DEVI International Boarding School

2023/24
Semester 1
Teacher: Michaela Krimmer

12 English
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Welcome to English 12!

In this course, we will explore the English language and various literary as well as media
sources. Grammatical, written and oratory skills will be continuously worked on, ensuring a
deepening of the students’ language and understanding skills.

We will look closely at Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse, Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
as well as selected essays and texts by transcendentalist as well as other US
American and Canadian authors exploring themes, such as the search for spiritual
enlightenment, personal happiness, finding one’s true self and the role nature and
adventure might play in that search.

We will further explore various types of business writing, differentiating between their
instructional, informational, persuasive, and transactional purposes, as well as further
scientific writing and the standard use of referencing.

We will read together a novel by an author from the Middle East (A 1000 Splendid Suns
by Khaled Hosseini or The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan), exploring the art of fact based
storytelling and the political circumstances surrounding the plot.

We will read and compare the ancient greek drama Antigone by Sophocles and Romeo
and Juliet by William Shakespeare, comparing the literary styles in describing the
devastating effects of extreme parental control and other themes.

We will also take a closer look at investigative journalism and media literacy, resulting in
the production a feature article.

Course Materials:
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
A 1000 Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini OR The Lemon Tree by Sandy Tolan
Antigone by Sophocles
Romeo And Juliet by William Shakespeare
Selected short stories, poetry, videos, newspaper and scientific articles (provided)

Suggested:
• “The Prophet“ by Khalil Gibran
• “Persepolis“ by Marjane Satrapi
• “The Shadow of the Sun“ by Rysard Kapuczyinski
 • “Resurrection“ by Leo Tolstoy

Course Grade Breakdown:

10% Unit 1 Siddharta (Novel Study) + Into the Wild (Novel Study)
10% Unit 2 Author from the Middle East
10% Unit 3 Research Paper

10% Unit 4 Antigone (Play Study) + Romeo and Juliet (Play Study)
10% Unit 5 Investigative Journalism
10% Unit 6 Business Writing

10% Participation
10% Midterm examination
20% Final examination

Major Units, Dates and Assessments: (term duration: 17 weeks (1 week camping, 1 week
midterms, 1 week finals = 14 weeks)

SEMESTER 1
UNIT 1: Siddharta (Novel Study) + Into the Wild (Novel Study)
In this unit, students will be looking at key themes, motifs and symbols in Hermann
Hesse’s Siddhartha and Krakauer’s Into the Wild. They will explore various
philosophical perspectives on the nature of (spiritual) seeking, as well as the
authors’ contemporaries and their influences on them. They will compare and
contrast the respective themes with transcendentalist authors like Ralph Waldo
Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, as well as other US American and Candian
authors.
2 weeks

Assessments:
• Philosophical Essay
• Socratic Circle
• Quiz
• Homework

UNIT 2: A 1000 Splendid Suns OR The Lemon Tree (Novel Study)

In this unit students will explore the novel of one author of the Middle East.
3 weeks

Assesment:
• Presentation
• Writing Assigments/Homework

Unit 3: Research Paper

Students will write a research paper on a topic of their choice practicing their academic
structuring, writing and referencing skills.
1 week

Assessments:
• Topic Proposal
 • Reasearch Outline
• Research paper
• Lecture performance

Further Assessments:
• Mid term examination

SEMESTER 2
UNIT 4: Antigone (Play Study) and Romeo and Juliet (Play Study)
In this unit, students will be reading William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet in
depth and compare it with Sophocles’ Antigone.
3 weeks

Assessments:
• Performance
• Essay
• Homework

Unit 5: Investigate Journalism

In this unit students will take a closer look on the structure and storytelling of feature
articles of investigative journalism. After analyzing varoius articles they will write
an article themselves using all learned techniques.
2 weeks

Assessments:
• News update
• Feature Article
• Analysis Feature Article

Unit 6: Business writing (partly in semester 1 as well)

In this unit, students will be polishing their business writing skills.
2 weeks

Assessments:
• Quiz
• Presentation
• Writing and video assignments

Further Assessments:
• Final examination