2014-2015 English 12 Honors Syllabus

English Teacher Social Studies Teacher

Chris Twombley Dino Annest

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206.236.5026 206.795.4048

Office Hours: 3rd, or by appt. Office Hours: 3rd, or by appt.

Welcome to English 12 Honors. In this year-long survey of modern and contemporary world literature, you will read novels, short stories, poems, and essays; and view films selected to both complement the AP Comp Gov curriculum and expose you to some of the greatest world writers and thinkers of the last two centuries.

Goals:

·  Analyze and express ideas through reading, writing, and discussion.

·  Evaluate, comprehend, and synthesize appropriate primary and secondary sources.

·  Recognize the broader historical framework of literary texts.

·  Improve writing skills including drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading of essays.

·  Practice MLA style for writing, formatting, and citations.

Classroom and Grading Policies

Note: Please consult the MIHS Student Handbook for detailed descriptions of school rules and consequences of inappropriate behavior and academic dishonesty.

--Attendance: It is crucial to be in class and on time daily. In the event of an absence, the student is responsible for making up missed work.

--Late Work: Work must be turned in at the beginning of class the day it is due to get full credit. If you are going to be absent the day something is due you may (1) have someone else bring it to class for you, (2) turn it in early, or (3) make arrangements with me in advance to turn it in when you return (4) send it to me as an e-mail attachment before the class it is due. The penalty for work turned in late without prior arrangements is a deduction of 10% of the possible points for each class the work is late, up to 50%.

--Rewrites: Must be revised within one week of return date. Original must be submitted with revised copy.

--Test Make-up: Must be completed within a week of original test date.

--Extra Credit: There is none.

--Breaks: During long blocks, the instructor will schedule short breaks at his discretion.

Assessments/Grade Weights: Twombley

·  Writing Assessment: 65%

·  Daily Work: Homework, tests, reading quizzes, reading journals & reflections: 15%

·  Writing Skills: Grammar, Rhetoric, and Vocabulary: 10%

·  Participation: 10%

Note: Mr. Annest grades by total points, not by weights.

Written Assessment & Projects: Writing is the essence of the work you do in this class. Plan to analyze the works we read and write clear essays. Proper MLA citation and format will be taught and is required. Generally speaking, your essay’s format, organization, and appearance (that is, correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar) are as important to your essay as is the essay’s thesis, analysis, and support. We will constantly practice all steps of the writing process.

Homework: You should plan on approximately an hour every night and more when essay or project due dates are on the horizon. Reading assignments will include roughly 20 pages per night.

Journals: Journal assignments will occasionally be checked and collected. If absent, assume you missed work. It is your responsibility to check with your classmates, the weekly assignment schedule, or our class website for assignments. Your journal will be a place to reflect and respond to a topic or question. Your entry must be dated and have a title. If you are absent, it is up to you to find out (from your classmates or our website) what you missed. Journals can be used on reading quizzes, will occasionally be checked, and will prove useful to generating polished reflections for grades.

Quizzes / Tests: Pop reading quizzes will be used to test our reading comprehension. You will also be tested extensively on grammar, rhetoric, MLA conventions, and vocabulary.

Participation: We will be doing a great deal of discussion in this class. You will be given points according the level and quality of your participation, and you will be docked points for coming to class unprepared or for being disruptive. You will not be able to earn an A in the course without regular participation.

Grading Scale

A = 100-93 / A- = 92-90
B+ = 89-87 / B = 86-83
B- = 82-80 / C+ =79-77
C = 76-73 / C- = 72-70
D+ = 69-67 / D = 66-60
F = Below 60

Units, Texts, and Course Readings:

Course Resources

Kesselman, M.--Introduction to Comparative Politics

Foer, Franklin--How Soccer Explains the World

Foster, Thomas--How to Read Literature Like a Professor

MLA Handbook

Europe

Frankl, Victor – Man's Search for Meaning

Doyle, Roddy – A Star Called Henry

Shakespeare, William – Hamlet

Tolstoy, Leo – Death of Ivan Ilyich

Selections from W. B. Yeats, Seamus Heaney, James Joyce, and Gerry Adams.

Asia

Chang, Jung – Wild Swans (Selections)

Li Bai--Selected Poetry

Selected poetry, short fiction, and essays.

Middle East

Satrapi, Marjane – Persepolis

Folman, Ari – Waltz with Bashir

Selected poetry, short fiction, and essays from region.

Africa

Abani, Chris--Graceland

Selected poetry, short fiction, and essays.

Latin America

Nobel Poets: Neruda, Paz, and Mistral

Selected poetry, short fiction, and essays.

2014-2015 English 12H Syllabus Acknowledgment

My signature below shows that I have read and understand the contents and expectations of the English 12 Honors syllabus. Sign and return this page only to Mr. Twombley by September 5, 2014. Please keep the course syllabus for reference throughout the year.

Student Name: ______

Student Signature: ______

Parent/Guardian Name(s): ______

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______

Film Viewing Permission Form

Student Name: ______has my permission to watch “R” rated films that have been chosen for viewing in English 12 Honors this year. I understand the MIHS policy that parent / guardian approval is required for the viewing of films that exceed a PG-13 rating.

Signed ______

(Parent or Guardian) (date)

Please contact me if you have questions about films that may be shown in this class. I may be reached at .