Strong candidates  are also recommended for AP Lang. [AP Seminar](https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-seminar) is a foundational course that engages students in cross-curricular conversations that explore the complexities of academic and real-world topics and issues by analyzing divergent perspectives. Using an inquiry framework, students practice reading and analyzing articles, research studies, and foundational, literary, and philosophical texts; listening to and viewing speeches, broadcasts, and personal accounts; and experiencing artistic works and performances. Students learn to synthesize information from multiple sources, develop their own perspectives in written essays, and design and deliver oral and visual presentations, both individually and as part of a team. Ultimately, the course aims to equip students with the power to analyze and evaluate information with accuracy and precision in order to craft and communicate evidence-based arguments.  (Source: The College Board) Recommended Qualities for Course Success: Level of Challenge (1-5) 5 is extremely challenging: 4

[AP Research](https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses/ap-research) allows students to deeply explore an academic topic, problem, or issue of individual interest. Through this exploration, students design, plan, and conduct a year-long research-based investigation to address a research question. In the AP Research course, students further their skills acquired in the AP Seminar course by understanding research methodology employing ethical research practices; and accessing, analyzing, and synthesizing information as they address a research question. Students explore their skill development, document their processes, and curate the artifacts of the development of their scholarly work in a portfolio. Students also work closely with specific experts on their topic to develop their research skills and thinking. The course culminates in an academic paper of approximately 4000-5000 words (accompanied by a performance or exhibition of product where applicable) and presentation with an oral defense. (Source: The College Board)

In African-American Literature, students will engage in grade level Common Core State Standards (CCSS) aligned  reading and writing practices through a wide range of literary and informational texts that builds upon English I and English II. Students will evaluate the multiple vantage points of the African-American experience, issues of representation, and the cultural and historical context of African-American literature. Students will express themselves in multiple writing formats including narratives, investigative reports, literary analyses, and research papers. Across all writing formats, students will write in the conventions of the CCSS writing modes. Students will employ academic English in discussion that align to the CCSS for Speaking & Listening.

In Latin American Literature, students will engage in grade level Common Core State Standards (CCSS) aligned reading and writing practices through a wide range of literary and informational texts that builds upon English I and English II. Students will evaluate the multiple vantage points of the Latin American experience, issues of representation, and the cultural and historical context of Latin American literature. Students will express themselves in multiple writing formats including narratives, investigative reports, literary analyses, and research papers. Across all writing formats, students will write in the conventions of the CCSS writing modes. Students will employ academic English in discussion that align to the CCSS for Speaking & Listening. In an honors class students will be expected to meet the standards with less teacher scaffolding and more collaborative and independent practice. Although students at all levels of learning will have access to rigorous texts and appropriate experiences, honors level courses may include advanced expectations in the following areas: text complexity, complexity of tasks and responses, and pacing. Students in Latin American Lit Honors will participate in a summer reading project. Honors courses are weighted.

An AP course in English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. The purpose of the AP English Language and Composition course is to enable students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers.  Nonfiction-centered curriculum focuses on developing argumentative writing by engaging in synthesis and rhetorical modes.

This course is designated for motivated students entering the 12th grade with a command of standard English, an interest in exploring and analyzing challenging classical and contemporary literature, and a desire to analyze and interpret dominant literary genres and themes. Students learn and apply methods of literary analysis and write with a variety of purposes to increase precision in expression. Students in AP English Literature and Composition will take the National AP Literature & Composition Examination administered each May for the College Board by the Educational Testing Service.

Course Description:Man, Myth, and Monsters through literary analysis. Horror, Mystery, and Gothic Fiction: Using the great works of horror literature as our core texts, students will explore the darker side of humanity, analyzing myths, monsters, and modern psychological thrillers to uncover what our deepest fears reveal about the human condition. Film adaptations and creative projects will complement traditional literary analysis.

In the fiction writing portion of this class, we'll be exploring the craft of fiction in all its thrilling complexities: dialogue, characterization, plot development, pacing, scene construction, suspense, action, heartbreak, paragraphing, word choice, beginnings, endings, etc. Students will practice the fundamentals of fiction while working on short stories, plays, poetry, etc. Standout fiction, nonfiction, and poetry writings completed in this class will be published in the Brooks College Prep Literary Magazine. In the argumentative writing portion of this class, we’ll be studying and critiquing dominant American institutions: institutions that are so entrenched in American life that they control our lives and thought patterns without us completely realizing it; institutions that are so omnipresent that they’ve become “invisible” (the education system, the mass media/smartphones, the criminal justice system, romance/marriage, gender, democracy, etc). We will debate the merits and flaws of these institutions in class discussions and argumentative papers. Creative writing will support the development of narrative writing as identified in the CCSS.

College credit is awarded with the successful completion of this English Class!  Yes, the course satisfies the high school credit for senior English and also allows students to earn a college credit through the City Colleges of Chicago.  Although similar to Advanced Placement offerings, this course assures that students will learn and apply composition, reading, conversational, and technological skills while addressing relevant and contemporary topics and readings.  Students will complete a writing exam and submit a final portfolio, in addition to maintaining a C or higher in the course to receive college credit.

In English I students will engage in grade level Common Core State Standards (CCSS) aligned reading and writing practices, through a wide range of literary and informational texts to bridge their learning from middle school to high school. Students will engage in practices to support their emerging mastery of the CCSS for writing in their grade band, and express themselves in multiple writing formats including narratives, investigative reports, literary analyses, and research papers. Across all writing formats, students will write in the conventions of the CCSS writing modes. Students in English I will employ academic English in discussion that align to CCSS for Speaking & Listening.

In English II, students will engage in grade level Common Core State Standards (CCSS) aligned reading and writing practices, through a wide range of literary and informational texts that will build upon English I. Students will engage in practices to support their mastery of the CCSS for Writing in their grade band, and express themselves in multiple writing formats including narratives, investigative reports, literary analyses, and research papers. Across all writing formats, students will write in the conventions of the CCSS writing modes. Students in English II will employ academic English in discussion that align to CCSS for Speaking & Listening.

In English III, students will engage in grade level Common Core State Standards (CCSS) aligned reading and writing practices, through a wide range of literary and informational texts that will emphasize college and career preparation. Students will engage in practices to support their emerging mastery of the CCSS for Writing in their grade band, and express themselves in multiple writing formats including narratives, investigative reports, literary analyses, and research papers. Across all writing formats, students will write in the conventions of the CCSS writing modes. Students in English III will employ academic English in discussion that align to CCSS for Speaking & Listening.