AP English Literature & Comp.Class Objectives and Requirements 2011-12/Dr. Draper
1. Course Description
The major purpose of this course develops students’ ability to read and use language with insight and precision on subjects that challenge thought. The course develops comprehension of literary forms and content through reading, discussion, and composition. Works of recognized literary merit provide a center for studies of theme, figurative language, literary conventions, and cultural values.
2. Course Objectives
Upon completing the course, then, students should be able to: read and respond critically to a variety of assigned and independently selected classic and contemporary literature representing diverse cultural experiences; comprehend, interpret, and evaluate literal and implied meaning in a variety of listening situations including lectures, presentations, and readings from literature and poetry; analyze works of literary merit, including the use literal and figurative language, characters, actions, and themes; write clearly - using the formal conventions of the English Language, including grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, sentence structure, diction, paragraphing, and figurative language - in a variety of writing styles suitable to particular situations; use the writing process independently - including prewriting, drafting, evaluating, revising, editing - to develop and express ideas; write clearly and logically, developing themes with specific details; compose direct and concise critical analyses of personal essays, narratives, expository and argumentative essays, adjusting diction and style to audience and purpose; demonstrate control and precision in organizing, revising, and expressing ideas in speech and writing; use supplemental sources to modify, develop and support personal conclusions; cite text to support a premise; understand different literary periods, beginning with Classical literature and concluding with a discussion of Post-Modern literature; understand different literary genres, such as poetry, the novel, the short story, and the play; demonstrate understanding of Modern Language Association Style Manual for citation of sources as well as all formatting procedures (i.e., pagination, margins, works cited, etc)
3. Texts:
Perrine’s Literature: Structure, Sound and Sense (9th edition)
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (in textbook)
Othello by Shakespeare (in textbook)
The Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
The Stranger by Albert Camus
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (in textbook)
Fences by August Wilson (in textbook)
The Things They Carry by Tim O’Brien
Others TBA
4. Grades
Grades are on a point system. The points are calculated at the 10 and 20 week grading periods. Your grade is determined by the points possible for all assignments during the grading period. 100-90% of points possible is an A; 89-80% is a B; 79-70% is a C. If you would like to receive an A, you must turn in all assignments. If you receive all A’s on your esssays, for example, but do not turn in other assignments, you receive 0’s, and will not have enough points for an A. Students should keep all returned work, and keep track of their own point total/grade average. Participation is factored in for the final grade. A rubric will be distributed explaining the differences between an “A” level paper and a “B,” and so on.
5. Essays
The minimum page requirement on any out of class essay is three full pages, with one inch margins on all sides, double spaced evenly throughout. If you do not meet these minimum requirements, you will not receive higher than a C/C-. The essay must have an original title, there must be a clear thesis, logical organization, specific examples, strong analysis, and a conclusion of some kind. A rubric will be distributed explaining in more detail the distinctions between A level and B level, etc. Essays are given the most weight in terms of grades; the essay should reflect your knowledge of the text and your ability to write well. The class discussions are a starting point for your essay; I expect that your essay will add original insights not discussed in class. Also, you must write on the topic assigned - see plagiarism policy below. Finally, the essay is written as a process; you will bring drafts to class for editing. You will be graded on your drafts (for completion) and on your editing (drafts are turned in along with final essays). Essays must follow Modern Language Association Style Manual guidelines (see pages 23-31 in textbook). To receive the full benefit of peer editing, your draft should be complete, not a few paragraphs. All essays must be submitted to Turnitin.com; if the essay submitted is different (ie a different draft) you will receive a 0 on the assignment. (pages 3-58 in textbook include helpful suggestions for writing about literature as well as several model student essays)
6. Poetry Study/Group presentation
Every Monday will be given over to poetry study. The class syllabus lists the poems we will be discussing every Monday throughout the semester. To be prepared for the discussion, students will read the chapter, poems assigned and the questions after the poem in Perrine’s Literature. Every Monday, students will be assigned a chapter to read from the Perrine’s Literature. There will always be a short reading quiz to check reading comprehension. In a short presentation of 15-20 minutes max., a group of 4-5 will creatively highlight important terms, concepts, ideas, etc. from the chapter in Perrine’s Literature under discussion for the week, ie for chapter four “Imagery,” the group will explain the different elements that help define this literary technique. After the presentation, we will then discuss the assigned poetry in a Socratic seminar, or several small group discussions, or a large class discussion of the questions following the poems, which might be turned in as classwork at the end of the period . Reading quizzes are worth up to 5 points; participation is also factored in on a daily basis in either large group or small group discussions or in the Socratic seminar). The group presentation is worth 50 points. A more detailed handout will explain the rubric for the group presentation. The AP literature test consists of both multiple choice questions on poetry, and at least one essay on a poem. Therefore, it is crucial that students work outside of class on reading/analyzing/understanding poetry. Finally, we study English and American poetry chronologically, beginning with Shakespearean sonnets, moving onto the English Romantic poets, and continuing next semester with Modern poetry.
7. In-class timed writing: quizzes and tests
There will be in-class essay tests, practice AP tests, multiple choice tests, and reading quizzes throughout the semester. A close reading quiz will contain passages from the text that you must put into context and then analyze, or may consist of reading comprehension questions. In-class essay tests are modeled after AP tests, and either consist of a long passage that must be analyzed in the form of an essay, or an “open” question on the text that is answered in the form of an essay. The practice AP tests are graded, and help to give students a sense of how they might perform on the actual AP test. The in-class timed writings are a more informal method of demonstrating skill in analyzing literature.
8. Vocabulary Study
Vocabulary tests will be given, and are composed of literary terms commonly seen on AP English Lit. exams. Students are encouraged to keep running lists and make study cards since a large vocabularly invariably improves writing, as well as increases chances of a higher AP score.
9. Plagiarism policy
Any idea that you pass off as your own, that is not considered “common knowledge,” is considered plagiarism. See me if you have any question about what constitutes “common knowledge.” Plagiarism has increased in the past few years; I have caught several students plagiarizing ideas found on the internet. If you are caught, you will receive a Fail on the assignment, your counselor and parents notified, and put on contract. Any assignment that receives more than 20% “plagiarism” (taking into account quotations, etc) score from turnitin.com will receive a “0.”
10. Student Responsibilities
-Students are expected to attend all classes. Chronic absences/tardies will affect grade.
-Students may not be excused from class to work on other school projects, or to make up tests in other classes.
-Students must participate in class discussions, Socratic seminars, group discussions; students will be given a grade (points) for daily class participation.
-students may not be excused from class to go to the college center. A student has one opportunity to visit the college center for a presentation each semester. Do not ask if you can go to more than one presentation; if you go more than once, this will count as an unexcused absence and you will be unable to make up missed assigments.
-No late work. Your grade drops each day assignment is late. If class does not meet when you return, you must turn in work immediately. For example, if per. 2 assignment is due Thurs., and you are absent, you must turn in the day you return, even if per. 2 does not meet.
-No extra credit work given; you must complete all work assigned.
-Your score on the AP exam does not affect grade in class.
-A respectful, tolerant attitude is required at all times. Even if you disagree with someone else’s views, respond in an appropriate, respectful way.
-Negative behavior and a disrespectful attitude will adversely affect your grade in this class. The following disciplinary steps will be taken: 1. student-teacher conference 2. counseling 3. parent-teacher conference 4. permanent removal from class with a drop/fail grade.
11. Teacher Recommendations
If you would like me to write you a recommendation for college or a summer program, you need to give me 2-4 weeks notice. You must furnish me with a brag sheet, your personal statement/college essay and a stamped envelope to mail the recommendation OR for Common Application online, envelopes and forms are no longer required and the rec. is submitted electronically (my preference).
12. Teacher Hours
I work part-time, and teach periods 1,2,3. This year I am in room 229 during these periods. If you need to ask a question, please email me at . If you need extra help, I can meet with you during lunch or period 4.
13. Independent Reading
Students must read independently throughout the year. You must put together an independent reading list of three texts (preferably non-fiction but can be fiction) that are challenging and of “literary merit” at the beginning of each semester. You will not get credit if the reading list is not turned in (they must be approved); also the books on the list must match the books you report on. You will read three texts a semester. Approximately every six weeks, you will creatively respond to the text; some days this may take the form of an oral discussion with a small group who will evaluate your “reading project.” A more detailed prompt with rubric will be distributed outlining the assignment along with a list of AP English Literature “recommended authors.” The IRP is worth 25 points.