English Survey Winter 2014

Divine Child High School

Mr. Matt Hamilton
hamiltonm@divinechildhighschool.org
Course Description: This second semester course is a continuation of English
Survey I. We will continue to study various important literary genres and themes, as
well as how these work into historical and contemporary culture. We will work
intensively with essay writing and critical thinking as we start asking key questions
that writers attempt to address in their texts. The goals for this course include the
following:
1. To become familiar with major literary genres and evaluate major works
from both historical and contemporary literature
2. To develop strengths in critical analysis
3. To develop academic writing skills, utilizing MLA style, common writing
patterns, and strong vocabulary
4. To work towards proficiency in standard English grammar and mechanics
Texts:
Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes
Romeo and Juliet (in Literature book)
The Book Thief
General Expectations: In addition to following the rules and procedures as stated
in the student handbook, students are expected to be in class, when the bell rings
every day, prepared with their homework and/or in-class materials. Students who
receive more than two tardies in a two-week period will be assigned a detention.
Students are expected to treat their instructor and fellow students with respect.
Participation: Students will be awarded points on a regular basis for participating
in class. Participation includes, but is not limited to: answering questions during
lectures, offering ideas during discussion, working with colleagues to edit and revise
writing assignments, and general professionalism appropriate to a school setting.
Students who come to class unprepared or without having done the assigned
reading will lose the opportunity to gain participation points.
Homework: Students should expect homework daily. Because of the
interdisciplinary nature of this class, daily homework may be either reading or
writing. If a reading was assigned for homework, students can expect to see it on
the final exam and students should be prepared to be quizzed on the material on
the day the reading is due. If writing was assigned for homework, students should
expect that we will either hand it in for credit or edit and revise it in class the next
day. Failure to be prepared with either writing or reading assignments, then, will
result in loss of points for the in-class activities for the day as well as for
participation.
Late Work: Students who are absent from class have one day from their first day
back to complete the homework. Assignments that are one day late will be
accepted for half credit after that, a zero will be given unless you have reached a
different agreement with the instructor.

Grading: The grade scale from the student handbook will be used for all grading in
this course. Semester grades will be computed according to the following:
Quarter 1 Grade (40%) + Quarter 2 Grade (40%) + Final Exam (20%)
Independent Reading: This semester, students will be asked to choose a
contemporary American text (from a list of suggested reading) that they will explore
on their own and during in-class reading time. This reading experience will
culminate in a final project wherein students connect their contemporary piece with
another text from an earlier time period.
Course Outline:
I.
Timeless Techniques: Critical Thinking and Composition
a. Research Writing: Review
b. Thesis statements
c. Paragraph structure
d. Compare/Contrast Essay: Elizabethan Era
II.
Timeless Themes: Romeo and Juliet
a. Literary Interpretation: Drama
b. Literary Interpretation: Written Analysis
III.
Timeless Issues: Human Dignity and Social Justice
a. Nonfiction:
b. Historical fiction: The Book Thief
c. Historical issues in contemporary literatures
d. Analyzing Holocausts, Designing Peace: Creative Project

Please sign the bottom portion of this syllabus and return to class by Friday,
January 24.
Student Name: _________________________________________
Student Signature: ______________________________________
Parent Signature: _______________________________________
Date: __________________