IB ENGLISH III: Language and Literature

HardingUniversity HS

GranVille L. Caldwell, Jr.Rooms A-211 (3rd Block), A-216 (4th Block)

Office Hours:Monday and Thursday, 2:30 – 3:30

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COURSE INFORMATION

Course Description

Students in IB English 3: Language and Literature start the course of study for English Al (Higher Level) and fulfill additional CMSgraduation requirements in the Junior year. Thus, the purpose of this course is to prepare students adequately for IB and CMS assessments through the development of critical thinking skills and the tools of literary analysis. Students are encouraged to analyze both how a text works and to what purpose it works within specific cultures. Such analyses demand a close and careful reading of each text and individual engagement with literature. IB English 3 is designed to be a college level course; as such, college level work and conduct will be expected consistently from all students. The following are some of the major assessments that MUST be completed during IB English 3:

  • Two Major Oral Activities
  • Two Major Essays
  • Outline/Rough Draft of Extended Essay

Course Materials

Due to the nature of this course, students in IB English 3: Language and Literature will have the vast majority of their reading and writing materials culled from electronic sources, including any assigned texts. Students will be given assignments and homework from a variety of websites, newspapers, magazines, and television. Other course assignments will be drawn from the following text book sources as well:

  • Patterns
  • 50 Essays
  • The Bedford Reader

Part 1: Language in Cultural Context

In this part of the course, roughly Semester One, students are given the opportunity to explore how language develops in specificcultural contexts, how it impacts on the world, and how language shapes both individual and group identity.Topics for stimulating approaches to the unit are listed below, each of which implies a range of vocabularyand writing styles with which students should become familiar.Students studying this part of the course should pay particular attention to the role of language in relationto the many areas involved in the construction of meaning and understanding of particular issues in theworld.The study of language in cultural context aims to enable students to meet the following learning outcomes.

• Analyze how audience and purpose affect the structure and content of texts.

• Analyze the impact of language changes.

• Demonstrate an awareness of how language and meaning are shaped by culture and context.

Part 2: Language and Mass Communication

In Part 2, essentially Semester 2, students consider the way language is used in the media. Mass media include newspapers,magazines, the internet (for example, social networking), mobile telephony, radio and film. This sectionalso addresses the issue of how the production and reception of texts is influenced by the medium throughwhich they are delivered.The study of language and mass communication means that students will be able to meet the followinglearning outcomes. While each of the learning outcomes must be covered, the examples provided are notprescriptive but are intended to provide guidance on the ways in which these learning outcomes can beincorporated into the teaching of Part 2.

• Examine different forms of communication within the media.

• Show an awareness of the potential for educational, political or ideological influence of the media.

• Show the way mass media use language and image to inform, persuade or entertain.

Homework

The average daily homework will be approximately an hour. Students will frequently be assigned long-term reading and/or writing projects that will require time management so that students are not overwhelmed at the last minute by deadlines. Routine homework assignments, both graded and ungraded, will constitute a significant portion of students' class participation grade. As homework assignments will often relate to the agenda for the following class period, all homework must be completed prior to the beginning of class.

Readings

Most assigned readings will be completed outside of class. It is recommended that students read texts multiple times or take careful notes on all readings to ensure adequate comprehension. Students are expected to finish these readings prior to the beginning of class. The teacher will employ various mechanisms to ensure the completion of these readings including regular quizzes over assigned material and required journaling and annotating of texts. Students can expect to read an entire work before it is discussed in class. They should also be prepared to juggle multiple texts simultaneously, i.e. read a work outside of class, while reading another work in class. Please note that Cliffs Notes and other plot summaries are not acceptable alternatives for completion of class readings. Quizzes will be designed to differentiate between those who have read the text carefully and those who have read a plot summary or have read only in a perfunctory manner.

Essays

Students can expect to write frequently. Engagement with the writing process is essential; thus multiple drafts will be required for major papers. Students can expect at least one major essay per quarter. In-class and out-of-class timed writings will prepare those IB students who wish to take the AP examination in the spring. Papers written outside of class must be typed in 12-point font, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins and double-spaced.

Late Work

The members of Harding’s English Department have adopted the following guidelines regarding late work: homework and other assignments are due as assigned in class. In accordance with CMS Policy, late assignments will be accepted by the instructor. However, also in accordance with the CMS policy, the instructor has the authority to penalize such late work. In this course you should expect to receive no more than 50% credit for papers or projects that are one to seven (1-7) days late. The instructor will have the option to grade the work—and, as always, mark off for errors, omissions, and incorrect or incomplete items—then assess the penalty. In all cases, no student will receive greater than 25% on any late assignment that is more than seven (7) days past due. Learning and appreciating deadlines and due dates is an essential characteristic of all successful IB English 3 students.

There will be no exceptions to this policy, so please plan carefully for “computer failures,” “printer problems,” “conflicting assignments,” “confusing A-day book bag with B-day book bag,” etc.

English Department’s “Failure is not an option” PolicyThe English Department believes that student mastery is an essential component in creating and maintaining high academic expectations. As such, any student who scores below a 77% (D) on a test has the option to retake the test with a “qualifier.” In all English classes, a student meets the qualifier requirement when he or she has spent a total of one (1) hour in a remediation/re-teaching session conducted by the teacher or his or team designee. While in this remediation/re-teaching session, students will adhere to established classroom rules and will be held accountable for the work that is undertaken in the session. Additionally, the student should complete this one (1) hour within five (5) school days following the return of the test.

Academic Honesty

All class work, unless otherwise announced, should be completed without outside or classmate assistance. To do otherwise constitutes cheating and will be treated as such. Similarly, plagiarism, or borrowing the words, facts, ideas, or opinions of someone else without specifically acknowledging the source, is a serious offense and will result in serious consequences. Students who cheat and/or plagiarize will be penalized in keeping with Harding's published policy for such offenses.

Grading Policies

The following scale will be used for assigning course grades:
93 – 100 A
85 – 92.9B
77 – 84.9C
70 – 76.9D
Below 70F / Class assignments will be weighted using the following percentages:
Essays, tests, presentations, major projects: 67%
Class participation, daily work, and attendance: 33%

A word about class participation

The following are all requisite parts of earning an adequate class participation grade:

  • Completing daily homework assignments prior to class meetings;
  • Contributing verbally to classroom discussions (at least 2 contributions per whole-class discussion);
  • Participating actively in group work and in-class assignments;
  • Attending ALL class meetings; and
  • Bringing necessary supplies to class meetings.

Some class work may not be collected for a grade, but rather used for purposes of instruction, practice, or discussion. Completion of these assignments is essential to mastering course objectives. Thus, completion of ungraded work will contribute heavily to a student's class participation grade.

Make Up Work

Students have five (5) days from the date they return to make up a test or a quiz. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule an appointment with the teacher to make up a test or a quiz

Attendance and Recovery Policy

Consistent with Harding University HS and CMS Policy, students will have the opportunity to complete recovery for absences during Office Hours. I will strictly adhere to the HardingUniversity attendance and tardy policies which are both explained to students the first day of class.

Required Materials

Pack of highlighter markers (must have at least 4 different colors)

2-inch binder with 3-5 tab dividers; loose leaf paper

Composition folder

Pens: blue or black only. Assignments written in other colors will not be accepted.

Pencils, for scantron exams

Required texts, as well as personal dictionary and thesaurus

Classroom Rules

  1. Respect your classmates, Mr. Caldwell, and yourself
  2. Follow directions the first time they are given.
  3. Be in your seat ready to work when the bell rings.
  4. No talking or movement around the classroom unless directed to do so by the teacher.
  5. No eating during class.

Procedures/Standards

  1. All assignments must have full heading on it in order to be graded.
  2. All assignments must be in qualitative state in order to be accepted. No folded, wrinkled, stain-covered, or otherwise mutilated assignment will be accepted. However, student shall have one day to rewrite and resubmit the assignment.
  3. Raise hand during dialogues.
  4. Raise hand to leave seat.
  5. BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS: Consistent with CMS policy; common sense.

Consequences, Negative

  1. Verbal warning
  2. Private consultation during/after class, loss of privilege
  3. Phone call home, possible seat time before/after school
  4. Referral to an administrator
  5. Conference with parents and administrator

Note: If disruption is sufficiently disruptive, student shall be removed from class, and any remaining class assignment will receive a 0.

Consequences, Positive

  1. Conspicuous verbal praise
  2. Effusive written acknowledgement
  3. Treat apropos for class room
  4. Positive phone call home
  5. Extra Credit

Contact Information

I am available for consultation/help during office hours. Students who make appointments will be given priority in scheduling; otherwise, I will help students on a first come-first serve basis. It is your responsibility to seek the necessary help well in advance of an assignment's due date. I will not accept the excuse for late work of "I tried to get help, but you weren't available."

Additional Resources

Students will receive internet resources via my website. The list of the resources is ever changing in order to provide the most current and effective means for academic success. These resources will aid students in augmenting challenge areas in their academic growth.