The English Department engages students in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Through a coordinated sequence of courses, students receive instruction in grammar and composition, American, British, and world literature. Our program emphasizes 21st-century learning methods and incorporates technology into everyday classroom learning. Our dedicated teachers develop student’s critical faculty to judge the quality of the printed page, to appreciate the human values woven into the fabric of enduring literature and to cultivate the student’s power of expression, both spoken and written, so that with ease she can communicate her ideas clearly and imaginatively.

Every student must take four years of English. The freshman program introduces the student to basic skills and understanding that she will need in order to pursue a college preparatory program successfully. Along with the traditional investigation of literature and other genres, study of grammar, and writing of strong sentences and paragraphs, the student learns efficient reading and study habits and library procedures. The sophomore program is a continuation of the freshman program with an emphasis on composition skills. The students will be expected to go into greater depth with the literary interpretation, study of usage and mechanics, and extensive experience in writing expository essays, particularly literary analysis essays and research papers in MLA format. The junior program examines the literature and philosophy of the American culture with an emphasis on communication skills, written and oral. Seniors study British and World literature focusing on critical thinking skills necessary to analyze and interpret literary works. Junior pre-AP and senior AP courses require the student to demonstrate her refined powers of thought and expression in at least four expository essays each semester. Every level requires a research paper and emphasizes Public speaking.

We believe that a Catholic education promotes the development of men of vision in spirit, mind, and body by providing a challenging college preparatory curriculum. Our program therefore works to develop life-long, global learners in this tradition of excellence, producing students who demonstrate the following qualities: spirituality, intellectual competence, self-discipline, and community awareness.

REQUIREMENTS: English 1, 2, 3 and 4

GANNON UNIVERSITY ARTICULATION AGREEMENT: Upon matriculation at Gannon University, students can earn 3 credits (LENG 111) when they earn a B (85%) or better in the following classes: English 1 H, English 2 H or English 2 AP, English 3 H or American Literature and English 4 H or English 4 AP.