Syllabus 05-06
Quick-Guide
Your experience in American
Literature Honors this year will depend on what you wish it to be.� It will be either positive or negative based
upon which attitude you walk in with.� Success
will not be achieved if it is not actively sought � you have to earn it.
I.
Course Overview
This course is designed to follow the
three movements of American thought in literature through analysis of
autobiography, short story, poetry, and the novel format.� Rather than a strictly chronological
approach, a thematic-based schedule will allow for higher order thought and
allow students to develop an understanding of why works were written and what
they mean in the greater scope of American Literature.
II.
Rationale/Philosophy
In order to engage in college-level academic expectations, it is
necessary to prepare the student to deal with higher order of thinking,
reading, and writing. Being Americans it
is also a must that the student be acquainted with the history of American
thought and philosophy as recorded in our literature to facilitate modern
remedies to age-old problems.
1. Literature:
Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes.
Prentice Hall, 2000
2. The Scott, Foresman Handbook
for Writers.
5th edition, Longman, 1999
1. Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
2. A Raisin in the Sun by
3. Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
A. Thematic-Based Overview of American Literature: Our analysis of literary
works will be based on the three movements of American Literature rather than
approach the canon chronologically. We
will look at historical events as they pertain to each work and as pertains to
shifts in thought and philosophy of American writers.
B. American Poetry: Poetry will be read throughout the year and will coincide with other
works which the class will be reading at the time and thus also reflect upon
the theme of the movement/period.
Students will analyze the poem through scansion as well as
interpretation of literary devices.
C. Literary Analysis Research Paper: Students will write a research paper based
around an extrinsic analysis of three works by one author of the student’s
(approved) choice. Reliable, credible
secondary sources are required and usage of the Internet will be strictly
limited.
D. A Novel Idea: We will read and discuss Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain and Cannery
Row by John Steinbeck. We will also
look at A Raisin in the Sun by
Lorraine Hansberry, a drama masquerading as a novel. A written assignment will follow each
reading.
E. PSSA/SAT Preparation: Preparation
for these standardized tests will be integrated throughout the year and
explicit instruction will be given as test dates approach.
F. Accelerated Reader Program: Students
must earn at least 20 points per grading period. Any book to be read must first be approved by
the teacher and a reading log (with a specific topic focus per nine weeks) must
be completed prior to taking a test on the book.
Benchmarks
are culminating activities, or performance-based assessments, which are rooted
in the Pennsylvania Department of Education Reading, Writing, Speaking, and
Listening Standards.
The
goal for each benchmark is for the student to complete it at or above 75%
accuracy. Students will have an opportunity
to revise the benchmark if this level of proficiency is not achieved.
2. Poetry analysis and presentation (1.3, 1.6)
VI.
Assessments
Assessment
will vary in form from pop-quizzes to essays and exams. The point value
of each will be determined by length of the assignment and the amount of information covered. Students will also maintain a writing journal
which will be checked every grading
period.
VII.
Grading Policy
Grades will be
calculated by dividing the total points earned by the student by the total
number of points of all assignments for the nine weeks.
VIII. Behavior Expectations
1.
Respect: Respect is a two way street; it must be given
if it is to be received. Accordingly, I
ask that students behave in an appropriate manner towards not only myself, but
each other. It may sound rather trite,
but treat others the way you would like to be treated yourself. If someone is speaking and you wish to add
something or even to raise a counterpoint, wait quietly for him or her to
finish speaking and raise your hand.
Inappropriate language or behavior will not be tolerated.
2. Punctuality: I expect students to be on time and prepared for class. Contrary
to
general thought, class time is actually very brief – lessons will not pause for
a missing book/pencil/paper/etc.
3. Plagiarism Policy: Any student caught plagiarizing, from another
student, the
Internet,
or any other source, will automatically receive a zero for that
assignment. Students who are found
guilty of plagiarism will jeopardize their opportunity to be inducted in or
participate in honors organizations such as National Honor Society.
4.
Participation: Everyone has something to contribute -- the
only difficulty is
allowing yourself to do so. There are no stupid questions or answers. In the analysis of literature, it is often a
misinterpretation that allows for greater understanding of a work. Don’t
be shy!
IX.
Absence and Make-Up Work
Students
are completely responsible for any information and assignments given during
absence – the best idea is to see me before school on the day of return. If a test or quiz is missed, it must be
completed on the day the student returns before school, during study hall, or
after school – not during class. My door
is always open and students should always feel free to contact me with any
questions or concerns that arise.