the purpose of the individual assignments. A research paper serves as the final exam for this course.

This one-semester senior course explores the unique contributions to American literature provided by African American authors. After reading selections from the Harlem Renaissance through the Civil Rights movement to the present, students follow and analyze the literary and social developments through class discussions and writing essays. With some instructional support, students are expected to consistently use critical thinking skills to complete course assignments.

This sophomore course emphasizes writing, vocabulary, close reading, literary analysis, and literary criticism to encourage students to develop an appreciation of American literature. With significant instructional support, students are expected to regularly use critical thinking skills to complete course assignments. A survey of all genres of the various periods of American literature forms the reading segment of the course. A research paper on a literary topic is assigned as part of the writing component. Enrollment in this course is determined by the Director of the O’Shaughnessy Program and the English department chair.

This sophomore course emphasizes writing, vocabulary, close reading, literary analysis, and literary criticism to encourage students to develop an appreciation of American Literature. With scaffolded instructional support, students are expected to consistently use critical thinking skills to complete course assignments. A survey of all genres of the various periods of American literature forms the reading segment of the course. A research paper on a literary topic is assigned as part of the writing component. Students who are enrolled in English Level 1 (E111)  will be enrolled in either Level 3 or Level 6 as determined by the Director of the O’Shaughnessy Program and the English Department Chair.

This sophomore course emphasizes writing, vocabulary, close reading, literary analysis, and literary criticism to encourage students to develop an appreciation of American Literature. With scaffolded instructional support, students are expected to consistently use critical thinking skills to complete course assignments. A survey of all genres of the various periods of American literature forms the reading segment of the course. A research paper on a literary topic is assigned as part of the writing component. Students who are enrolled in English Level 1 (E111)  will be enrolled in either Level 3 or Level 6 as determined by the Director of the O’Shaughnessy Program and the English Department Chair.

This full-year course for seniors is an intensive study of complex texts from a variety of mostly nonfictional rhetorical sources. Students closely read the texts and examine the purpose and strategies of the author, the subject matter, and the audience. Students write extensively in a variety of modes for a range of audiences, honing their skills in the art of synthesis, with the goal of producing a final argumentative research paper. As a prerequisite to the course, students will read two to three complete works over the summer and write an essay about the works in class during the first week of school. The assignment will be announced in May.Students are required to take the national AP exam at the end of the course.

This course offers an intensive study of world literature and the process of analytic writing which prepares the student for the Advanced Placement test in literature and composition. Students are required to take the national AP exam at the end of the course.  In preparation for this course, students must complete a summer reading assignment, to be announced in May. 

This course offers an intensive study of world literature and the process of analytic writing which prepares the student for the Advanced Placement test in literature and composition. Students are required to take the national AP exam at the end of the course.

This junior course emphasizes writing, close reading and the study of literary criticism of all genres of the various periods of British literature. The reading selections provide the basis for analytical and expository writing. A research paper on a literary topic is assigned. With some instructional support, students are expected to consistently use critical thinking skills to complete course assignments.

This full-year, senior, Level 6 course examines the authors, themes, and characters of the “Chicago tradition” in literature from the early twentieth century until the present day. Through discussion of Chicago authors and their work, the class will determine what issues, themes, and concerns may be held in common by Chicago writers. Anticipated issues to be explored include industrialization, immigration, segregation, racism, housing, and the “building, breaking, rebuilding” ongoing transformation of Chicago’s physical, emotional, and social landscape. The course will also discuss Chicago’s situation within American culture, Chicago as a fictional character, and Chicago authors’ love for the city they depict. One goal of the course is that students gain a lifelong appreciation of Chicago literature and the city of Chicago itself. Students will be evaluated based on quizzes on reading, unit tests, formal and informal writing assignments, research projects, individual and group oral presentations, and other relevant and appropriate modes of evaluation.

This one-semester course is for students who wish to explore writing creative fiction, 

non-fiction, drama, and poetry. Students regularly read selections from these genres and create a variety of written products. With some instructional support, students are expected to consistently use critical thinking skills to complete course assignments.

This freshman course includes the following content strands: language, writing, library research, and literature. The course introduces the fundamentals of grammar, usage, vocabulary and spelling, and an introduction to study skills, research techniques, literary genres, and literary terms. With significant instructional support, students are expected to regularly use critical thinking skills to complete course assignments. Enrollment in this course is determined by the Director of the O’Shaughnessy Program and the English department chair.

This freshman course includes the following content strands: language, writing, library research, and literature. This course builds on basic skills and emphasizes the application and analysis of grammar, usage, vocabulary, spelling, study skills, research techniques, literary genres, and literary terms. With some instructional support, students are expected to consistently use critical thinking skills to complete course assignments. Texts will be assigned by the teacher.

This one-semester senior course focuses on contemporary and non-traditional works of literature from a variety of cultures (Asian, African, European, Latino and Middle Eastern).  Works will include novels, poetry, drama, and short stories.  Students will immerse themselves in the various cultures studied and gain an understanding of another world that exists and functions outside of their classrooms, their community and even their continent.  Students regularly compose essays related to the readings.  With some instructional support, students are expected to consistently use critical thinking skills to complete course assignments.

This sophomore course emphasizes writing, vocabulary, close reading, literary analysis, and literary criticism to encourage students to develop an appreciation of American literature. A survey of all genres of the various periods of American Literature forms the reading segment of the course. Students are expected to perform independent inquiry, participate in class, and complete homework and assignments utilizing resourceful, critical and creative thinking. Assessments in this course regularly require application, analysis, and synthesis of content. A research paper on a literary topic is assigned as a part of the writing component. This course prepares students for either Honors British Literature or AP Literature and Composition.

This sophomore course is designed to examine American Literature through the active participation in community-based organizations that allow for a deeper analysis of American society, both past and present, through the lens of hidden voices. Building on the skills gained in E119, this course exposes students to diverse groups facing challenges in both the world and literature, while refining the skills of writing, vocabulary, close reading, literary analysis, and literary criticism. Students are expected to perform independent inquiry, participate in class, and complete homework and assignments utilizing resourceful, critical, and creative thinking. These skills for problem-solving and critical thinking will also be applied in the context of community experiences. Assessments in this course regularly require application, analysis, and synthesis of content. As part of the course, students are required to participate in Arrupe service experiences during both first and second semester. During these service site visits, students will be oriented to the core themes of the course: socioeconomic status, oppression and stereotypes, immigration, war and activism. A research paper on a literary and societal topic is assigned as part of the writing component. This course prepares students for either Honors British Literature or AP Literature and Composition.

This junior course offers a rigorous approach and pacing to writing, close reading, and the study of literary criticism of all genres of the various periods of British literature. Students are expected to perform independent inquiry, participate in class, and complete homework and assignments utilizing resourceful, critical and creative thinking. Assessments in this course regularly require application, analysis, and synthesis of content. The reading selections provide the basis for analytical and expository writing. A research paper on a literary topic is assigned. Successful completion of Honors British Literature is necessary for students considering an Advanced Placement English course in senior year.

This freshman Honors course emphasizes the mastery of grammar, usage, expository and argumentative writing, vocabulary, literary terms, and close reading of all literary genres. Students are expected to perform independent inquiry, participate in class, and complete homework assignments utilizing resourceful, critical, and creative thinking. Assessments in this course require application, analysis, and synthesis of content. Texts will be assigned by the teacher.

This senior course explores the diverse body of literature by Native American writers that draw on the traditions and practices of Western archives and also draw on a variety of Indigenous practices to show the importance of time and place in Native American storytelling. The class will explore the significant issues facing American Indian people on reservations, in cities, and across the nation.  The class will study how Native American writers imagine identity, self, place, nature, and nation while looking closely at celebration, ceremony, and living cultures of Native Americans. The class will situate major historical moments and their effects on Native American culture and identity through a lens that recognizes settler colonialism as a principle of discussion. Students will gain an appreciation of the power of language to bring people together to share our common humanity and be able to apply that experience to academic, cultural, and literary expressions. Primary texts include novels and short stories by Native American and Indigenous writers as well as non-traditional texts like baskets, pottery, beadwork, and land. The first semester exam will ask students to engage in a researched argumentative analysis on the relation between story, time, and place. During the second semester, students will participate in an independent Capstone project on a topic of their interest and choice.

Honors World Literature is a full-year survey of literature for seniors from various cultures and time periods. The course will present the literature of ancient classical societies such as Greece and Rome as well as the literature of South America, Africa and modern European countries. The reading selections will provide the basis for analytical and expository writing. Each student will complete a research paper on a literary topic. The course expects independent inquiry of students who regularly perform in classwork and homework with resourceful, critical and creative thinking. Assessments in this course regularly require application, analysis and synthesis of content.

This one-semester course provides students with the opportunity to explore the field of journalism. It is intended for students who may be interested in a career in journalism. This course will provide students with instruction on the basics of news writing and interviewing. Through the analysis of contemporary journalism, students study the fundamental style and ethics of journalism to create their own pieces for submission to and possible publication in The Prep.

This year long course provides students with the opportunity to explore the field of journalism. It is intended for students interested in working on Loyola’s student newspaper, The Prep, or for those students who may be interested in a career in journalism. This course will provide students with instruction on the basics of news writing, interviewing, legal issues related to journalism, journalism ethics, and media. Through the analysis of contemporary journalism, students study the fundamental style and ethics of journalism to create their own pieces for submission to and possible publication in The Prep. Journalism 1 is open to seniors and will fulfill the requirement for senior year English credit. This course is also open to sophomores and juniors, but it can only be taken as an elective.

Students will continue their study of journalism and their explorations of specific genres within the paper in this year long course. Through the analysis of contemporary journalism, students will continue to hone their journalistic skills and style to create their own pieces of submission to and publication in The Prep. Students will research, write, and edit hard news stories, feature stories (soft news), sports stories, arts and entertainment stories, and editiorials and columns. Students will learn how to run a newsroom for a digital paper in conjunction with the co-curricular newspaper staff. In order to register for Journalism 2, students must have successfully completed Journalism 1 (E186). Journalism 2 is open to underclassmen as an elective only.  Seniors may enroll in Journalism 2 as their required senior English credit.  No potential NCAA athlete should register for Journalism 2.

This one-semester senior course examines in detail the development of the short story as a literary genre from the early nineteenth century to the present. Students are exposed to a wide range of diverse authors with unique literary voices from a variety of cultures. Students regularly compose essays related to the readings. With some instructional support, students are expected to consistently use critical thinking skills to complete course assignments.