1. All students should come to class on time prepared to learn.
2. All exchanges will be respectful and class/school appropriate.
3. All classwork is due at the end of class unless otherwise noted by the teacher.
4. Students will refrain from use of all earphone and cellphone usage in the class.
5. Students will refrain from eating or drinking anything other than water in the class.
6. Students will use facilities before or after class unless there is an emergency.
7. No profanity or inappropriate topic conversation will be tolerated in the class setting.

In Freshman Literature and Composition 150 students will use single focus texts each quarter to study the major literary genres in-depth. Students will closely examine, through reading, research, and writing, each work’s historical context, themes, and literary elements. The guiding question around which each quarter's work is built will be, “Who am I, and what does it mean to be a part of a society?” Built around the focus texts will be a variety of other, shorter works representing a wide range of genres and viewpoints that support and supplement students' exploration. Throughout students will write in the following rhetorical modes: Summary and paraphrase, Autobiographical narrative, Expository, Persuasive/Argumentative, and Creative. In addition, fundamental vocabulary words/skills and key research concepts will be applied. Where feasible and appropriate, the curriculum will recommend connections to concepts and texts taught in American Government 150.

In World Literature & Composition 250, Students will continue building upon the habits of mind established in Freshman Literature & Composition 100, as they probe literature more deeply to understand increasingly complex philosophies and perspectives, extending their exploration of self and society. The guiding question for World Literature will be, “What does it mean to be a part of this world? What stories and struggles help define the human experience?” Major works will be supplemented with mythology, short fiction essays, and poetry representing major cultures, philosophies, and genres. Throughout students will write in the following rhetorical modes: Summary and Paraphrase, Comparison/Contrasts, Persuasive, Expository, and Classification. Vocabulary words/skills and fundamental research concepts will continue to spiral upward throughout the course. Where feasible and appropriate, the curriculum will recommend connections to concepts and texts taught in World History 250.

In American Literature & Composition 350 students focus will shift to the story of American society. The guiding question for American Literature & Composition 300 will be, “Who are we as a people?’ and “What does it mean to be American?” Students will examine what literary history tells us about changes in American society and the people who live here; shifting social values, emerging social movements, and ongoing struggles. The course will take a largely chronological perspective that corresponds closely to American history. Major works will be supplemented with short fiction and nonfiction essays, as well as poetry written by significant American writers. Throughout students will write in the following rhetorical modes: Summary and paraphrase, Literary analysis, Problem-Solution, Expository, and Persuasive. Vocabulary words/skills and research concepts will continue to spiral upward, with an emphasis on media literary and research-based literary analysis. Where feasible and appropriate, the curriculum will recommend connections to concepts and texts taught in American History 350.

In English Literature and Composition , students will round out their study of Communication Arts by turning their attention to the works of English speaking cultures, starting with the literature of Great Britain and spreading out across the globe. Guiding questions in English literature will be, “What is ‘English,’ how has English affected the world, and how has the world affected English?” The course will examine British literature as well as works representing the Commonwealth. The course will take a combined chronological, thematic and cultural approach. Major works will be supplemented with mythology, short fiction essays, and poetry representing significant writers, philosophies, and cultural perspectives. Throughout students will write in the following rhetorical modes: Summary and paraphrase, Informative (research-based project), Persuasive, Comparison/Contrast, Cause and Effect. Research-related skills and concepts will compromise and important part of the course, with particular emphasis on integrating researched information with students own ideas and writings; quoting from and citing sources; and creating a Works Cited page.