United States · Common Core State Standards
12th Grade English Language Arts
This course prepares graduating seniors for university level inquiry by analyzing how literature and rhetoric shape cultural identity. Students engage with complex classical and contemporary texts to evaluate the relationship between individual agency and societal structures.
01The Hero and the Anti-Hero
Students examine the evolution of the protagonist from epic poetry to modern tragedy to understand how values change across eras.
Analyzing Beowulf and early Anglo-Saxon literature to identify the core traits of the traditional epic hero.
Explore the cultural values, societal structures, and historical context embedded in Beowulf.
Evaluating Hamlet or Macbeth to determine how internal psychological conflict replaces external monsters in Renaissance drama.
Deconstruct the complex language of Shakespeare, focusing on poetic devices, archaic vocabulary, and dramatic verse.
Exploring 20th century works where the protagonist lacks traditional heroic virtues or actively subverts them.
Examine how existentialist philosophy influences the portrayal of the anti-hero in literature.
Investigate the characteristics of the Byronic hero and their emergence during the Romantic period.
Explore the concept of the tragic hero, hamartia, and catharsis in ancient Greek plays like Oedipus Rex.
Introduce Joseph Campbell's monomyth and apply its stages to various heroic narratives across cultures.
Examine the prevalence and appeal of anti-hero figures in modern film, television, and graphic novels.
Investigate how different narrative perspectives (first-person, third-person limited/omniscient) shape the reader's perception of a hero or anti-hero.
Explore the function of supporting characters in defining and challenging the protagonist's heroic journey.
Examine real-life figures and their actions through the lens of heroic archetypes, considering the complexities of historical context.
Students craft a monologue from the perspective of a hero or anti-hero, demonstrating understanding of character voice and motivation.
Trace the development of female protagonists and their challenges to traditional gender roles in literature.
02The Art of Argumentation
A deep dive into non-fiction and seminal US documents to master the mechanics of persuasion and logical reasoning.
Deconstructing historical speeches to identify the use of ethos, pathos, and logos in high stakes communication.
Students learn to recognize and analyze common logical fallacies in arguments, from ad hominem to straw man.
Analyzing the Declaration of Independence and subsequent responses to evaluate how rhetoric shapes national identity.
Deconstruct the rhetorical strategies in key American speeches (e.g., Lincoln, MLK Jr.) to understand their historical impact.
Examining how modern media uses rhetorical techniques to influence public opinion and political behavior.
Students analyze how images, advertisements, and political cartoons use rhetorical strategies to persuade.
Focus on developing strong, debatable claims and supporting them with relevant, credible evidence.
Students learn to anticipate counterarguments and construct effective rebuttals to strengthen their own positions.
Examine different organizational patterns for arguments (e.g., classical, Rogerian, Toulmin) and their effectiveness.
Analyze how advertising campaigns use rhetorical appeals and psychological tactics to influence consumer behavior.
Discuss the moral responsibilities of speakers and writers when employing persuasive techniques.
Students practice writing short, persuasive opinion pieces for a public audience, focusing on clear argumentation.
Deconstruct the visual and textual rhetoric in political cartoons to understand their commentary on current events.
Develop skills in formal debate, including constructing arguments, delivering speeches, and responding to opponents.
Examine how rhetoric has been used in historical and contemporary social justice movements to advocate for change.
03Satire and Social Critique
Students investigate how humor and irony are used as tools for social change and political commentary.
Studying Juvenalian and Horatian satire to understand the spectrum of social mockery.
Explore the different types of irony (verbal, situational, dramatic) and their function in satirical texts.
Analyzing works like Brave New World or 1984 as cautionary tales that use satire to critique totalitarianism.
Examine how dystopian narratives explore themes of government control, surveillance, and loss of individuality.
Students apply satirical techniques to a contemporary issue through creative writing.
Analyze how political cartoons, late-night comedy, and satirical news shows use humor to critique politics.
Explore how authors use grotesque imagery and absurd situations to create satirical effects and social commentary.
Differentiate between parody and pastiche and analyze their use in literary and cultural critique.
Discuss historical and contemporary instances of satire being censored or sparking controversy.
Compare and contrast utopian visions with their dystopian counterparts, exploring the inherent flaws in idealized societies.
Examine how dystopian authors use specific language to strip characters of their individuality and humanity.
Students develop and write a short story employing satirical elements to critique a chosen social issue.
Explore the historical and literary role of the 'fool' or 'jester' as a figure who uses humor to speak truth to power.
Analyze examples of satire in current television shows, movies, and internet memes, discussing their targets and effectiveness.
Discuss the fine line between effective satire and offensive content, exploring the responsibilities of the satirist.
04Post-Colonial Voices
An exploration of literature from previously colonized nations to understand the impact of empire on culture and language.
Examining how Western narratives have historically shaped the perception of non-Western cultures.
Analyze Edward Said's concept of Orientalism and its impact on Western literary and cultural representations of the East.
Analyzing how post-colonial authors blend indigenous languages and English to create a new literary voice.
Explore the practice of code-switching in post-colonial literature as a reflection of complex cultural identities.
Evaluating the themes of resistance and the search for autonomy in post-colonial novels and poetry.
Examine the enduring social, political, and psychological impacts of colonialism as depicted in literature.
Focus on how authors use distinct narrative voices to challenge colonial perspectives and assert indigenous viewpoints.
Explore the integration of indigenous myths, folklore, and oral storytelling traditions into written post-colonial literature.
Examine how education systems, both colonial and post-independence, are depicted in literature and their impact on identity.
Investigate the intersection of gender and colonialism, exploring how women's experiences are portrayed in post-colonial texts.
Students craft a personal narrative exploring their own cultural identity, drawing on themes from post-colonial literature.
Examine literature by authors from the diaspora, focusing on themes of displacement, belonging, and cultural negotiation.
Analyze poetic forms and devices used by post-colonial poets to express themes of identity, resistance, and cultural reclamation.
Discuss the importance of including diverse voices and perspectives in educational curricula, particularly post-colonial texts.
Explore contemporary indigenous literature from various global contexts, focusing on themes of sovereignty, land, and cultural survival.
05The Research Inquiry
Students conduct an independent, evidence based research project on a literary or social topic of their choice.
Learning to move from a broad interest to a narrow, debatable, and researchable thesis statement.
Students practice crafting clear, concise, and arguable thesis statements that guide their research.
Navigating academic databases and evaluating the reliability of print and digital sources.
Students learn to use advanced search operators and academic databases to locate relevant and credible sources.
Integrating multiple perspectives into a cohesive argument that demonstrates mastery of the subject matter.
Students learn proper citation techniques (MLA/APA) and strategies to avoid accidental plagiarism.
Students create an annotated bibliography, summarizing and evaluating their chosen research sources.
Focus on outlining, organizing paragraphs, and ensuring a logical flow of ideas in a multi-paragraph research essay.
Students learn techniques for smoothly integrating textual evidence into their own writing, avoiding 'dropped quotes'.
Focus on refining sentence structure, word choice, and transitions to improve the clarity and flow of research writing.
Students engage in structured peer review, providing constructive feedback on research paper drafts.
Develop an appropriate academic voice, balancing formality, objectivity, and the writer's own analytical perspective.
Discuss ethical considerations in research, including avoiding bias, ensuring fair representation, and responsible data use.
Focus on crafting compelling introductions that hook the reader and effective conclusions that synthesize arguments.
Dedicated class time for students to work on their individual research projects with teacher guidance and peer consultation.
06The Power of the Spoken Word
A final unit focused on oral communication, performance, and the impact of verbal delivery on meaning.
Examining slam poetry and oral storytelling as modern extensions of ancient literary traditions.
Deconstruct famous speeches to identify effective rhetorical devices and delivery techniques.
Developing active listening and questioning skills through professional and ethnographic interviewing.
Students practice conducting interviews to gather qualitative data and understand diverse perspectives.
Students present their research findings to an audience using sophisticated digital media and oral delivery.
Students learn principles of graphic design and data visualization to create impactful visual aids for presentations.
Explore the power of narrative in oral communication, focusing on techniques for engaging an audience and conveying meaning.
Develop and practice active listening skills crucial for effective communication in academic and professional settings.
Students practice organizing thoughts quickly and delivering coherent, concise responses in impromptu speaking situations.
Focus on effective participation in group discussions, including facilitating dialogue and building consensus.
Students explore podcasting as a modern form of oral communication, analyzing effective audio storytelling and production.
Students prepare and deliver persuasive speeches, applying rhetorical strategies and effective delivery techniques.
Students provide and receive constructive feedback on their presentations and engage in self-reflection for improvement.
Explore the strategic use of silence and pauses in oral delivery to emphasize points, build suspense, and engage the audience.
Dedicated time for students to rehearse their capstone presentations, receiving final feedback and refining delivery.