NAME:
Mr. Richie Diaz
SCHOOL:
Cathedral Preparatory Seminary
CLASSES:
English II A & B, English III, English IV, and Drama IV
SCHOOL PHONE:
718-592-6800 Ext. 110
Mr. Diaz teaches Sophomore,Junior, and Senior English at Cathedral and
serves as the English Department Coordinator. Prior to Cathedral, Mr. Diaz
taught at Herricks Middle and High schools. A graduate of Cathedral himself,
Mr. Diaz received his B.A. from Hofstra University in English with a minor
in Secondary Education. Mr. Diaz continued in his studies to graduate from
Queens College with his Master's Degree in English. He is currently pursuing
a second Master's Degree in Administration at St. John's University. He
also serves as the Head Coach of the Crusaders Track Team and Moderator of
the Literary Journal.
ENGLISH II
A survey of British Literature in which students explore the rich history of
the English language. The course approaches British Literature in a
chronological framework beginning with Beowulf and progressing into the
modern era. A strong emphasis is placed on Shakespearean drama and poetry.
Weekly vocabulary and grammar lessons and periodic writing assignments are
incorporated into the course.
English II will introduce us to a series of major works of British
literature. We will focus on the development of various ideas in British
Literature and other key aspects of literature. Further, we will study the
writing process (both creative and research), grammar, and vocabulary, and
the various ‘task essays’ you will be required to write on the Regents Exam
next year.
ENGLISH III
Junior English is a course which introduces the student to the literature of
America through an examination of the literature text, which continues to
teach mature written expression, and which seeks to expand the students
vocabulary both from the reading selections and from the SAT Exam. Both the
SAT Exam and the New York State Regents Exam are taken during the Junior
year. While the course does not teach the exam, readings and vocabulary and
writing selections are intended to prepare each student to succeed on these
exams. In a typical week, one day's time is devoted to vocabulary; two day's
time to writing skills; and two day's time to reading and literature skills
and appreciation. The writing is both critical and open topic. The
literature is approached chronologically and the vocabulary is presented for
mastery and use.
English III will introduce us to a series of major works of American
literature. We will focus on the development of the idea of the “American
hero,” the notion of the “idealized American dream,” and other key themes
and topics in American Literature. Further, we will study the writing
process (both creative and research), grammar, and vocabulary, and the
various ‘task essays’ you will be required to write on the Regents Exam.
ENGLISH IV
The course is divided in several ways; by genre, by chronology, and by form.
The first third of the course is devoted to poetry. The second third of the
course is devoted to shorter prose such as the short story and the essay.
Here the performance as well as the literary values are investigated.
Weekly writing assignments related to the criticism of the works we are
covering and a term paper are the major portions of the composition portion.
Such concepts as rhyme, meter, figures of speech, and imagery in poetry:
formal and informal writing in the essay and dramatic tension and dramatic
irony in the drama can be made part of the students understanding of the
making of a piece of literature.
English IV will expand on the experiences you had with the pieces of British
and American literature in your sophomore and junior years. In this course,
we will be exploring “world literature,” and examining literature from a
very different perspective. Our goal will be to see different approaches to
literature through accomplished writers and their pieces, both classic and
modern. Weekly writing assignments related to the criticism of the works we
are covering and a term paper are the major portions of the composition
portion. Such concepts as rhyme, meter, figures of speech, and imagery in
poetry: formal and informal writing in the essay and dramatic tension and
dramatic irony in the drama will be part our understanding of the making of
a piece of literature. Further, we will study the writing process (both
creative and research) and vocabulary and the various types of essays you
will be required to write next year in your college endeavors.