Academy Park High School

Course Syllabus
English III College Prep: American Literature
Course Information: Teacher Information:
Credit Hour: 1.0 Name: Mrs. Sacrenty
Marking Period: 3, 4 Phone: 610-522-4330 x 6202
Class Location: Room 202 Office Location: Room 202
Office Hours: T, W, Th 2:40-3:10pm
Email: jsacrenty@sedelco.org

School  A(ributes
The  manner  in  which  we  prepare  students  at  Academy  Park  High  School  is  informed  by  four  a<ributes:  (1)  Dedicated  
faculty  who  will  hold  themselves  to,  at  minimum,  to  the  same  standards  as  the  students  we  teach;  (2)  PosiFve  
relaFonships  developed  and  nurtured  between  and  among  adults  and  students;  (3)  A  high  level  of  rigor  included  in  
instrucFonal  pracFces  via  standards  aligned  and  contextually  driven  instrucFon;  and  (4)  ConnecFng  posiFve  relaFonships  
with  effecFve  instrucFon  for  posiFve  academy  RESULTS!

Course  Descrip3on
The  eleventh  grade  English  course  is  designed  as  a  companion  to  the  American  Cultures  class,  surveying  American  
literature  from  the  eighteenth  through  the  twenFeth  centuries.  The  study  includes  various  forms  of  literature  from  many  
American  movements,  beginning  with  slave  narraFves  and  conFnuing  through  the  Transcendental  movement.  The  
material  is  taught  in  a  themaFc  approach  with  a  chronological  format.    Students  trace  the  development  of  American  
Literature  and  discuss  the  historical  and  cultural  environments  which  contributed  to  it.  In  doing  this,  they  come  to  
recognize  the  development  of  an  American  voice  and  idenFty.    Wri<en  expression  of  ideas  is  emphasized,  and  effecFve  
reading  strategies  are  taught  and  pracFced.    Students  are  required  to  complete  research  projects,  wriFng  assignments,  
and  all  reading  assignments.

Course  Competencies/  Learning  Objec3ves

Students  who  successfully  complete  College  Preparatory  English  III  will  be  competent  in  the  following  areas:

• Students  will  be  able  to  idenFfy  and  explain  social,  poliFcal,  and  cultural  connecFons  between  the  Fme  periods  in  
American  history  and  American  literature.
• Students  will  be  able  to  conduct  in-­‐depth  analysis  of  works  of  literature,  including  deliberate  choices  made  by  
authors.
• Students  will  be  able  to  recognize,  evaluate,  and  create  figuraFve  language  and  other  elements  of  poetry
• Students  will  increase  their  working  vocabulary  and  reading  fluency.
• Students  will  be  able  to  locate,  evaluate,  and  uFlize  viable  sources  for  research.
• Students  will  be  able  to  write  with  a  command  of  voice,  grammar,  and  style.

Student  Evalua3on
The  grading  system  for  the  English  Department  at  Academy  Park  High  School  is  as  follows:

Project:  Tests,  Projects,  &  Major  Papers  and/or  Assignments..................................................................  50  %  

Classwork:  Quizzes,  Classwork,  &  Minor  Assignments............................................................................    20  %  
A(endance  &  Class  Par3cipa3on...........................................................................................................  20  %  
Homework.............................................................................................................................................  10%

The  above  areas  will  be  used  as  the  basis  for  80%  of  your  grade  per  semester.  The  midterm  and/or  final  exam  will  
consFtute  the  remaining  20%  of  your  grade  per  semester.  

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A(endance  Policy
Regular  and  prompt  class  a<endance  is  an  essenFal  part  of  the  educaFonal  experience.  Academy  Park  High  School  
expects  students  to  exercise  good  judgment  regarding  a<endance  and  absences.  Students  will  accept  full  responsibility  
for  ensuring  their  work  does  not  suffer  because  of  absences.  All  students  are  expected  to  a<end  every  scheduled  class  
on  Fme.  ExcepFons  may  be  made  for  illness  and  valid  emergencies.

Classroom  Expecta3ons
1.  Arrive  on  Fme  to  class.  Unexcused  lateness  may  result  in  detenFon  and/or  negaFve  impact  on  grade.
2.  Come  prepared  to  class  with  all  relevant  materials  (wriFng  utensil,  notebook,  texts,  etc.)  
3.  Late  work  will  not  be  accepted  unless  it  is  a  result  of  an  excused  absence.
4.    No  food  or  drink.
5.    Cell  phones/ipods/  other  personal  items  are  not  permi<ed.  Use  of  these  items  may  result  in  confiscaFon  or  other  
disciplinary  acFon.
6.    Be  respeceul  (of  others,  your  surroundings,  and  yourself!)

Addi3onal  Class  Requirements  

• Students  will  be  required  to  complete  mandatory  reading  outside  of  class.
• All  students  are  responsible  for  having  summer  reading  assignments  completed.  This  counts  as  part  of  the  3rd  MP  
grade.  
• All  students  are  responsible  for  the  care  of  borrowed  materials  (novels,  textbooks,  etc.)  Fines  will  be  
administered  for  lost/stolen/damaged  items.

Plagiarism,  Chea3ng,  and  Academic  Integrity

Plagiarism  is  the  pracFce  of  copying  words,  sentences,  images,  or  ideas  for  use  in  wri<en  or  oral  assessments  without  
giving  proper  credit  to  the  source.  CheaFng  is  defined  as  the  giving  or  receiving  of  illegal  help  on  anything  that  has  been  
determined  by  the  teacher  to  be  an  individual  effort.  Both  are  considered  serious  offenses  and  will  significantly  affect  
your  course  grade.  Please  refer  to  the  Student  Code  of  Conduct  booklet  for  addiFonal  informaFon.  
*Please  see  a(ached  APHS  Plagiarism  Policy  that  must  be  signed  by  all  students  and  parents/guardians

Methodology
A  combinaFon  of  lecture,  class  discussion,  presentaFons,  videos,  cooperaFve  learning,  and  problem-­‐based  learning  will  
be  used  in  this  course.  Grades  will  be  determined  by  the  saFsfactory  and  Fmely  compleFon  of  assignments.  The  grade  of  
each  assignment  is  based  on  the  prerequisite  given  for  each  assignment.  Below  is  an  overview  of  topic/  units  and  major  
assessments/assignments  for  this  course:  

• Narra$ves  (slaves):  What  was  it  like  living  as  a  slave  in  the  United  States?    SHOULD  first  person  accounts  be  believed  
by  readers?  Douglass,  Equiano,  Sojourner  Truth,  UGRR,  composing  runaway  narraFves,  modern-­‐day  slavery
• Roman$cism:  We  will  overcome  “I  hate  poetry”  syndrome.    Learn  how/why  poets  communicate  their  ideas.        
Discover  the  impact  of  figura4ve  language.      See  rela4onship  between  a  society  and  its  literature.  Poetry  (Fireside  Poets  
and  others)    Short  Stories,  “Are  you  in  the  mood?”  project
• Transcendentalism:  Basic  values  and  belief  system…the  world  takes  noFce!  Value  of  the  self,  value  of  nature…inspiring  
others  through  conscienFous  law-­‐breaking.  Highlights:    Emerson,  Thoreau,  Dickinson,  Whitman.  
• Drama:  The  Crucible  (Miller)  -­‐    witch  hunt  controversy  –  connecFon  to  the  Cold  War
• Novel  studies:  Learn  literary  analysis  through  Literature  Circle  discussion  groups  

Rewrite  Policy
Any  wri<en  assignment  that  receives  a  less  than  desirable  grade  may  be  revised  and  rescored.      SFpulaFons:    assignment  
MUST  have  been  iniFally  submi<ed  on  Fme;  rewrite  can  only  occur  AFTER  a  student-­‐teacher  conference  about  the  work;  
assignments  MUST  be  revised  in  a  Fmely  fashion  (i.e.,  a  few  days  aper  the  iniFal  due  date.)

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Please  acknowledge  that  you  have  read  and  understand  the  informaFon  explained  in  the  course  syllabus.  

__________________________________________     _____________________________________________
Student  Signature                                        Date  

__________________________________________     _____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian  Signature           Date  

Academy  Park  High  School  Chea3ng/Plagiarism  Policy

(From  Handbook  of  Informa3on  and  Code  of  Conduct,  Page  40)  

CheaFng  is  defined  as  the  giving  or  receiving  of  illegal  help  on  anything  that  has  been  
determined  by  the  teacher  to  require  an  individual  effort.  It  is  considered  a  serious  offense.  

Plagiarism  is  the  pracFce  of  copying  words,  sentences,  images,  or  ideas  for  use  in  wri<en  or  
oral  assessments  without  giving  proper  credit  to  the  source.  It  is  considered  a  serious  offense.  

Please  acknowledge  that  you  have  read  and  understand  the  APHS  CheaFng/Plagiarism  Policy,  and  understand  that  any  
form  of  cheaFng  and/or  plagiarism  will  not  be  tolerated  in  English  III.  

__________________________________________     _____________________________________________
Student  Signature                                        Date  

__________________________________________     _____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian  Signature           Date  

Film  Consent  Form  

Occasionally  throughout  the  semester  we  present  films  in  class  that  compliment  our  curriculum  and  are  rated  PG-­‐13  
and/or  R.  We’d  like  your  child  to  parFcipate  in  viewing  these  and  ask  that  you  please  sign  this  consent  allowing  them  to  
do  so.  FIlms  that  may  be  considered  for  viewing:  

The  Crucible  (Rated  PG-­‐13  for  intense  depicFon  of  the  Salem  witch  trials)  
Amistad  (Rated  R  for  some  scenes  of  strong  brutal  violence  and  some  related  nudity)
The  Last  of  the  Mohicans  (Rated  R  for  violence)  Please  call  with  any  quesFons  or  concerns.

__________________________________________     _____________________________________________
Parent/Guardian  Signature           Date  

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 Student  &  Parent/Guardian  Informa3on  Page  
(Please  print)  

Block:  _________________

Student  First  &  Last  Name:  _______________________________________________________________

Student  Contact  Phone  Number:  __________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian  First  &  Last  Name:  ________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian  Contact  Phone  Number:  ___________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian  Email  Address:  ________________________________________________________________________

In  effort  to  support  the  “green”  mentality,  I  will  accept  electronic  submissions  for  some  assignments  (to  be  determined).  
I  will  also  uFlize  email  for  assignments,  literature  circle  discussions,  communicaFon  in  my  absence,  etc.  

Please  provide  an  email  address  that  you  will  use  during  the  semester:
(PRINT  LEGIBLY)  

Student  Main  Email  Address:  __________________________________________________________________________

Student  Secondary  Email  Address:  ______________________________________________________________________