Course Title: Creating a Just American and Global Economy
Formerly known as “Humanities,” this class will prepare you to take the Advanced Placement (AP) Language and Composition test in the spring. Whereas most of the English classes you’ve taken have focused primarily on literary analysis, AP Language involves the study of rhetoric. Thus, we will primarily study nonfiction texts, though you will still read some poetry, drama, and fiction. Your study of rhetoric will focus particularly on close reading skills of different texts for rhetorical strategies. In terms of writing, you will engage in a variety of different writing exercises, not just the traditional essay. Throughout the year, we will spend extensive time reviewing, sharing, and sometimes adopting successful strategies and texts. In order to further discussion and thought about writing, as well as to share your skills with the Moeller community, you will also take part in working through our Writing Center. In keeping with the tradition of Humanities, you’ll also view two plays throughout the year at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.
In terms of content, after we spend the first few weeks honing skills necessary for the class, the course is organized thematically; thus, texts will deal with different social / societal issues that will prompt discussion and debate via Socratic Seminar. In keeping with Moeller’s all-school interdisciplinary effort, our primary focus will be on immigration and the economy; thus, assignments throughout the year will typically connect with issues related to immigration.
Overall, our course of study is guided by a number of different standards: State of Ohio Board of Education, AP, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and, of course, the five characteristics of a Marianist Education. When you leave this class, you should be able to succeed in the AP test and in college-level writing, as well as to use writing for your own purposes beyond the classroom—in a sense, to become an educated citizen of the world who can think, write and discuss in complexity.
Learning Objectives:
In terms of content, after we spend the first few weeks honing skills necessary for the class, the course is organized thematically; thus, texts will deal with different social / societal issues that will prompt discussion and debate via Socratic Seminar. In keeping with Moeller’s all-school interdisciplinary effort, our primary focus will be on immigration and the economy; thus, assignments throughout the year will typically connect with issues related to immigration.
Overall, our course of study is guided by a number of different standards: State of Ohio Board of Education, AP, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), and, of course, the five characteristics of a Marianist Education. When you leave this class, you should be able to succeed in the AP test and in college-level writing, as well as to use writing for your own purposes beyond the classroom—in a sense, to become an educated citizen of the world who can think, write and discuss in complexity.
Learning Objectives:
- To analyze texts based upon the often complex interaction among speaker, audience, and message
- To craft your own argumentative and expository writing according to that triad
- To engage in thoughtful, democratic dialogue about complex issues, particularly immigration, education, community, the economy, gender, sports, the environment, popular culture, the environment, and politics.
- To study and apply rhetorical strategies in writing, both on the word/sentence and structural levels, so as to achieve a desired purpose.
- To understand and to apply different models of argument, utilizing experience, readings, and research both to bolster and to challenge the validity of claims.
- To become reflective of your own writing practices.
- To evaluate sources and to incorporate them into your own researched writing.
- To increase and diversify your vocabulary so as to add depth to your writing.
- To hone your public speaking skills through formal and informal speeches.