SENIOR ENGLISH ADVANCED PLACEMENT/DUAL CREDIT
ENGL2321 - BRITISH LITERATURE & ENGL2341 – INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE
2011-2012
Instructor: Miss Pamela Reyes Room: A-117 Phone: _________
Office Hours: 7:30-8:15 a.m. - 3rd/4th Period – After School by Appointment Only
I. Course Description
This Advanced Placement course is designed to give the student a firm grounding in literary analysis and analytical writing techniques that will enable him/her to achieve a high score in the AP English Literature and Composition test. All those enrolled in the course must take the AP Exam given during the spring semester. This course is also for Dual credit and will provide the student with an introduction to the study of different literary genres (short stories, poetry, drama, novels, novellas, and essays). More specifically these courses are designed to introduce students to the study of literary periods, terms and conditions.
British/English Literature, beginning with Beowulf and continuing into the modern times, will be the main source of literature for the course, although other English-speaking authors will be sampled if it benefits the course of study. College-level analysis papers will be due each six weeks period as well as several other types of essays. Reading
II. Course Goals
The student is expected to:
1. Understand the historical development of British/English Literature.
2. Understand the socio-political issues that shaped each stage of British/English literature.
3. Identify and analyze literary elements and their contribution to the overall theme of the texts studied.
4. Discuss and debate individual views and opinions of these literary elements and themes in structured oral responses.
5. Write analytical AP style responses to prepare for the AP exam.
6. Write responses in narrative, persuasive, descriptive, etc. formats in order to hone writing skills for college.
7. Complete the AP test during spring semester.
8. Understand how all literature is relevant to their lives.
9. Write numerous journals, quick writes, exit cards, and reflective responses.
10. Practice multiple-choice questions in preparation for the AP exam.
III. Course Outline
This course will be divided into six six weeks periods and two semesters. Most of the readings will be geared toward British literature and any secondary readings associated with these readings. Please note the required readings and make sure that you have a copy of them available for personal use. For most of the first semester, the original works have no known copyright so are available as public domain documents on various websites on the Internet for printing. For all others, a personal copy of the story or novel must be obtained as you will be expected to annotate the text for use in your essays.
Some of the readings will include the following:
1. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
2. Hamlet by William Shakespeare
3. Dracula by Bram Stoker
4. The Stranger by Albert Camus
5. Selected excerpts from Candide
6. Beowulf
7. Selected books from Paradise Lost by John Milton
8. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
9. A Modest Proposal by Jonathan Swift
10. Various Poetry and Prose from British Literature
11. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
IV. Grading Criteria for Course
Your grade will be computed as follows every six weeks period:
1. Project Grades - Writing Assignments (Dear Miss Pam, timed essays, journals, essays, etc.) = 30%
2. Quiz Grades- Dialectical Journals, Reading Quizzes, etc (per reading assignment) = 30%
3. Exam Grades – Content Tests, Timed AP Multiple Choice and group activities = 15%
4. Classwork Grades - Class discussions and overall participation (both in class and on class blog) = 15%
5. Six Weeks Exams = 10%
6. Final Exams = 13% of overall semester average
Grading Scale:
A+ = 100-96 | A = 95 | A- = 94-90 | B+ = 89-86 | B = 85 | B- = 84-80 |
C+ = 79-76 | C = 75 | C- = 74-70 | D+ = 69-64 | D = 65 | D- = 64-60 |
F = <59 | √+ = 100 | √ = 80 | √- = 70 | X = 0 |
V. Course Assignments
1. Vocabulary Development: All vocabulary words will be kept in your binder, whether they are written on foldables or given via handout. You will be given a list of vocabulary words (from SAT, ACT, our readings, and tone words) at the beginning and throughout each unit. In order to make sure you are developing your vocabulary, you will be randomly quizzed.
2. Dialectical Journals and Artist Notebooks: You will be required to turn in specific dialectical journals or artist notebooks for certain reading assignments. The first six weeks will be used to teach you how to use a dialectical journal properly. After that you will turn in dialectical journals and/or artist notebooks throughout the year for certain assigned reading.
3. In-class Reading
4. Outside Reading: You are responsible for reading a majority of the texts before coming to class to gain a basic understanding. Students will be required to come to class ready to participate in class discussions with questions about the literature being read at the time. This is why you are required to buy the book, so that you can highlight and write in your books. Sharing books with classmates from other classes is discouraged because you will be responsible for having the specific text available.
5. Class Blog: Participation in a class blog will be required for certain reading assignments. I will be posting discussion questions either before or after a work is discussed in class, this will ensure that everyone is reading. The class blog will also be used as a study tool where students may post questions that they have about any reading assignment that they are having trouble with at the time.
6. Journals: You will actively participate in class by writing journals, completing exit cards, answering quick writes. You will be asked to evaluate an aspect of the class that you found interesting, an aspect that you found difficult or you will be asked to review a subject to be used for the day’s lesson through music, art, and quotes. Journals will be picked up before you walk out of class every day. You will not be reminded to keep up with your journals but it will be a grade and then used for your portfolio at the end of the year.
7. Binder/Portfolio: You will be required to develop a binder/writing portfolio. This will be a yearlong assignment that will showcase your writing development and keep you organized. You will be asked to evaluate and grade yourself based on your development at the end of the year. Therefore, all writing assignments, notes, tests, journals, essays, etc. produced in this class must be placed in your binder/writing portfolio because any missing assignments will result in point reductions. Regular spot checks will be conducted to make sure you are bringing your binder to class EVERYDAY!!!
VI. Essay Guidelines
1. All essays will be work shopped. Teacher feedback will be given before, during, and after the submission of each essay. Therefore: (see guideline #2)
2. All essays must show evidence of the writing process. Prewriting, drafting, editing, revising, and publishing stages must be present before I accept any finished product.
3. Final product must be submitted as a typed paper using Times New Roman font in size 12. It must be on a white sheet of paper with a header that states your name, the date, class period and the teacher the paper is being submitted to. (NOTE: DUE TO A SHORTAGE OF PAPER AND INK ON CAMPUS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PRINT YOUR ESSAYS IN MY CLASS; THEREFORE YOU MUST MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO EITHER EMAIL OR PRINT FROM THE LIBRARY OR AT HOME.)
4. All papers containing substantial quotes or synopses of the work being analyzed must use MLA documentation, therefore it is strongly suggested you invest in a personal copy of the MLA Style Manual. See teacher for correct edition.
5. Papers will receive two grades. One for content, mechanics, sentence structure, logical organization, and vocabulary usage. Another using the holistic scoring practices used to score the AP exam. Class rubric for content and mechanics grade will be given before the first paper is due.
6. In order to provide effective and constructive feedback, all papers are due at the beginning of your class period or by email on the date specified. Any paper turned in after the teacher has collected work at the beginning of the class will be considered LATE, which includes all essays submitted by email.
7. All essays are subject to plagiarism checks. If a student is caught plagiarizing their paper appropriate measures will be taken. Plagiarizing is considered cheating and the student will receive a zero along with a parent conference. Keep in mind that plagiarizing is a bad habit to pick up and can result in expulsion when you are in college.
VII. Writing Assignments
As this is a literature and composition course, you will be asked to complete a variety of writing assignments throughout the year. Clarification of each writing assignment listed below will be given at specific times throughout the year. You will be expected to use your best composition skills for all writing assignments.
1. High School Reflection Essay (1 for your writing portfolio at the end of the year)
2. Literary Analysis Essays/AP Timed Essays (10-12 throughout the year)
3. Formal Literary Critical Argument Essay (2 – 1 each semester)
4. College Admission/Scholarship Essays and Resume (1 at the beginning of the year)
VIII. Attendance
Attendance is vital if you plan to succeed in this class. Every class meeting is important because new assignments and readings will be discussed daily. The class blog will be your life line to this class. I will try to post all assignments and questions on the blog and every student is expected to keep up with due dates. If you are absent, you are still responsible for the work you missed. Be sure to inform your instructor of any school trips or anything else that will keep you out of school for more than one day. Keep in mind that excuses such as, “I was out because of band, drama, etc” will not excuse from doing the work. You have 3 days after returning to class to ask for your missing work. Be aware that if you don’t have an approved excuse make-up work does not have to be given by the instructor. Excused and unexcused absences and tardies can result in loss of credit for the class. Students who choose to skip class when a substitute is present will receive 3 zeroes for the work done in class that day; make-up work will only be given to those who are given an EXCUSED absence from the office. (See student handbook for District Attendance Policy)
IX. Electronic Devices (This is NOT up for discussion!)
You are expected to be respectful and attentive in class, as the content explanation will be necessary for you to complete your assignments. Because of this, you are expected to leave all electronic devices in your purse or backpack in order to avoid distractions. This includes, but is not limited, to the following:
I-Pods or any form of MP3 player, Cellular Phones, PSPs, etc.
Students who disregard this will have their electronic devices confiscated. These devices will be turned in to the head security guard, and parents will have to follow school policy to have said items returned. If you choose to pay attention to your text messages, MP3 players, etc and not the instructor then you are the only one to blame if you miss an important announcement or a key part of the assignment. Electronic devices will be permitted during different times throughout the year but at the discretion of the instructor and you will be given proper notification of when you are allowed to use them. All devices with internet access must be put away during tests, quizzes, and timed essay writing.
X. Homework/Outside Reading/Late Work Policy/Cheating
All homework and outside readings MUST be completed before coming to class. These assignments are designed to give the student basic comprehension of the material so that the analysis portion of the assignment can be completed in class.
Homework/Outside Reading will be graded on a 100/0 scale. Evidence of completion will earn the student a 100. Vice versa evidence of non-completion will earn a zero.
Late work will be accepted ONLY if you have an excused absence. You are responsible for picking up assignments within 3 days after an absence and must have your excuse with an excuse slip from the office at the time. No work will be given if the excuse is not presented. Be sure to obtain the excuse slip on your own time.
LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNDER ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCE. However, if an assignment is accepted late be aware that you will be deducted 10 points for everyday it is late. For major projects you will be deducted 10 points for everyday it is late, starting from the end of the period. This means that if you have this class 1st/2nd period and you do not turn it in by the end of 2nd your assignment is already late.
Cheating has no place in an academic setting, and any student caught cheating will be given a zero, sent to the office, and, after a parent conference, they will be dropped from the course.
XI. Supply List
(FYI: Other supplies may be needed during the year, but advance notice of items needed will be given at that time. Items that are bold will be given to the instructor to ensure that the student always has access to the supplies needed.)
Binder, any color (to be brought to class everyday)
5 dividers (1. Notes and Vocabulary, 2. Readings
2 packages of paper (College Ruled)
Black or blue pens
Red pens
Pencils
Highlighters
College Dictionary and Thesaurus
Assorted post-it notes
3x5 index cards
Germ-X
Tissues
Flash drive (at least 1-2 GB)
Access to a computer and printer
XII. Pre-Course Assignments
Your summer readings were selected by the AP teachers to help your reading skills and your background knowledge. You had two books to read before you entering this class.
1. Sophie’s World
2. How to Read Novels Like a Professor
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