Communication Arts
About the Division
Doug Lillydahl, Director
Room 2514 (West Office)
Phone: 847-415-4326
dlillydahl@d125.org
Timothy Foley, Assistant Director
Room 2514 (West Office)
847-415-4349
tfoley@d125.org
Denise Perkins, Assistant to the Director
Room 2514 (West Office)
847-415-4325
dperkins@d125.org
Debbie Carver, Assistant to Faculty
Room 2514 (West Office)
847-415-4327
dcarver@d125.org
“Books are the carriers of civilization.” - Henry David Thoreau
Effective communication is essential in becoming an independent, reflective, life-long learner and a functioning member of the community. The Communication Arts Division dedicates itself to teaching the skills which are integral to effective communication: reading, writing, oral communication, and media literacy. It is the department's mission to assist students in becoming insightful, creative, analytical, and responsible communicators.
The Communication Arts Division is comprised of the English Department and the Information and Learning Center.
Course Descriptions
For course descriptions from all academic divisions, visit our Course Book page.
Click on the course description to see course goals and learning targets:
| Course | Course Description |
| Academic Literacy 1 | LCY 101/102 |
| Academic Literacy 2 | LCY 201/202 |
| Freshman English (College Prep) | ENG 111/112 |
| Freshman English (Accelerated) | ENG 131/132 |
| Course | Course Description |
| Sophomore English (College Prep) | ENG 211/212 |
| Sophomore English (Accelerated) | ENG 231/232 |
| Electives | |
| Public Speaking (College Prep) | ENG 761/762 |
| Journalistic Writing (College Prep) | ENG 901/902 |
| Advanced Journalistic Writing (College Prep) | ENG 921/922 |
| Journalism: Newspaper Production (Accelerated) | ENG 951/952 |
| Academic Literacy 2 (College Prep) | LCY 201/202 |
| Course | Course Description |
| Junior English (College Prep) | ENG 311/312 |
| Junior English (Accelerated) | ENG 381/382 |
| Junior AP Language & Composition (Honors) | ENG 371/372 |
| American Studies (Honors) AP Junior English/AP American History |
ENG 341/342 |
| Electives (* denotes accelerated option) | |
| Creative Writing (College Prep) * | ENG 501/502 |
| Creative Writing Seminar (College Prep) * | ENG 521/522 |
| Topics in Composition: Media Analysis (College Prep) * | ENG 691 |
| Topics in Composition: Film Genres (College Prep) * | ENG 722 |
| Public Speaking (College Prep) | ENG 761/762 |
| Journalistic Writing (College Prep) | ENG 901/902 |
| Advanced Journalistic Writing (College Prep) | ENG 921/922 |
| Journalism: Newspaper Production (Accelerated) | ENG 951/952 |
| Academic Literacy 2 (College Prep) | LCY 201/202 |
| Course (* denotes accelerated option) | Course Description |
| World Masterpieces (Accelerated) | ENG 431/432 |
| AP Themes in World Literature (Honors) | ENG 451/452 |
| Electives | |
| Creative Writing (College Prep) * | ENG 501/502 |
| Creative Writing Seminar (College Prep) * | ENG 521/522 |
| Journalistic Writing (College Prep) | ENG 901/902 |
| Advanced Journalistic Writing (College Prep) | ENG 921/922 |
| Journalism: Newspaper Production (Accelerated) | ENG 951/952 |
| Political Thought and Its Literature (College Prep) | ENG 601/602 |
| Public Speaking (College Prep) | ENG 761/762 |
| Text Exploration and Analysis (College Prep) | ENG 681/682 |
| Topics in Composition: Media Analysis (College Prep) * | ENG 691 |
| Topics in Composition: Film Genres (College Prep) * | ENG 722 |
| Writing for College (College Prep) | ENG 541/542 |
Co-Curriculars
Communication Arts Co-Curriculars
Members of our faculty and staff also sponsor the following co-curricular student teams and clubs that celebrate the communication arts:
SPEECH AND DRAMA
There are 13 different speech and drama events in a forensics competition. Students compete in tournaments pitting their talents against students from other schools in the area. The competition season ends with regional, sectional, and state competitions.
THE WIT/HALF WIT
The Wit is Adlai E. Stevenson High School's Literary and Art magazine for all grade levels. The magazine's layout and construction is entirely the work of the student co‐curricular club, the Wit, with all writing submissions coming from the students of Stevenson High School themselves. Art submissions are made through the art teachers, with some exceptions. The students in the club then choose from both art and written works submitted to the Wit and judge all entries to determine which become published in the Wit magazine. The Wit strives to represent the very best writing and art from all students of Stevenson High.
DEBATE TEAM
Debaters participate in monthly tournaments. The format is a Student Congress, which is modeled after the U.S. Congress. This allows for intensive questioning. Team trophies and individual awards are earned. Also, debate refines and improves the student's speaking, writing and research skills.
FILM CLUB
Members view, discuss, analyze, and interpret films which are shown each week. Members may get the opportunity to research a particular film and lead its discussion at a weekly meeting. Certain questions to be probed during discussions: Why is this film important and/or relevant today? What techniques highlight the qualities of the film (or lack thereof)? What is ground-breaking about the film’s narrative, style, or theme; how does it reflect the nature of its genre? What is the cultural impact of the film? Did you like it?
RADIO STATION WAES FM 88.1
Students in the radio station will learn all of the functions of a radio station, as well as how to operate and maintain a radio station. Students over the next year will play a major role in building and shaping the Stevenson radio station. The radio station is full of leadership opportunities and gives you the experience needed to enter broadcasting as a profession.
THE STATESMAN
Students are responsible for all aspects of the production of the school newspaper ‐ reporting, writing, layout and photography.
THE AMBASSADOR (YEARBOOK)
Students participate in all aspects of the production of the annual yearbook.
BREAKFAST WITH BOOKS
Breakfast With Books is a book-sharing club. We meet once a month to talk about the various books we've read. Breakfast is provided. It's the perfect club for the avid reader who just can't keep that great book to him/herself.
SNN
Stevenson Network News broadcasts the daily announcements. Involvement in this club consists of the editing and reporting of the daily morning announcements. Sophomores through seniors are eligible for on‐air position as long as they have eighth hour free.
ANIME CLUB
This group focuses on different aspects of Japanese animation, or anime, and in turn, Japanese culture as seen through videos, comic books and other popular media.