Rhet 3 (H) Syllabus-Soares- Welcome to Rhet 3
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______