12th Grade Honors World Literature and Composition
Course Description
The course provides a survey of significant works of important authors from around the world including works written in several genres from the sixteenth century to contemporary times. The class will develop students’ ability to read carefully and closely and to use language precisely and persuasively to examine challenging and far-ranging ideas. Students will learn to write interpretations of literature based on thorough observation of textual details such as structure, style, tone, symbolism, figurative language, and imagery. In addition, students are asked to consider the social and historical values embodied in works of recognized literary merit.
Classroom Instruction
Lots of writing: formal papers with more than one draft, reading quizzes (expect a lot of these regarding the reading from the previous evening), reflections, responses, and writing for larger projects. Please come to class each day prepared to discuss – we need your ideas.
Homework will consist mostly of reading and some work on larger writing assignments and projects. We will work on grammar and vocabulary as a way to enhance reading and to amplify
Major Texts:
Including, but not limited to:
Short Story Section:
“The Grave” Katherine Anne Porter
“A Rose for Emily” William Faulkner
“Continuity of Parks” Julio Cortazar
“Miss Brill” Katherine Mansfield
“Hills Like White Elephants” Ernest Hemingway
“Soldier’s Home” Ernest Hemingway
“The Lady and the Pet Dog” Anton Chekhov
“How to Date a Browngirl, Blackgirl, Whitegirl, or Halfie” Junot Diaz
“The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” Gabriel Garcia Marquez
“Interpreter of Maladies” Jhumpa Lahiri
The Age of Reason:
Works by: Samuel Johnson James Boswell
Joseph Addison Samuel Pepys
Richard Steele Alexander Pope
Jonathan Swift Daniel Dafoe
Candide Voltaire
The Stranger Albert Camus
The Invisible Man Ralph Ellison
Hamlet William Shakespeare
The Song of Solomon Toni Morrison
The Canterbury Tales Chaucer
Hamlet William Shakespeare
A Streetcar Named Desire Tennessee Williams
A wide selection of poetry, including the English Romantics:
Samuel Coleridge, William Wordsworth, John Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley
Independent reading: List will be handed out in class.
Procedures and Policies
90% = A (89.9% is a B) 80% = B (79.9% is a C) 70% = C 60% = D, and below 60% is a fail.
Engrade codes will be handed out as soon as we have a true roster. Homework (readings) will be listed on the Cleveland website homework page for this class. If you are reading this, you know how to access it. If there is a discrepancy between what we decide in class and what is on the website, the classroom wins.
***A note about Make-up work:
If you are an athlete, a student leader, a knight or a lady, or some other V.I.P. and you miss work in class, the work must be made up within THREE SCHOOL DAYS of the
missed assignment. This applies to absences as well. You need to email me for an appointment. Your make-up time will be at lunch on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, or, preferably, before school. I am usually here by 6:45 a.m. No after school make-ups. If you know you have games, etc., find a friend in class because the website is not always reflective of what we decide in class, and sometimes it is down.
Late work: One day late = one full grade down
Two days late = no such thing
Absence is not an excuse for bringing work late. Find a way to get it in.
Cheating and plagiarism: If you cheat or plagiarize, you will receive an automatic 0 on the specific assignment, a possible lowering of your grade in the class, an automatic U in work habits, and a phone call home. In addition, other teachers in the English department will be informed of your nefarious behavior.
Other stuff:
*Please do not eat in class. Drink lots of water – but no other beverages unless we are having a little party.
*Keep your phones and ipods out of sight and turned off unless we are using them for a specific purpose.
*backpacks stay off your desk and off your lap
*Do not ask me about the bathroom.
Contact information: My email is OR you can email through the school website.
For phone messages, best to call the school at 818-885-2300 and leave a message. I will get back to you right away. Email is probably the most efficient. I check it a lot. Keep in touch.
Please sign below and print out a copy to turn in. (this page only)Have your parent/guardian sign as well.
I have read and understood the 12th Grade World Literature and Composition course syllabus.
______
Student signature Date
______
Parent signature Date
Contact information:
Parent: email: ______Phone:______
A good time to call is ______
Student email: ______(not necessary if same as turnitin.com)
Thank you!