Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Literature
I. Course Scope and Description
A. Course Description
This one-year course is designed to survey English literature from the Anglo-Saxon period through the
21st century. This course is designated as honors level by the accelerated instructional pacing and depth of
content. Emphasis is placed on the development of critical reading and writing skills. Instructional practices
incorporate integration of diversity awareness including appreciation of all cultures and their important
contributions to society. The appropriate use of technology is an integral part of this course. The course fulfills
either one of the English credits or the arts/humanities credit required for high school graduation.
B. Scope and Goals
To use word analysis and strategies to comprehend new words encountered in complex text and to
2.0]
To evaluate and critique the use and purpose of advanced literary elements, stylistic devices, and
techniques used by English writers. [NS: 3.0]
To analyze the socio-economic, political, religious, and philosophical aspects of English literature
from the Anglo-Saxons through the 20th century. [NS: 3.0, 4.0]
To apply the five stages of the reading process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing
to develop compositions that demonstrate stylistic maturity and advanced organization. [NS: 5.0]
To write a variety of advanced narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive compositions that
develop complex themes or ideas. [NS: 6.0]
To refine and extend effective listening and speaking skills. [NS: 7.0, 8.0]
C. Textbooks
The course outline will be chronological and will follow the textbook fairly closely.
III. Grading Policy
Please be aware that I do not round up any grades. If a student receives 59.9%, she or he has earned
a letter grade of F, not D. Please do not expect this grade to be rounded up to a passing score.
A. Grading Scale
90-100% = A
80-89% = B
70-79% = C
60-69% = D
60% is the minimum passing grade. CCSD policy does not entitle its students to automatic rounding of a
borderline grade, nor will extra credit be given. Students should not have the expectation that if their grade is
below a certain number that it will be rounded or artificially inflated. Students should especially consider the
importance of this fact if they are prospective graduating seniors.
B. Description of Grading Procedures
1. Weighted Grades
Writing=40%. This includes final drafts of all essays, in-class essays, compositions, paragraphs, or
other finished products of writing.
Tests=30%. This includes quizzes, tests, or other objective assessments of understanding. This
category does not include the midterm or final.
Participation=20%. This includes all forms of discussion or preparation for class activities. Discussion
or other class activities are intended to demonstrate prior or ongoing preparation for the class, to prove that
one has read the work or done an activity necessary for full participation in subsequent classroom activities, to
provide evidence that one has thought about the issues to be discussed, and to show that one is prepared to
engage with the thoughts of others
Other = 10%. This includes assessments of student mastery other than writing or objective tests. This
category may include such demonstrations of mastery as book talks, for example.
2. Attendance
Obviously, attendance has a huge effect on your grade. Although attendance and make-up work will be
handled according to CCSD policy, there are some classroom experiences that cannot be repeated. Please be
here; it helps your grade.
3. Citizenship Grade
O = The O is the default grade for citizenship and will include the following behaviors:
The student is fully prepared to participate in activities or discussion and comes equipped with all
necessary materials.
The student acts respectfully toward the teacher and other students.
The student occasionally lapses in the above-named behaviors, but maintains them approximately
70% of the time.
U = Unsatisfactory
This citizenship grade will be given if the student frequently lapses in appropriate behaviors including
those named above. Parent contact may be made to discuss possible courses of improvement.
NOTE: Please note that I would like all cell phones to be turned off or put on silent mode. Texting, IMing, or
communication on social networking sites during class is not appropriate under any circumstances. Please
maintain an attitude of respectful courtesy during class and use electronic devices appropriately that is, as
aides to your understanding, not distractions from it.
4. Notebooks
The notebook will contain homework, notes, returned work, and class handouts. The notebook will be
checked periodically and will count as a homework assignment. The student should keep all g raded work and
all assignments within the notebook at all times. In the event of a grade dispute, the students graded work is
proof that s/he has completed the work and received a grade. Without that proof, the student may be required
to resubmit or redo an assignment.
5. Homework
Homework will normally be assigned on a once- or twice-weekly basis. Homework will normally be
checked and recorded, but will not normally count toward a grade. Homework will be a chance for the student
to practice the course concepts or prepare for the class. Please be advised that if a students grade drops below
an acceptable level, the homework checks may be referred to during any conference between the students
parent and the teacher in order to demonstrate that the student has or has not engaged in supplementary
practice provided for mastery of course goals and objectives.
Please presume that all work, classwork, or homework done for this class, unless clearly specified
otherwise, is to be the product of an individual students mind. Getting help from another person to the point
where the integrity of the students own work comes under question is not advised in the least and may lead to
the teachers decision that the work violates the academic honesty policy. Copying, borrowing, or getting
help from another student when the work is expected to have been done individually may possibly result in a
grade of 0 for the assignment, attempted parent contact and discussion, and (if further incidents of
dishonesty occur), a U in citizenship for the quarter for failure to follow classroom rules.
6. Spelling, Grammar, Neatness
All compositions are to be typed, double-spaced, and in a font size between 10-12 pt. All assignments
are to be neatly written on non-spiral paper. All assignments must be proofread for grammar, spelling,
mechanics, and usage errors. Should a student attempt to submit a paper that falls outside those guidelines, it
will not be accepted until after a wholesale, thorough revision has been performed and may lose point value.
7. Extra Credit Policy
No extra credit will be given, nor will grades be rounded. Please concentrate on earning credit by
completing the assigned work.
C. Basis for Quarter and Semester Grades
1. Quarter Grades
The quarter grades will each count for 45% of the semester grade.
2. Semester Grades
The semester examinations will count for 10% of the final grade.
D. Make-up Procedures
Makeup procedures will be handled according to school and district policy. The student is required to
initiate contact with the instructor to obtain appropriate makeup work within three school days following the
students return. Students may make up work at any time prior to two weeks before quarterly grades are to be
submitted by the teacher.
IV. Classroom Behavior Expectations
Computers are to be used for legitimate research directly related to the class objectives. Students will
be expected to access the course website frequently for information regarding the course content, activities,
methods, and texts. Students are expected to adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy of CCSD.
Additionally, electronic devices including (but not restricted to) cell phones, mp3 players, handheld
devices, or other technology may be prohibited during class time, particularly if they interfere with students
ability to succeed. Texting during class is always prohibited.
B. Proper Use of Internet
If students are tardy, they are to sign into the tardy book as they enter with their name, the date, and
the time entered. Please make sure writing is legible. This tardy notebook is proof that students were present in
class on that day.
D. Behavior During In-Class Work
Students will be expected to participate daily in classroom activities and discussion. In addition to
being required as part of the CCSD Power Standards, discussion is a valid alternate assessment and
demonstrably effective in increasing student performance and mastery of material (see Robert J.
Marzano, Classroom Instruction That Works, pp. 85-91, 104-110) . Students will also be expected to
demonstrate appropriate politeness to other students and the teacher.
E. Talking
Please keep conversations appropriate, on the appropriate topic, and at an appropriat evolume.
Violations of this classroom policy may result in disciplinary action.
F. Progressive Discipline Plan
Please enter, sit at your assigned seat, and begin working or assemble materials needed for class
participation. Please wait to be dismissed.
H. Daily Materials
Please bring a three-ring binder and dividers. Please bring the text or materials we are currently
reading. Please keep all writing, tests, handouts, vocabulary, graded work, or class materials for the ENTIRE
year. If your grade is disputed and you do not have the work to provide evidence of work completed, the default
grade will of necessity be a zero.
V. Items Unique to English Literature Honors
A. Academic Honesty
Academic dishonesty, also known as plagiarism, can be defined as taking credit for, presenting as
ones own, or putting into ones own words the words, ideas, concepts, analyses, thought, creative products, or
data of another person or organization without giving appropriate written credit to that person or organization
in the form of both internal citation and a works cited list provided in ones own document. Plagiarism also
includes improper or incorrect citation. Cheating can be defined as a form of plagiarism (above) or as using the
products of another persons mind or an external source of data to provide answers on an examination, a
written assignment, a project, or other coursework or activity.
Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated. Any student caught cheating will receive a zero on his or
her work with no possibility of make-up, a parent conference, and (if the academic dishonesty continues) a U in
citizenship for the quarter based on failure to follow classroom rules. No recommendations for college,
scholarship, employment, or other recommendations will be given by me for any student who cheats or
plagiarizes.
At any point, your written work may be submitted to a plagiarism detection service such
as Turnitin.com. Please be advised that if there is similarity between a students paper and information
contained within the Turnitin.comdatabase, that student will be presented with the data, the teacher will
attempt to contact the students parents, and a grade of 0 [zero] will be given on the paper with no possibility
of make-up.
Please presume that all work done for this class, unless clearly specified otherwise, is to be the product
of an individual students mind. Getting help from another person to the point where the integrity of the
students own work comes under question is not advised in the least and may lead to the teachers decision that
the work violates the academic honesty policy. Copying, borrowing, or getting help from another student
when the work is expected to have been done individually may possibly result in consequences for academic
dishonesty.
B. Bias Prevention
In order to minimize potential positive or negative bias, much of your work (including but not
restricted to papers, compositions, essays, tests, projects, or other work) will be submitted under classroomappropriate pseudonyms of your owninvention. A grade will assigned before I am aware of your true identity.
Please do not use the same pseudonym repeatedly; it will quickly lose its ability to conceal your true identity.
Also, please keep track of your pseudonym because if I dont know that a piece of writing was completed by
you, I have to mark it as a zero in my grade book.
C. The Redo Policy
During the year, it may be possible to redo selected papers and examinations at the teachers
You will study two dramatic comedies including one play by Shakespeare.
You will be assessed through 2 pieces of written coursework.
You will study three texts and compare aspects of a given topic.
You will be assessed through a 2 hour written paper.
You will study 3 texts, one of which will be a pre-released anthology of critical writing
applied to a piece of literature
You will be assessed through 2 pieces of written coursework.
you are enthusiastic about reading, enjoy discussion and want the opportunity to learn
more about all types of literature then this course is for you.
English Literature is an interesting, yet challenging subject, teaching students to engage
critically with texts from a range of contexts and genres. It is this breadth of study and level
of engagement with issues that are common to us all that means it is also a fascinating
subject.
The study of Literature will test your ability to build on the ideas of others and develop your
own independent thought. You will explore the craft of the author and consider different
aspects of narrative that inform their writing. It also develops your own skills of written
communication through analytical writing.