Syllabus for Rhetoric III (Fall Semester)

Mr. Soares

Room 136

Office Phone: 815-844-6113 ext. 294

Business email:

Office Hours: 7:45-7:55, 3:10-3:30, or by appointment

Texts: ELEMENTS OF LITERATURE: SIXTH COURSE. Holt, Rinehart and

Winston, 2007.

ELEMENTS OF WRITING. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1998 (classroom set).

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy

1984 by George Orwell

Overview:

Rhetoric III is a junior-level honors language arts course that integrates the study of literature with practice in English grammar and composition. Students will participate in a variety of language intensive activities including reading, writing, speaking, listening, and researching. The course will largely follow the history of British literature in a chronological sequence, beginning with the Anglo-Saxons and winding up with the Modern Age (ending about 1950). Most of the writing done in the course will be about literature and/or topics of interest related to the various texts. During this semester we will be using Moodle and Weebly for electronic journaling, so students need to have their netbooks charged and ready for use each day.

During the 2013-2014 year, I will have the distinct pleasure of continuing our teacher(s)/students multi-disciplinary collaboration with Operation Endangered Species. We hope to publish our documents from last year and visit some of the schools hosting our turtles.

Materials Needed: Your netbook (make sure this is charged for classroom use daily.

Textbook or novel as required, notebook, pocket folder, writing

utensil.

My Expectations

1. Be prepared for class.

2. Complete all homework assignments, particularly readings and writing projects.

3. Be prepared to participate in class, particularly in circle discussions.

4. All essays and projects must be submitted on due date. No exceptions.

5. Respect each other and the ideas of others.

6. Feel free to disagree, but have support for your thoughts.

7. You will learn from me and teach each other. I will also learn from you.

This course will require that you remain committed to maintaining a high level of responsibility to the texts encountered. In each unit you will be expected to read large volumes of text and be prepared to confidently discuss it in class. In addition, you will be routinely assigned writing projects designed to explore and further your understanding of each period. Furthermore, each week you will be required to study vocabulary terms in order to enrich your writing in preparation for the AP exam during your senior year. The followingoutline will give you a general understanding of the format of the course:

Fall Semester

Unit 1: Anglo-Saxon Literature

Includes Grendel, Beowulf, essay, oral presentation

Unit 2: Medieval Literature

Includes The Canterbury Tales, Arthurian legend, web project, essay

Unit 3: Renaissance Literature

Includes MacBeth, Paradise Lost, imagery essay, film project

Unit 4: Literature of the Restoration and 18th century

A Modest Proposal, expansion of English prose, satire essay

Unit 5: Romantic Literature

Frankenstein, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, Romantic poets, essay

Spring Semester

Unit 6: Return of the Native

Literary criticism, essay, exam, short writing assignments

Unit 7: Victorian Literature

Victorian poets, internet project, group presentations, essay

Unit 8: A Doll's House

Literary criticism, essay, exam, short writing assignments

Unit 9: Modernism

Literary criticism, exam, short writing assignments

Unit 10: 1984

Research Theme/Oral Presentation

I like to think of this course as "college format," so it will be up to you to maintain an appropriate level of maturity. Please review this syllabus and make sure you are prepared for the rigors of the year. Please approach me with any questions.

The final exam grade counts 1/5 of the total grade. Percentages are used for the tabulation of grades.

All major essays and projects must be turned in on the due date. Review student handbook guidelines. All other late work not completed by the due date will

receive a 25% deduction. Late work not received within two calendar weeks of

the original due date will be marked “No Credit.” No late work of any kind will be

accepted two weeks prior to the end of the grading period. I do follow all rules for absences, truancies, etc., so please read your handbook. Do NOT ask permission to leave the room unless it is an emergency.

This sheet should be signed by your parent/guardian and returned by Friday August 23.

Turning in this syllabus, signed, is worth 10 points. A zero will be assigned if not turned in.

I have read the English II syllabus and am aware of the requirements and expectations for my son/daughter in this course.

Student’s name ______

Student’s signature ______

Parent’s/Guardian’s signature______