SYLLABUS
American Literature Fall 2019
Description
The American literature class is designed to helps students prepare for the AP 12th grade class. You will read, understand, and analyze a variety of literary genres. We will employ literary vocabulary as we interpret the various works. You may expect to increase your ability to critically think and express your ideas in discussion and essays. To thoroughly understand the texts, one needs to be cognizant of the importance of social, cultural, and historical contexts. To grasp a language an individual needs to speak it; however, to master English, the reader must write.
Additionally, we will delve into some outside poetry and critical analysis. As this is an English course, students may expect to read and write often and present writing in lessons, models, and peer editing.
Classroom Materials
Tablet
English Binder/Folder
Daybook
Pens/Pencils/Highlighters
Colored Pencils
Texts
An Open Mind
Course Expectations
Reading
“Beware; Those who tread these pages lightly.” - Connolly
It is difficult to engage in rational discourse about a work, when one does not read the text closely. A strong reader has a pen or highlighter in hand and a dictionary within arm’s reach. You may expect to read daily. Just passing your eyes over the words does not constitute reading; therefore, it is imperative to draw inferences and rely upon “a priori” knowledge. Students may expect random checks on book annotations and “Daybook” entries. Spark Notes, Cliff Notes, and Monkey Notes are not surrogates for the author’s pristine words.
Writing
We will write an Advanced Placement prompt about once a week. You may expect numerous timed writings, essays, Daybook entries, and journals.
To prepare for the next level of higher education, it is paramount to focus on the writing process. Major essays will include:
1. Analysis of the text
2. Discussion of topics
3. Construction of an original thesis
4. An outline with writer/teacher conference
5. First draft written in class in 45 minutes
6. Second draft
7. Peer editing
8. Final Draft
Class Discussion
We will break down texts in class discussion. We will employ Socratic seminars and the Harkness Method. The less I talk, the better the discussion. Individuals will be called upon to lead and generate class discussion. This will be done randomly, like athletes get random drug tests. Don’t get caught without the ink in your system. Expect to use your tablets and Daybooks in class discussion. “Intolerance will not be tolerated.” In other words, people have different viewpoints; therefore, an unquestioned respect needs to be prevalent in and around our circle.
Course Materials
...other poetry, and short stories.
Class Evaluation
Point Value of Process
Outline 10 pts.
1st Draft 20 pts.
2nd Draft 20 pts.
Peer Editing 10 pts.
Final 40 pts.
“Learn, have fun, and try your best.”
Each facet of the writing process has an import. I will look at your thesis and outline, and read and write comments for the first and final drafts. There will be an opportunity to rewrite essays after they are returned. If you follow suggestions and do not merely focus on the grade, you will invariably progress better. I guarantee you will be a more effective writer at the end of the semester. I will thoroughly explain all aspects of the aforementioned process. Please be advised, deadlines are just that. Each late paper will incur a full grade off. While I am an unfeeling cad, I am not unreasonable; therefore, I understand “special circumstances.” As a result, your teacher may be inclined to bestow “get out of Jail Free” cards.
Day Book
Students will keep fastidious and copious notes in the Daybook. This is for your thoughts during the day and in class. The Daybook is an extension of a diary. You will also be expected to keep a running vocabulary list taken from the works we read. Your Daybook will help you on papers, examinations, and other small assignments, so treat it like a pet cheetah. Don’t let it run away and don’t neglect it because the animal may bite, maul, or both.
Intolerance will not be allowed.
Classroom Policies
1. On a bad 70’s show called Fantasy Island, the proprietor of the island said at the show’s beginning, “Smiles everyone. Smiles.” If we cannot laugh with literature and writing, then we are not taking advantage of our time together.
2. Participation: Don’t try to hide. Your ideas matter and what you have to say is no less important than anyone else.
3. Late Work: I will accept work at the beginning of class. For major assignments, one day late deflates the grade one full mark. Any more than one day places you in a hole. Extenuating circumstances will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
4. Technology Expectations: We will utilize technology effectively. We will follow laptop policy of the Academy of the Sacred Heart.
5. Cell Phone Use: Not one of us is important enough to distract others with our cell phones. By the way, if any of you have any extra minutes, I am short. Students and teachers have learned for thousands of years before these devices. I will follow school policy on cell phones. I may be old, however, I have learned all the tricks of the clandestine text magician.
6. Tardiness: There is a song where the student states, “I don’t feel tardy.” You do not have to feel late to be late. Class goes bell to bell. Don’t expect to come late or leave early. We will follow the Upper School tardy policy.
7. Preparation: You know what you need and I do not need excuses. Over twenty years I have heard just about every excuse. At least be creative enough to make me laugh. There will still be a consequence, however, we get to laugh.
8. Passes: Please use the restrooms, go to lockers , save kittens in trees, and fight crime before class or at lunch. The class is an express train which stops for no one. Of course there are emergencies.
9. Papers: All papers will follow MLA format.
10. Plagiarism: Plagiarism is the equivalent of Academic Homicide. Every time someone shamelessly steals the intellectual property from another, I feel like that moment in Godfather II, when Michael Corleone looks at his brother Fredo, kisses him and says, “I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart.” While no one will give you this “Kiss of Death” and you won’t be paddled out to the middle of the lake for an unceremonious ending to your life, there will be consequences. I will rescind my offer to write a college recommendation and I have, in the past, retracted recommendations and contacted universities. Plagiarism is a betrayal on many levels. Please consult the Academic Integrity section of the Student Handbook and your soul. Your ideas are better than anything you may pinch from another source. When in doubt, at least use quotation marks.
11. Email: One rule for emails: do not write anything you would not want the world to read.
12. Make-Up Work: Please refer to the Student Handbook. When you know you will not be in school, please share this information.
13. Extra Help: I have a few dubious talents, unfortunately, reading minds is not one of them. If you need extra help, all you need to do is utter a four -word request. “Can you help me?” I will assume the “Please” is implied.
14. Respect: I placed this last because I want you to remember this most. A classroom devoid of mutual respect can only create a hostile environment. Each student should feel free to share ideas and thoughts without cruel reprisals. The most fun classes occur when students feel respected.