English Department
Through the literature and writing courses offered within the English Department, students will:
- Develop an understanding and appreciation of literature
- Compare the values found in literature to basic Christian values
- Discover and understand the correlation between situations in
literature and in life - Become sensitive to and aware of cultural biases and prejudice
- Learn the various literary terms and techniques through a 4-year sequential plan
- Experience a variety of opportunities to express themselves orally
- Experience a variety of written assignments ranging from the most subjective to the most objective
- Be encouraged to express their ideas with clarity and mechanical correctness in both their written and oral communication
- Experience the composition process of pre-writing, writing, and post-writing
- Learn how this language is organized and structured through the sequential study and the rules of grammar and proper usage
- Improve vocabulary and spelling skills both systematically and sequentially
- Develop various study skills
- Learn and apply various library reference skills.
Courses
English I
English II
English III
College Prep Writing
Creative Writing
Classic Literature I
Classic Literature II
Social Literature
AP English Literature
Journalism I
Journalism II
Yearbook
Academic Decathlon
English Teachers
Stories from English classes
Newspaper, yearbook earn state’s top honors
Pius X has won the state’s highest honor for publications: TWICE! At the Nebraska High School Press Association convention this morning, we learned that last
Bishop Conley pays visit to observe Socratic Seminar, student discussions of classic literature
Bishop James Conley went back to class today, joining our third period Classic Literature class at Lincoln Pius X High School taught by Mark Hansen
New teachers this school year at Pius X
Fr. Dale Allder ’13 Fr. Dale Allder was born and raised in Lincoln. He was a member of St. Peter parish growing up, and attended
Journalism team takes 3 golds, third place overall at state
The Pius X student journalists finished 3rd overall at state journalism and had 3 individual champs among our 17 total medalists!
Course Descriptions
English I
Grades: 9
Length: Year
English I students will study punctuation, vocabulary, composition, and short stories with an emphasis on literary elements. Students will have the opportunity to choose from a selection of books offered for literature discussions. Students will also engage in the study of poetry and the play Romeo and Juliet. An intense study of writing occurs this year which includes the utilization of the six traits of writing. All students will go through the writing process as they prepare a five paragraph essay and learn the elements of an MLA research paper.
English II
Grades: 10
Length: Semester
English II students will study literary elements through an examination of short stories, poetry, non-fiction, and drama. To encourage diversified reading and student choice, students will participate in literature circles. In addition to multiple writing prompts and experiences, students will also practice and further develop their writing skills through the completion of a personal experience narrative and research paper.
English III
Grades: 11
Length: Year
English III is a chronological and thematic survey of works beginning from the American colonial period and moving through the New England Renaissance, realism, and the modern age to contemporary writers. Poetry, prose, novels, historical documents, and drama will be selected from a diverse group of authors to allow students to examine themes such as an individual’s rights, duties, and freedoms; the relationship between man and God; the relationship between man and nature; the human search for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness; the struggle between good and evil; materialism; transcendentalism; and virtue. This course includes Socratic Seminars and the writing of a literary analysis.
College Prep Writing
Grades: 11-12
Length: Semester
This advanced writing course is designed to prepare students for the composition and research expectations of higher education. Students will continue to develop advanced writing skills through critical analysis of credible sources; annotating for comprehension; use of purposeful, academic language; database usage; and an exploration of diverse writing styles. Students will also develop documents to assist with the college application process.
Creative Writing
Grades: 11-12
Length: Semester
This course aims to help students refine their writing and critical thinking skills, while providing an opportunity to learn literary techniques that will enhance their natural creativity. Students will write in a variety of genres, and will be graded on the Six Traits of Good Writing (a nationally accepted standard for writing), as well as tenets specific to each genre.
Classic Literature I
Grades: 11-12
Length: Year
This course introduces students to the best that has been thought and said throughout the centuries. Students will read texts from the ancient Greeks up to selections from contemporary literature. The class is discussion based, with writing as the primary form of assessment. By reading and discussing the great books, students will learn how to discern the truth, how to distinguish it from error, and how to defend it. At the end of this course, students will have had direct interaction with a variety of texts, have written for a variety of purposes and audiences, and will have had multiple opportunities to experience authentic, engaging discussions, both formal and informal in nature.
Classic Literature II
Grades: 12
Length: Year
This course continues reading “the best that has been thought and said” throughout the centuries. Emphasis is placed on texts written from 1700-present day. The class is discussion based, with writing as the primary form of assessment, though students should expect the usual forms of assessments, i.e. quizzes, tests and creative projects. By reading and discussing the great books, students will learn how to discern the truth, how to distinguish it from error, and how to defend it. At the end of this course, students will have had direct interaction with a variety of texts, have written for a variety of purposes and audiences, and will have had multiple opportunities to experience authentic, engaging discussions, both formal and informal in nature.
Pre-Requisites: Classic Literature I
Social Literature
Grades: 12
Length: Semester
Department: English
This course may be taken all year for ten credits or either semester for five credits. Social Literature allows students to become more aware of current social problems through the study of fiction and biography. Units raise the student’s awareness in the areas of ethnicity, cultures, politics, the future, technology, the aged, women’s issues, family, and civil rights. Four or five books are read each semester. Daily reading assignments and class participation are required. Writing projects are also an integral part of this course including a multi-genre project.
AP English Literature
Grades: 12
Length: Year
This course is designed to mimic the rigor and style of a college level English course. It is organized around the theme of The Other, using various critical lenses such as Post-colonialism, Gender, Historical, Futuristic, etc. to examine the ways in which Otherness and privilege are prominent in both literature and society and are impacted over the course of time. This class explores various authors from the 18th century to the early 21stcentury, with authors including Achebe, Miller, Wiesel, Austen, Shakespeare, O’Brien, and Huxley. Poetry, short stories, and non-fiction documents are incorporated into each unit with a novel or play as the central text. One independent choice novel is also read each semester. AP test prep will be incorporated into the class for those wishing to take the exam in May. As preparation for the rigor of AP English Literature, students will have a summer reading requirement of two novels analyzed through an essay. During the semester, daily reading assignments, class participation, analytical papers, and a multi-genre project are required elements of this course. In order to take the AP exam, students must enroll in both semesters.
Journalism I
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length: Year
Students in Journalism I will learn the processes involved in print and video journalism, such as news writing, feature writing, sports writing, editorial writing, interviewing, editing, photography, graphic design, and videography. Students will be responsible for regularly publishing the Pius Xchange, Pius’ official student publication. Students will choose newsworthy subjects, interview people, write and edit stories, take photos, and layout the newspaper. Types of writing include hard news, features, opinions, reviews, photo captions, and video voiceovers. Students will also learn and utilize video production technologies to create journalistic videos. This is a yearlong course, but qualified students may be able to sign up at semester. One year of Journalism can satisfy a onetime semester of English credit, or may be used as an elective for graduation.
Journalism II
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: Year
This course is intended for the serious journalism student who wishes to receive additional instruction and practice in this particular area of study. Journalism II students may be eligible for editorial/leadership positions and may work on more in-depth projects. This class is highly recommended for students who are preparing portfolios for admission to a college journalism program. This course is offered concurrently with Journalism I.
Pre-Requisites: Journalism I
Yearbook
Grades: 10, 11, 12
Length: Year
Students in the Yearbook class will be responsible for putting together the yearbook for Pius. Work will include creating a visual and written record that reflects the nature of our school. Students will design individual pages and will be required to attend extra-curricular events to take photographs. The course requires students to be self-motivated and have an ability to work well with others, especially in pressure situations. Students registered for Journalism, Graphic Design and Photography or students with strong interests in these areas are encouraged to apply. This class does not fulfill the English credit requirement, but may be used as an elective for graduation.
Pre-Requisites: Teacher Permission
Academic Decathlon
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12
Length: Semester
If this course is successfully completed during the 11th or 12th grade, it may satisfy 5 credits of English electives.
