English

Pius XI’s English curriculum is designed to not only hone students’ analysis and writing abilities, but also

emphasizes diverse perspectives in literature and those problem-solving and social skills critical for success in

today’s changing, global society. Pius XI students are required to successfully complete at least four credits of

English prior to graduation.

Download our Curriculum Guide for more details and graduation requirements.

Courses Offered

105 – English 9 (1 credit) 

In this yearlong, introductory English course, students will be exposed to a variety of literary classics in multiple genres: short stories, novels, plays, and poetry. Featured texts include, but are not limited to, Lorraine Hansberry's, A Raisin in the Sun, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, and Langston Hughes’, Thank You, Ma’am. Students will also master the essential skills necessary to craft complex paragraphs and essays. These fundamental reading and writing skills are an integral and vital component of all subsequent English courses.

104 - Accelerated English 9 (1 credit) 

This foundational course is designed for the freshman students who demonstrate ability and proficiency in reading and writing. The accelerated course is faster- paced, with more complex literature studied as compared to the standard English 9 course. Featured texts include, but are not limited to, Sandra Cisneros, A House on Mango Street, Markus Zusak’s, The Book Thief, and two independent novel selections. PREREQUISITE: Top 75th percentile of class on English Entrance Exam.

181 – English 10 (1 credit) 

Students will have the opportunity to read a variety of fiction and nonfiction texts and will be encouraged to connect their reading to themselves, other content discipline areas, other fiction and nonfiction texts, and ultimately to their larger global community. In addition, students will learn a variety of different essay modes including argumentative, persuasive, analytical, reader response, narrative, expository, and research writing.

180 – ACCELERATED ENGLISH 10  1.0 credit 

In this semester-long sophomore writing course, students will be given the opportunity to hone the writing skills established during freshman year, while broadening students’ exposure to the myriad styles and genres of writing. Emphasis will be placed on writing with clarity, voice, organization, purpose, and audience. Students will become familiar with writing as a process, with peer evaluations and revision an integral part of class time. PREREQUISITE: Accelerated English 9 or Department Approval.
 

172 RESEARCH AND PRESENTATION SKILLS  0.5 credit 

This course prepares students for a variety of academic and formal situations in which presentations or public speaking is required. Students who intend on pursuing a career that will require an emphasis on professional communication, such as law, medicine, sales, or education would benefit from this class. Students, who feel self-conscious about their public speaking skills and are looking to improve before graduation, would greatly benefit from enrolling. Topics covered will include reducing speech anxiety, interviewing skills, conflict resolution, techniques of oral presentation, and tips for writing a college admissions essay.

PREREQUISITE: Junior/Senior Course or Department Approval.

171 - CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE  0.5 credit 

Juniors and seniors who take this semester-long course will analyze contemporary fiction and apply myriad approaches to literary interpretation. Featured literature selections include Yann Martel’s, Life of Pi and Anthony Burgess’, A Clockwork Orange. Students will also be challenged to fine-tune their digital literacy by interpreting literature through audiovisual writing. Students will depict their close readings and critical analysis of texts through sound, lyrics, and fine art, ultimately devising a product that blends their visual and audio interpretations of the feeling and imagery of the text into a single product. PREREQUISITE: Junior/Senior Course or Department Approval.

173 - CREATIVE WRITING  0.5 credit 

This course is designed for juniors and seniors who enjoy writing as a form of art and personal expression. In this course, students will explore the elements of numerous literary genres (short fiction, poetry, drama, film) and the power of both print and multimedia formats. To develop original writing pieces, students will engage in writing work- shops, literary element development lessons, writing/author studies, and peer reviews and conferences. To show evidence of writing development throughout the course, students will be required to engage in writing community activities that require sharing one’s work and in publishing one’s writing beyond the classroom setting. PREREQUISITE: Junior/Senior Course or Department Approval.

163 - WOMEN’S VOICES IN LITERATURE  0.5 credit 

This one-semester course examines contemporary literature (short stories, novels, memoirs, and poetry) by women writers including Octavia Butler and Lindy West, who come from diverse social, cultural, economic, and personal perspectives. Students will become acquainted with the contribution of these women writers to the English literary tradition, with a particular focus on literature of dissent. Juniors and seniors who take this course can expect to complete rigorous reading and writing assignments, as well as participate in thoughtful class discussions, on a daily basis. PREREQUISITE: Junior/Senior Course or Department Approval.

174 - MULTICULTURAL LITERATURE  0.5 credit

 In this one-semester course, you will examine literature from Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and/or Asian authors. The course will focus on diverse approaches to the themes of ancestry, family, authority, freedom and love. Multicultural Literature is intended to expand the horizons of our students, who, in previously literature classes, have been predominantly exposed to the literature from European backgrounds. PREREQUISITE: Junior/Senior Course or Department Approval.

121 – SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY  0.5 credit

This one semester course offers an immersive exploration into the captivating realms of Science Fiction and Fantasy literature, providing you with a unique opportunity to delve into imaginative worlds and speculative futures. Through a diverse selection of novels, short stories, and critical essays, students will analyze the thematic elements, literary techniques, and cultural significance inherent in these genres. This course is designed to foster a love for imaginative storytelling, encourage critical thinking, and provide students with a broader perspective on the possibilities and implications of speculative fiction.

PREREQUISITE: Junior/Senior Course or Department Approval

150 - AP ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND COMPOSITION  1.0 credit 

In this AP English Language and Composition course, students will study the use of language through various forms. The primary goal of this course is to analyze the author’s purpose by engaging in conversation through texts of various disciplines. Through the study of rhetoric, students will develop the ability to analyze effectively language in a variety of forms such as argumentative, synthesis, and rhetorical analysis. While interacting with the author’s purpose of the text, the students will also discern how the author uses language to convey this message to the audience. Students will be required to brainstorm, create outlines, revise through several drafts, and utilize the Pius XI Writing Center regularly to engage in conversation about their writing. These conversations through writing are an integral component of the course and will be practiced through writing circles, peer conferences, and teacher conferences. PREREQUISITE: Academic record in previous English courses, an application and essay will be reviewed for acceptance into the course. To have a successful, complete experience in this AP course, students must complete the AP English Language & Composition Exam. Applications and acceptance into the program is required.

155 - AP ENGLISH LITERATURE AND COMPOSITION  1.0 credit

This yearlong course is designed for seniors who have shown exceptional interest and ability in the study of literature and writing. AP Literature and Composition is a rigorous course, which relies on the dedication and active participation of each student involved. The novels, short stories, plays and poems are college-level texts, as recommended by the College Board. College credit may be earned by completing the course and the AP Literature exam in the spring. PREREQUISITE: Academic record in previous English courses, an application and essay will be reviewed for acceptance into the course. To have a successful, complete experience in this AP course, students must complete the AP English Literature & Composition Exam. Applications and acceptance into the program is required.

253 – VISUAL JOURNALISM (formerly YEARBOOK)  0.5 credit 

Visual Journalism is a dynamic and comprehensive high school course designed to introduce students to the exciting world of journalistic storytelling through visual media. This course blends the principles of journalism with the power of visual communication, equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to convey information, evoke emotions, and tell compelling stories through images. By the end of the course, students will not only have acquired practical skills in visual journalism but will also develop a critical understanding of the ethical and societal implications of their work. The end result will be the creation of the school’s yearbook. This course counts as an elective credit. PREREQUISITE: Sophomore, Junior, or Senior standing. Application required.

WRITING CENTER TUTOR PROGRAM  0.5 credit/SEM 

As a Pius XI writing tutor, students work with writers through any stage of the writing process on all forms of writing. Writing tutors engage in discussion that revolves around the formation of ideas and the structure of writing. Throughout this course, students not only help others to become better writers, but also, in turn, become better writers themselves. Writing tutors allocate 10 mods per cycle in their schedule for tutoring. PREREQUISITE: Completion of the writing tutor training before 1st year as a writing tutor; Junior or Senior standing course during the summer. Elective - Does not count toward English requirement for graduation. Application required.

WRITING TUTOR SUMMER TRAINING PROGRAM  0.5 credit

This is a required course for students, before their junior or senior year, who have been accepted into the Writing Tutor Program. In this class, students read and analyze texts to understand the foundation and pedagogy behind being a writing tutor. After understanding the foundation, students work with all types of writing to understand how the process varies with each genre of writing. Students visit college Writing Centers such as Marquette University and UW-Madison to talk with university writing tutors on their experiences and practice mock conferences. Students also tutor incoming freshmen students through the writing process to practice their tutoring skills. This course is primarily based upon collaboration, discussion, and reflection. Course Dates: 8/4/25 - 8/13/25 (8a-2p M-TH & 8a-12p F). Elective - Does not count toward English requirement for graduation.