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Course description

Successful completion of this course earns a student credit in both AP US History Honors and American Literature and Composition Honors. The American Experience explores the creation and development of American identity. This identity is informed and influenced by various social and cultural movements and expressed through literature; art; music; philosophy; and the accounts of history. Students will study a variety of primary and secondary sources; including but not limited to: historical documents; novels; poetry; essays; art; songs; architecture; and scholarly commentaries. Through this variety of texts and artifacts; students will examine the formation of American identity and the ways in which it has changed throughout history by applying social and historical theories such as the rhetorical situation; social contract theory; formalism; new criticism; structuralism; and ideological critical theory. Students will grapple with complex texts; artifacts; and ideas; weaving them together and assessing how they contribute to the understanding of cultural shifts throughout American history and the American literary tradition. Students will create oral and written arguments that are logical; well reasoned; and demonstrate the ability to objectively examine multiple viewpoints and substantiate claims through the use of textual evidence. Student writing will reflect mastery of written communication and also the ability to synthesize a variety of socio-historical and literary texts and artifacts. The course prepares students for intermediate and advanced college courses by making demands upon them equivalent to those made by full-year introductory college courses.
This course aligns with the National Collegiate Honors Council’s expectations for university Honors course pedagogy. The course format will follow these objectives in the delivery of the content:
1. Discussion and writing are the hallmarks of Honors classes. Students will consistently use writing; both in class and out; as a means to express ideas and prepare for discussions.
2. The course is discussion-oriented rather than lecture. The instructor provides background to inform the discussion and guide the research; as students are given time in advance to read; research and prepare their responses in writing.
3. Students work to develop the ability to think about a broad range of ideas and come to understand how scholars and artists work by reading and responding to primary source material; by exploring issues and problems in depth rather than quickly and superficially; and by being carefully exposed to and guided through the methods of many disciplines. Students learn to see the broad implications of each issue; as well as learn to analyze and synthesize the material.
4. Students work to become more independent as critical thinkers; demonstrating the ability to use knowledge and logic when discussing an issue or an idea; while considering the consequences of their ideas; for themselves; for others; and for society. The classroom environment is open to many perspectives and points of view; where students are encouraged to take intellectual risks and feel safe doing so.
Grade Level 11
Entrance Requirements Proficiency or above on AZMerit ELA 10
Completion of Advanced Comp Hon with a grade of B or better or English 10 with a grade of an A; AND Completion of AP World History with a grade of B or better or World History with a grade of an A
Qualify on placement rubric
Self-reflection on “Am I an Honors Student?”
A Scholastic Lab is highly recommended to assist the student with the pace of the course
AP/DE Options Students successfully completing this course will have the option to take the AP US History test. This class may be offered for dual enrollment for both literature and history.
Fees AP College Board test fees during second semester if taking the AP examination.– If taking Dual Enrollment; tuition is payable to the College/University and textbooks/materials must be purchased as directed by the College/University
Standards Meets graduation; AZCCRS; University and NCAA Requirements

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Approved

Approved competency code

• ENGL
• 4 years of English

Approved date

Online / Virtual