Debora Broderick
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
Master of Arts in English (Poetry Emphasis): West Chester University
PA Secondary Education Certification in English
Bachelor of Arts in English (Creative Writing: Pennsylvania State University)
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
Citadel Heart of Learning Award Nominee: 2004-2005
CCIU Outstanding Service Award: 2004
PA Regional Computer Fair Advisor Award (for winning student publications): 2000, 2004
Sallie Mae National 1st Year Teacher Award Nominee for CCIU: 1997
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
AMERICAN LITERATURE
American Literature is an exciting class where we examine American Literature from an historical perspective. Students will supplement their study of literature with primary historical documents and texts. Through this approach, students will begin to see history as subjective, open to interpretation by writers, historians, and the general population. It is the goal of this course to provide students with the skills to analyze these interpretations and formulate educated theories and opinions for themselves.
The reading list includes but is not limited to the following: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass by Frederick Douglass; Of Mice & Men by John Steinbeck; Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston; The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger; The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien; The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.
ART
In the Art elective, students will create a variety art projects using diverse multi-media tools. Students will explore their creative sides and will produce a portfolio that will reflect their vision and personality. In this class, students will also be introduced to art theory and criticism, as well as examine established artists’ works. Topics include but are not limited to pencil & charcoal drawings, paint techniques, pastels, mixed media, digital photography.
BRITISH LITERATURE
12th Grade English is a comprehensive course in British Literature ranging from the Anglo-Saxon Period to the present. This survey course has the following general objectives.
- To familiarize students with the major writers and works from Beowulf in the Anglo-Saxon period to the Theater of the Absurd in the modern period
- To generate enthusiasm for and interest in England’s Literature, culture, and history
- To appreciate the debt current language, culture, and literature owe to earlier ages in English history
- To develop an awareness of interrelationships among literature, art, history, scientific development, and philosophy
- To challenge students to relate their own experience and thoughts to English literature
- To encourage integration of reading, thinking, writing, and speaking skills
- To facilitate diverse classroom activities in teaching/learning literature including integration of technology into the class and curriculum
- To lead students to cross-relate recurring themes and movements in English literature
The reading list includes but is not limited to the following: “Beowulf”; The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer; Othello, Macbeth, Shakespeare; Frankenstein, Mary Shelley; Tess of the d’Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy; Waiting for Godot, Samuel Beckett.
DRAMA
The Drama elective is an exciting course where students can develop acting abilities, read some great plays, as well as perform in a play. The course topics include but is not limited to the following: drama basics, elements of acting, creating a character, character development, dramatic roles, comic roles, technical theater, blocking, directing, producing, set design, lighting, sound, costumes, props.
POETRY
The Poetry Workshop elective is an exciting course where students are given the opportunity to work on original poems, study established as well as new poets, examine a variety of poetic forms, as well as develop their own theory of poetry. Students are expected to write and workshop at least 8 original poems, and revise 2 poems. In workshop, students are expected to provide thoughtful and critical comments to their classmates. The primary goals for workshop include developing a critical vocabulary, learning the dynamics of a constructive workshop, and developing sensitivity for others’ work. In addition to the workshop environment, the course will address issues that are central to the development of a poetics, or theory poetry: What is poetry? What is the process of writing a poem? What does the poet tell us about the poetic process? What function does the poem itself serve? What is the value of poetry?
This critical examination of poetry will support students’ efforts in their own craft. By studying established as well as new poets, students will think critically about their own writing process, and will be willing to work on new ideas and ways of expressing themselves.
A major highlight of this course is attending the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival, which is the largest Poetry Festival in North America. Link to Geraldine R. Poetry Festival
Another highlight of the course is that students have the opportunity to submit their work to our award-winning literary magazine, Concrete Voices.
PUBLISHING & GRAPHIC DESIGN WORKSHOP
Publishing & Graphic Design Workshop is an elective where students learn desktop publishing software and techniques with the goal of creating our award winning literary arts magazine,Concrete Voices. In this course students will learn Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop. Students will have the opportunity to include original poetry, fiction, photography and artwork in the magazine.
Students are involved in every aspect of the publication process, from creating the original art and written work, editorial selection, theme/color choices, creating a magazine mock-up (determining what goes where in the magazine), revisions and corrections, getting the magazine files ready and finally publication.
This class will provide students the unique opportunity to take one focused project and see it through from concept to completion. Students will gain the invaluable skills of learning to work together as a team in a creative and supportive environment.
Please feel free to contact Debora Broderick at deborab@cciu.org.