Helping Our Youth Achieve by Providing Relevant Instruction for a Diverse Environment

World Literature

Course Syllabus

Teacher’s contact information Name: Mr. Kirkley

E-mail:

Blog:

Course description

World Literature is a college prep course which surveys the works of the early literature of the world through the present day. Focusing on a 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 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. Writing experiences related to the interpretation of literature, research, daily grammar practice, vocabulary development, listening, and speaking are also elements of this course.

Units of Study

We move chronologically through history focusing on cultural differences and similarities in order to better understand the world around us. In addition to the thematic units of study listed below, students will also learn how to analyze text, text features, and author’s purpose, in order to better understand everything read in and out of class. As a class, we will also learn the art of synthesis, and use it throughout the course. Within each unit there are smaller formative assessments as well as thematic based informational articles, art, film, and music. At the end of each unit, there will be a different summative assessment based on our learning goals for the unit. All texts are listed below.

Units of study with Summative Assessments:

Journey of the Hero: What is the measure of a man? How do our definitions of “hero” vary culture to culture?

-Medieval short stories

-Iliad

-Summative Assessment: Create your own hero and his journey

Quest for Understanding or Beliefs: How does Dante’s cultural view of heaven affect people still today? (parallel novel Dan Brown’s Inferno- student must purchase)

-Dante’s Inferno with clips from the various videos and informational articles and art work based on Dante

-Summative Assessment: SAT based exam , Levels of “Hell” diagramming activity

The Renaissance and Rationalism: How does Shakespeare’s comedy reflect changes in cultural norms of the time?

- Student are encouraged to purchase a copy of Midsummer’s Night Dream The Graphic Novel: Original Text

-Summative Assessment: Multiple Choice Assessment, graphic novel panel analysis

The Contemporary World: How has the world changed since the 1940s? How have these changes affected our cultural norms?

-Night by Elie Wiesel

-Lord of the Flies (a novel) by William Golding

-Summative Assessment: Multiple Choice Assessment

Heroes in the midst of horrors: Is the world a good or bad place? Has your definition of hero changed from the beginning of the semester to now?

-Nonfiction texts relating to modern day holocausts, videos, interviews

-Summative Assessment: Multiple choice cumulative assessment

Conventions and SAT (PSAT)

Manuscript Form, Punctuation (commas, semicolons, colons), Clauses (dependent, independent),

Phrases (verbal, prepositional), Agreement (pronoun/antecedent, subject/verb), Sentence Types, SAT and PSAT prep

Writing– Focus on argumentative writing

Timed Writing,argumentative, narrative, annotated bibliography, synthesis and literary analysis

Vocabulary – $10 to sign up. We will be using the following website for vocabulary

*The teacher reserves the right to make adjustments in course content as needed.

Parallel Readings

In addition to textbook material, students will read up to four county-approved works both inside and outside of class time. Additional county-approved titles may be added to this list at the teacher’s discretion. Parent signature indicates permission for the possibility of the student reading these works of literature from Cobb County’s approved parallel reading list (see above units of study). These books can be purchased or rented if they are not provided in class to all students. The books for this semester include Dan Brown’s Inferno(must purchase this novel, we will begin reading this novel at the end of the second week), A Midsummer’s Night Dream Graphic Novel:Original Text, Night by Elie Wiesel, andLord of the Flies by William Golding.

The Research Paper

Cobb County Guide to the Research Paper, available at

Class Information

  1. Turn in work on time! All assignments are due at the beginning of the period on the due-date given. Late work will be given a maximum gradeof 70%. NO late work will be accepted after the unit test/project/ or essay.
  2. When absent, it is the student’s responsibility to get the assignments and arrange time for make-ups, you have three days to make these arrangements. If you are absent, check the blog for class information and downloadable handouts. Make up your work when you are absent, and turn it in on time!
  3. All assignments and deadlines will be posted in the classroom and on the blog ( every day. Copy them down when you first arrive in class every day.
  4. Printing: The student computer works but is not hooked up to the printer. You may come in early or stay after as needed and I can let you in lab 113 if you let me know ahead of time.
  5. Food and drink are permitted as long as it does not distract from the class. This is a privilege and will be taken away if you do not clean up after yourself.
  6. Cheating and/or plagiarism are not tolerated and are treated additionally with a discipline referral and failure of the assignment. Please carefully review the attached policy.
  7. Grade updates: Grades are updated on Synergy regularly.
  8. Keep all handouts and notes until the last day of class. You may need them later. If you lose one, you are responsible for getting a copy. (There is a cumulative final exam.)
  9. Classroom behavior should demonstrate maturity, responsibility, and respect of everyone.
  10. This is a course based on learning and mastering the states standards, not grades. If you do the work, and work to learn, your grades will reflect your mastery of the standards.
  11. **Important cell phone policyfor school year: “Students shall not use, display or turn on cell phones, video phones, or other electronic devices during instruction time except when used for instructional purposes by the teacher. The consequences for inappropriate cell phone use are: 1st offense: Saturday School/ 2nd offense: 1 day ISS/ 3rd offense: 2 days of ISS

Required Supplies for Class on a Daily Basis

  1. Textbook – World Masterpieces
  2. Parallel reading books, as needed
  3. Vocabulary book (level E) - $12*
  4. Notebook paper (loose leaf)
  5. A three-ring binder with 4dividers**
  6. Composition notebook
  7. Blue/black pens, pencils,highlighters, markers, colored pencils
  8. Note cards (3x5 and/or 5x7) – lined

* $10 for membean.com login (vocabulary)

Grading

Standards Based Grading: All assignments will be given points commensurate with their relative importance in the category which reflects the Georgia Performance Standard addressed.We no longer use categories of “daily” or “major” grades. The grading policy is as follows:

Reading Literature/Informational texts (35%)

Language 10%

Writing/Conventions (30%)

Speaking and Listening (10%)

Final Exam (Cumulative Exam) (15%)

SLO/SGM – Pre and Post Test (major test grade in synergy)

(A= 90-100%; B=80-89%; C=74-79%; D=70-73%; F= 69% or below)

Tardy Policy

Being prompt is a skill that must be groomed and should be exercised daily. It shows respect for both the individual and those with whom you associate. The NEW, strictly enforced school tardy policy is as follows: No students admitted after the bell without a tardy slip, stamped with time. The first tardy = warning, but upon the second tardy (and this is cumulative, not to EACH class separately) students will serve a half hour detention, followed by two for the third, and more severe consequences for further tardies.

Format for Written Work

All essays written out of class must be typed following

MLA manuscript form. All assignments must contain MLA heading in upper left corner.

(See separate handout on MLA format)

Classroom Rules:
  1. Bring all necessary materials to class (pen, paper, notebook, handouts, etc.)
  2. Come to class on time, prepared to learn
  3. Respect the people and furnishings of the classroom – listen when others speak
  4. Adjust your voice to suit the activity.
  5. Follow directions the first time they are given
  6. Observe all school and classroom rules
/ Consequences:
  1. Verbal warning
  2. Phone call/email to parents
  3. Detention
  4. Referral (and zero on any assignment where cheating, plagiarism, etc. is involved). (Some offenses may be severe enough that an automatic detention or direct referral is made.)

Plagiarism and Cheating

Please review the following information carefully. You will sign that you have read and understand its meaning. Please ASK me for guidance at any time (before turning in an assignment). WHEN IN DOUBT, CITE!!!

All assignments, including vocabulary, unless specifically noted differently in writing, are INDIVIDUAL assignments, where any collaboration with peers will be considered cheating. Those who provide the work as well as those who copy the work are considered to be cheating. Plagiarism is the act of using another person’s ideas and expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source. Repeating another’s words, phrases or sentences without quotation marks and proper citation (even for ONE sentence) is plagiarism. Consequences for plagiarism include receiving an F (0 points) on the assignment and a disciplinary referral to the administrators for disciplinary action. This will automatically cost you the ability to exempt this final exam. According to the Cobb County Code of Student Conduct, plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, tests, quizzes, reports, homework, term paper and thesis writing.

Mr. Kirkley’s English Class *

Student Name:______Period:______

I have received, read and understand the World Literature course syllabus including the information on cheating and plagiarism and understand that I will read approved Cobb County parallel selections. Please sign below to indicate that you have read a copy of the course syllabus and that you understand the policies, and agree to the requirements and the Cobb County approved reading selections. (If you have any objections regarding parallel readings, please indicate in writing what your objections are and include a daytime phone number.) Return this signed portion to your teacher.

  • Bring $10 for vocabulary sign up asap.
  • Dan Brown’s Inferno.
  • Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream graphic novel
  • Elie Wiesel’s Night
  • William Golding’s Lord of the Flies

Student Signature

Parent Signature

Parent Email

Convenient Parent Phone #

Please take a moment to email me at

Goal for Student Achievement in Students will demonstrate critical thinking skills through reading and writing in all content areas.

Goal for School Performance in The Harrison High School community will encourage and support students to enroll

in the most appropriate and challenging courses for each individual, which may include honors and AP courses as well as advanced study

in Fine Arts, Career Technology and Agricultural Education, and Physical Education.