African-American literature returns

Lyric Gordon, Photography Editor

African American Literature will be making its return to our school as an elective in the 2014-15 school year.

Candiss Jones, assistant principal feels it will be good for next year.

“I think it will be a great addition to the core subject area electives currently offer,” Jones said.

As of right now, there isn’t an English elective focused on reading, so the administration feels this will be a good change. The department does have Speech I and II, Creative writing I and II, Introduction to Communications, Newspaper and Yearbook.

Bettina Pope, English teacher feels it will be a good opportunity.
“Any opportunity to learn more about a subject, regardless of that subject, is a good one,” Pope said.

This class will, however, be counted as an elective instead of an English credit.

So far 43 students have officially signed up and 23 have selected it as an alternative course.

“If the criteria for student numbers is met, the class will be offered, “during the 2014-2015 school year,” Pope said.
This elective is not meant to change the English curriculum, but to show students more about literature by African-American writers.

“I don’t think it will affect how students learn,” Pope said. “I do feel it may give students a different perspective on the historical and literary events of this country’s history.”

Elective courses allow students to explore topics of interest to them.
This course may appeal both to avid readers and those interested in the history of the African-America experience.

Jones said, “We encourage all students to explore electives and their interests during high school.”