Course Syllabus for AP Language and Composition

Fullerton Joint Union High School District

Course Syllabus

Troy High School

Grading Guidelines and Shared Responsibilities,

Attendance and Behavior Expectations,

And Essential Curriculum Standards of the Course

Year:  2008-2009

AP Language and Composition

Mr. Platt

714-626-4003

gplatt@fjuhsd.net

In order to facilitate effective partnerships with parents/ guardians to support student learning and success in school, teachers will make every effort to return telephone call messages and emails within 24 hours of receipt, unless the call or email is sent over a weekend, holiday, vacation period, or teacher absence.

Course Description

AP Language and Composition is both an AP and an International Baccalaureate course.  Students will prepare for the AP language and Composition exam, which will be administered in May, and, at the same time, they will be complete two of the four required components for the International Baccalaureate program in English.  It is assumed that all students enrolled in the class will take the AP Language and Composition exam and are pursuing either a full IB diploma or a certificate in English.  All students who are enrolled in the class will complete the work that is preparatory for the AP exam and IB program in English.

Assignments will include formal and informal writing, research, tests and quizzes, creative assignments, and participation/ citizenship/ effort (attendance, participation in class discussion, attitude and classroom behavior). 

The reading list will include selections representing all literary genres (fiction, nonfiction, drama and poetry).  Readings have been selected to provide students with a solid foundation in philosophy, criticism, and the cannon of iterature. 

We will continue to build upon the student's strong foundation in English, further expanding their critical thinking, critical reading, and analytical writing skills as well as to improve their command of the English language, both written and spoken.  AP language and Composition  is a discussion-based class in which students will make meaning and discover ideas in the literature together, not only discovering what they think about literature and its connections to the world around them, but learning to articulate these ideas orally and in writing. 

The International Baccalaureate program in English is primarily based on formal writing skills.  Students are expected to enter the class with the skills requisite for the fall semester of an AP/ IB class.  Because this course moves very quickly, there is little time to remediate work that is not at the honors level.  In some cases, a course change may be suggested to students who are not prepared for the rigorous requirements of this class.

A class web site at www.bookteacher.org is maintained to provide students and parents with information about our class calendar and activities, supplemental materials to assist students with their understanding of the curriculum, and the assignments for each unit.  In most cases, students will be informed of the assignments and due dates for a given unit of study at the beginning of that unit.  It is therefore very important that students pay attention to the class calendar and plan study time accordingly. 

Grading Guidelines and Shared Responsibilities

In 1990, The Fullerton Joint Union High School District (District) adopted Student Grading guidelines so that the practices used within the District will have sufficient common criteria and purpose to provide grades accurately representing student performance.  The success of a student grading plan is dependent upon the cooperation, interest, and assumption of responsibilities by teachers, parents/guardians, and students.

The teacher's responsibility is to assign grades based upon fair and consistent standards and to communicate these practices to each student.  Grades are to be determined by student performance on teacher-initiated assignments, tests, homework projects, and class participation.  Students will be informed of progress periodically.  Three types of grades are earned:

• Grades that reflect cumulative academic progress.

• Citizenship grades and comments that describe personal behavior of the student in class and which are reported separately from academic and work habits grades.

• Work habit grades that describe how a student organizes, conducts, and completes assignments, and which are reported separately from academic and citizenship grades.

The District Board of Trustees and staff members believe that students and parents/guardians should:

• Understand the course expectations and grading practices, asking questions if needed.

• Stay informed of progress.  Parents/ guardians can gain information by discussing progress with students regularly and by asking teachers.

• Understand how things are going at school.  Know why a student's grade is- or is not- up to family standards.  It is the parent's responsibility to communicate with the teacher if additional information or help is needed at home to improve a student's grades.

If a parent/ guardian or student disagrees with a grade received, a review may be initiated by contacting the teacher.  If the matter is not resolved, the parents or student may then contact the Principal/ designee for further assistance.

Specific grading guidelines for this course include the following:

• Class grades are not rounded.  Please refer to the following grade scale:

           90%-100%-        A

           80%-89.9%-       B

           70%-79.9%-       C

           60%-69.9%-       D

           0-59.9%-            F

        Please Note:  It is common for students to be concerned with their individual assignment grades, their final grades in the class, and their semester overall GPA.         

        However, grade "negotiations" at the time of grade postings are not acceptable.  Although errors in grade calculations will of course be corrected, a grade that is

        correctly calculated cannot be "adjusted," and requests for such will not be entertained.  The class grading policy is established to ensure fairness for all. 

        When assessing assignments and assigning them grades, the following grade definitions are considered.  Please note them.

• An "A" grade means the student's work in the class was truly "excellent."

• A "B" grade means the student's work in the class was "above the average" of the work produced by the students in the class as a whole.

• A "C" grade means the student's work in the class was "average" for the students and level of difficulty of lessons in the class.

• A "D" grade means the student's work in the class was "below average" for the students and level of difficulty of lessons in the class.

• An "F" grade means the student failed to meet the minimum requirements of the class or of the individual assignment.

• Late work is accepted for full credit only from students whose absence/ tardy is officially excused. A student whose absence is excused has the number of days they were absent to make up the assignment they missed (note:  This is true only for work that was assigned during the student's absence.  If the work was assigned in advance--and if the student was made aware of the due date before they were absent--the assignment is due on the original due date or when the student returns to class).  A student who is in class when an assignment is due but does not turn in the assignment may turn the assignment in the next day for half credit.  If the assignment is not turned in on the second day, it will not be accepted for credit.  Please note:  All assignments are uploaded to the class web site at www.bookteacher.org.  It is the student's responsibility to access the web site and determine for himself what class work must be made up.

• The course grade is calculated from the total number of points assigned throughout the term.  Different types of assignments are not weighed more heavily than other types of assignments, but some assignments have a greater point value than others.

• AP Language and Composition is an honors class.  It is therefore expected that the students enrolled have acquired certain academic skills in the honors program at Troy.  These skills include organization, study skills, positive attitude, a willingness to learn, a respect for classmates, a certain level of comfort with participation in class discussion, and a desire to do well on all assignments.  In short, students are expected to be prepared to work at the honors level.

Attendance and Behavior Expectations

Student academic success is tied directly to attendance.  If the student is to have the greatest opportunity to learn and be successful, excellent attendance is essential.  In addition, students are expected to remember the following class rules:

Cell phones are to be turned off before class begins and remain off throughout the class period.  Text messaging in class is strictly prohibited.

Students should use language that is appropriate to the classroom at all times. Works of literature may contain “mature” language.  We will address the author’s intentions in

using certain language choices. While “mature” language may exist in literature to serve artistic purposes, it is not to be used in our classroom discussions, either formal or

informal.

Do not speak while someone else is speaking.  If you observe this courtesy, you will also enjoy it when you have something to contribute to class discussion.

Do not impose on anyone else’s right to teach or to learn.

Do not bring the work for other classes to this class unless permission is specifically given. 

Homework assignments are due at the beginning of each class.  Please see above for policy regarding late assignments.

Students should not display an attitude of indifference and expect a high grade in this class.  Students who sleep, slouch, grumble, or are subtly or overtly disrespectful do so

to the detriment of their grade.

Students should take pride in their work.  Remember that every assignment should be representative of a student's ability.  Students should not expect full credit for work

that does not meet assignment requirements or is hastily or sloppily completed.

Participation/ citizenship/ effort is very important in this class.  It is, therefore, an assignment of significant point value that is assessed and averaged into a student's grade at the end of each unit of study.  To fail to participate, to sleep, or to otherwise demonstrate a less than serious attitude about the course curriculum or class activities will hinder a student's chances for success.  Conversely, strong participation and commitment can compensate for disappointing grades on individual assignments. 

In accordance with Troy’s school-wide policy, academic dishonesty--cheating and plagiarism-- involve attempts by a student to show possession of a level of knowledge or skills he or she does not possess.  Plagiarism may be intentional or unintentional; however, the consequences remain the same:  The student will receive an F on the assignment and possibly be removed from the class.  If assignments are copied, both parties are liable.

There is no extra credit in this class.  Students are expected to earn their grades through their work throughout the semester.

Essential Curriculum Standards

Essential Curriculum Standards have been adopted by the District for all core academic courses.  The Standards identify what students are expected to know and be able to do at the end of the course.  Grades take time to prepare, require careful thought, and can serve as the teacher's own test of effectiveness as well... Was the instruction understood?  Did the students learn the Essential Curriculum Standards?  Etc.

The Essential Curriculum Standards for this course are available on the class web site at www.bookteacher.org.