WORLD LITERATURE & COMPOSITION
COURSE SYLLABUS
CedarGroveHigh School
Teacher(s): Ms. Krystal Cox / Phone Number: 678-874-4058Room Number: 225 / Email:
Semester: Fall 2015 / Tutorial Days: Tuesday and Thursday
Textbook: Multiple (see below) / Tutorial Hours: 3:20-4:20 other times available upon request
Textbook Price: Replacement cost / Tutorial Location: Rm. 225
Department Philosophy:Literature is a reflection of the human experience. Students learn to love literature when they experience it.
Course Description:This course focus on the study of World Literature. The student develops an understanding of chronological context and the relevance of period structures in literature within cultures around the world. The student develops an understanding of the ways the place of origin of a work of literature affects its structure and how the chronology of a work of literature affects its meaning. The student develops an understanding of literature as both a product of its culture and as a culture-bearer and recognizes the commonalities and differences among works of literature from different times and places in the world. The class will focus on a study of literary themes. The student develops an understanding that theme is what relates literature to life, and that themes recur in diverse works of literature. The student develops an understanding that the interpretation of a work of literature derives from the theme or themes in the work. The student connects the theme in literary texts to his or her life experience.
Course Prerequisites: 9th Literature and Composition
GPS Standards/QCC Objectives: See the Georgia Performance Standards Web Site for a complete breakdown:
Course Outline:
Unit 1: / Propaganda Techniques: Julius Caesar / Unit 3: / Emphasis on AfricaUnit 2: / Asian Philosophy: Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism / Unit 4: / Rhetoric
Grading Scale:
GRADING SYSTEM: The DeKalb County School District believes that the most important assessment of student learning shall be conducted by the teachers as they observe and evaluate students in the context of ongoing classroom instruction. A variety of approaches, methodologies, and resources shall be used to deliver educational services and to maximize each student’s opportunity to succeed. Teachers shall evaluate student progress, report grades that represent the student’s academic achievement, and communicate official academic progress to students and parents in a timely manner through the electronic grading portal. See Board Policy IHA.GRADING CATEGORIES / *GRADE PROTOCOL
Pre-Assessment - 0%
Assessment During Learning – 25%
Guided, Group Practice – 45%
Summative Assessment – 30% / A90 – 100
B80 – 89
C71 – 79
D70
FBelow 70
* The teacher reserves the right to change or adjust any section of this course syllabus at any time.
DISTRICT EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCCESSSTUDENT PROGRESS / Semester progress reports shall be issued four and a half, nine and thirteen and a half weeks into each semester. The progress of students shall be evaluated frequently and plans shall be generated to remediate deficiencies as they are discovered.Plans shall include appropriate interventions designed to meet the needs of the students. See Board Policy IH.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY / Students will not engage in an act of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating, providing false information, falsifying school records, forging signatures, or using an unauthorized computer user ID or password.See the Code of Student Conduct - Student Rights and Responsibilities and Character Development Handbook.
HOMEWORK / Homework assignments should be meaningful and should be an application or adaptation of a classroom experience. Homework is at all times an extension of the teaching/learning experience. It should be considered the possession of the student and should be collected, evaluated and returned to the students. See Board Policy IHB.
MAKE-UP WORK
DUE TO ABSENCES / When a student is absent because of a legal reason as defined by Georgia law or when the absence is apparently beyond the control of the student, the student shall be given an opportunity to earn grade(s) for those days absent. Make-up work must be completed within the designated time allotted. See Board Policy IHEA.
Policies and Procedures:
Absenteeism: Willingly missing random days at leisure is not to be recommended. Daily in-class teacher-student contact is required to help maximize your chances of success in this class. However, being absent is sometimes unavoidable. Each student is to partner himself with a minimum of two other students who will serve as “team mates.” It is the responsibility of the student to check with his support team to obtain the class notes and other assignments. Failure to report to school the day before the test does not excuse you from taking the test on its scheduled day if you are present. If a test is missed, a valid note must be provided, and the test may be made up in a timely fashion—two days. An alternate test may be given based upon circumstances.
Electronic devices/ Cell phones:Per DeKalb County School District cell phones and electronic devices are not allowed in the classroom. If possible please leave all electronics at home. Cell phones are to be turned off upon entering the building. I am aware that emergencies arise, and if someone needs to contact you, please use the school’s number as a contact number (678) 874-4002. If for some reason you fail to power off your device, and it is heard, you will be asked to turn it in to me. If you choose to refuse to give me the device, you and your device will be asked to leave class and disciplinary actions will be taken.
- Attendance: You are expected to attend class daily. You should be in your seat ready to begin work when the tardy bell rings. If you are late you will need to sign the tardy log. After three consecutive incidents of tardiness you will be referred to the discipline office.
- Classroom Expectations: You are expected to respect yourself, your classmates, visitors and your teacher at all times. You will raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking. You will remain in your seat unless otherwise instructed.
Notebooks:The keeping of a well-organized notebook is a must for this course. Several handouts will be given and it is the responsibility of the student to daily bring all handouts to class. If a handout is lost, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain another copy on his own.
Restroom: Students are expected to take care of personal needs between classes. Instructional time should not be spent outside of the classroom. There are few cases when there is an emergency and Ms. Cox will decide the course of action. Outside of extenuating circumstances, students are not allowed to leave the classroom during instructional time.
Food and Beverages: In an attempt to promote a healthier mind and body, water is permitted. Do not eat foods in class. No gum chewing is allowed in class.
Discipline Options:I prefer to handle minor infractions in class. If for some reason, you are unable stay in class as a valuable member, you may be asked to sit in another class. An additional assignment will be provided, and both the original assignment and additional assignment are due by a date set by me. Assignments missed due to your absence because of a disciplinary problem may not be made up. Minor infractions may be resolved by assigning detention. The length of the detention and the detention activity vary based upon the infraction and the circumstances. Other methods of discipline, based upon the child, circumstance, and level of occurrence will be used to deter said infractions.
Late work: Many assignments will be given with ample time for completion. It is the responsibility of the student to make every effort to submit all assignments earlier than, or by the due date. Late assignments are often useless because the assignment will have been discussed in class on the due date, and assignments turned in late miss the benefit of in-class discussion. If unable to personally bring an assignment to class on the due date, arrange to have a team member bring it in for discussion or submit it electronically by class time, in addition to bringing in a hard copy of the assignment on the next school day. Electronic submissions are only used to verify that an assignment has been completed on time--Not for grading purposes. Hard copies must be submitted for grades.
- Make-up Policy:
A student has three days to make up work missed due to an excused absence from school. It is the student’s responsibility to find out what was missed and make it up as soon as the student returns to school.
- Re-do Policy:
At the teacher’s discretion, students may have the opportunity to redo work that falls below a 70.
- Intervention: Students whose average drops below 74 will be expected to attend mandatory tutorials to increase learning.
- Tutorial
Ms. Cox is available after school every Thursday and most Tuesdays starting at 3:20 p.m. Students who are late will not be able to participate. Please let Ms. Cox know in advance if you are planning to stay after school for tutorial.
Required Materials:
1 notebook pencil pouch1 3 ring binder (1 ½ to 2 inch)
1 pack of pencils (#2 only)1 pack of notebook paper
1 pack of blue or black ink pens1 set of section dividers
1 pack of highlighters 1 pack of index cards
1 USB flash drive1 set of headphones (for instructional videos)
Parents, please refrain from calling your child during school hours on his cell phone. During school hours, cell phones are to be powered offand your child will be disciplined for cell phone usage during class sessions. Feel free to call the school’s front office at 678-874-4002 in case of an emergency. The office staff will then pull your child, and allow him to use the school’s phone in private. This policy will cut down on class distractions, thus providing the best academic environment for your child. Your cooperation with us in this regard is greatly appreciated.
Parent: (Please initial all that apply)
___My child discussed the classroom discipline plan & the syllabus with me. I understand and will support it.
___I will make sure my child has all of the materials on the materials list by Monday, August 17, 2015.
___I will check Infinite Campus regularly to track my child’s attendance and academic progress in class.
___I will attend meetings via phone or in person about my child’s progress.
___If I have questions or concerns I will contact Ms. Cox via email or by phone.
______
Parent Signature Parent Name (Print)
Contact Number: ______Alternate Number ______
Parent Email Address: ______
Student: I have read this discipline plan and course syllabus. I understand and will honor it.
______
Student Signature Student Name (Print)
Required Materials:
1 set of headphones1 notebook pencil pouch
1 3 ring binder (1 ½ to 2 inch)1 pack of pencils (#2 only)
1 pack of notebook paper 1 pack of blue or black ink pens
1 set of section dividers1 pack of highlighters
1 pack of index cardsUSB flash drive