English

Introduction
The Bellarmine English Department educates in the belief that all the essential components of life individual and social, historical and scientific, cultural and spiritual are experienced through the study of literature. During the eight semesters required, the department is committed to developing students who read, reflect, speak, and write both critically and creatively. The department offers a program whose progression of courses challenges students to develop both oral and compositional skills, as well as an understanding for and appreciation of a variety of lives, cultures, and philosophies.

English Honors Program
The English Department's Honors and AP Program is designed to provide a rigorous course of study for students who enjoy discussing and analyzing literature. Students are placed in English Honors during the freshman and sophomore years based on test scores, writing samples and teacher recommendations. English Language AP (11) and English Literature AP (12) are open to all interested students. We request that students complete a brief reflection form prior to course enrollment.

JUNIOR ENGLISH ELECTIVE PROGRAM
Bellarmine juniors are required to take one English course per semester. The junior year requires continuing work in vocabulary, in composition (critical, creative, & research), and in literary analysis. Junior English courses are divided into two categories (A&B). All juniors not in English Language AP must choose at least one course from category "A" when picking their two English courses. They may, of course, choose both from "A" if they wish.

"A": British Literature I or British Literature II

"B": Comedy and Tragedy, Literature of War, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, Modern Literary Genres, and Modern Media Literature.

SENIOR ENGLISH ELECTIVE PROGRAM
The elective program in English for offers a wide variety of courses for student selection. These offerings range from basic surveys, to thematically organized courses, to special seminars on specific authors, with each course covering approximately five major works and several minor works per semester. The typical composition students write at this level is approximately three pages in length. Students are expected to write four such essays per semester. They also study topics such as outlining, introductions, and conclusions, transitions, and parallel structure designed to develop specific skills necessary to the writing of effective essays. All seniors not in English Literature AP must choose two semester-long electives.