Course Descriptions For World/ British Literature and English IV- Honors/ AP/ IB

Course Description:  World Literature/ British Literature

Mr. Platt

Course Content

Course Description

English IV- World Literature/ British Literature is considered an advanced, college preparatory two-semester program.  Although technically the first semester's focus is on world literature and the second is on British literature, we will not strictly acknowledge the distinction; we will study some British literature the first semester and some world literature the second. 

Assignments will include formal and informal writing, a research unit, a semester-long independent reading project, 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 western and non-western classic and contemporary literature. 

We will continue to build upon your strong foundation in English, further expanding your critical thinking, critical reading, and analytical writing skills as well as to improve your command of the English language, both written and spoken.  World/ British Literature  is a discussion-based class in which we will make meaning and discover ideas in the literature together, not only discovering what we think about literature and its connections to the world around us, but learning to articulate these ideas orally and in writing. 

The English program at Troy is heavily based on formal writing skills, and this class is no exception.  Students are expected to enter the class with the skills requisite for the fall semester of an advanced English class.  Students who lack confidence or proficiency in writing will be required to ask for assistance and work hard to improve.

Because we must move fairly quickly through a challenging curriculum, a class web site at www.bookteacher.org is maintained to provide you with information about our class calendar and activities, supplemental materials to assist you with your understanding of the curriculum, and the assignments for each unit.  In most cases, you will be informed of the assignments and due dates for a given unit of study when we begin that unit.  It is therefore very important that you pay attention to the class calendar and plan your study time accordingly.  In addition, a total number of points possible for each unit is approximated here to assist students in strategizing their academic efforts this semester.

Course Expectations 

• When a due date is assigned, it is to be considered the last day to turn that assignment in.  Assignments that are one day late will be accepted at 50% credit.  Assignments that are more than one day late will not be accepted.  Please note that assignment due dates are usually provided at the beginning of a unit, so there is plenty of time to work on an assignment and account for emergencies such as technical difficulties.  Such situations are problematic only when the student procrastinates, and they will therefore not be considered excuses for a late assignment.

• Students are encouraged to e-mail in most writing assignments as e-mail attachments.  Instructions for doing so are provided in the directions for these assignments.

• We move rather quickly through the curriculum in this class, and there is no time for remediation.  Therefore, absences are to be rare or it will affect your grade.

• 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 your 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.

• 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. 

   

  Students are expected to note the following:

  • Grades are rounded up to the nearest .5%.  For example, 89.5% - 100% constitutes an "A".  A grade of 79.5% is considered a B-.  Please note that this policy policy is firm:  An 89.4% is a B+.

  • 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.

• Lastly, it is always one’s right to learn and teach.  Be respectful, come prepared, and participate.

Grading:

Each assignment will be worth points based on its complexity. 

For the overall class grade, the following scale will be used: 

                                                                89.5% - 100%  = A

                                                                79.5% - 89.4% = B

                                                                69.5% - 79.4% = C

                                                                59.5% - 69.4% = D

                                                                  0 - 59.4%        = F

The final grade in this class will be calculated based upon a total number of points possible for the term.  Assignment grades are not weighted..

Assignments (and making them up)

You may make up assignments for full credit only if you have an excused absence.  You will have the same number of days to make up the assignment as you were absent.  Under no other circumstances will late assignments be accepted for full credit.

Make-up quizzes and  tests will be given at lunch on Fridays.  Tests and quizzes may only be made up on those days.  PLEASE NOTE:  READING CHECK QUIZZES  WILL BE PERIODICALLY GIVEN DURING THE COURSE OF A UNIT OF LITERATURE.  THESE QUIZZES CANNOT BE MADE UP WHEN THEY ARE MISSED.  A STUDENT WHO HAS GENERALLY STRONG ATTENDANCE, HOWEVER, WILL NOT SEE A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN THEIR GRADE BASED ONLY ON A FEW MISSED READING CHECK QUIZZES. 

It is the responsibility of the student to find out about and make up assignments missed during absence.  This can be accomplished most effectively by visiting the class web site at www.bookteacher.org.

On-going / Daily Requirements

Note taking is required.  Students are expected to take and keep notes. 

Every student is expected to keep track of deadlines and important dates, especially considering due dates are always available on the class website.

Participation in class discussions and group work is important.  Students are expected to come to class prepared every day and to share their perceptions when appropriate.

Students are expected to read a novel in addition to those we will study together in class.  A list of appropriate works will be provided.  For each of these “outside reading” works, each student must complete a project which demonstrates understanding of the work.  A description of the Outside Reading Project choices will also be provided in class.

Class Rules:

1.         Cell phones are to be turned off before class begins and remain off throughout the class period.  Text messaging in class is strictly prohibited and will result in the confiscation of cell phones.

2.         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.

3.         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.

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

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

6.         Homework assignments are due at the beginning of each class.  Ass assignments that are submitted via e-mail must be received by the beginning of class.  IF AN ASSIGNMENT IS NOT TURNED IN AT THE BEGINNING OF CLASS, IT IS LATE.  Please see above for policy regarding late assignments.

7.          Please do 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.

8.         Please take pride in your work.  Remember that every assignment should be representative of your ability.  Do not expect full credit for work that does not meet assignment requirements or is hastily or sloppily completed.

Class “Due Process”:

1.             You will be given a verbal warning.

2.             You will be asked to step outside of the room until you feel ready to participate in the class by using expected classroom behavior. 

3.             You will be given a detention.

4.             Your parent or guardian will be called.

5.             You will see an administrator.

English III-Honors/ AP/ IB

Mr. Platt

Course Description

AP- English III Honors-IB is an accelerated two-semester program in which we will study various genres of World Literature and prepare for the Advanced Placement Examination in English Language and Composition.  As part of Troy’s prestigious International Baccalaureate Program, this class challenges students to maintain a rigorous pace of reading, studying, research and writing.  Core reading selections have been taken from an International Baccalaureate-prescribed book and author list.  Other readings such as essays, short stories, and poems have been selected to supplement your understanding of the core works through thematic, stylistic, or structural connections.  We will continue to build upon your strong foundation in English, further expanding your critical thinking, critical reading, and analytical writing skills as well as to improve your command of the English language, both written and spoken.  English III- Honors/ AP/ IB is a discussion-based class in which we will make meaning and discover ideas in the literature together, not only discovering what we think about literature and its connections to the world around us, but learning to articulate these ideas orally and in writing.  Some assignments will call for outside research in a college or university library, and  we will review proper MLA format for research-based writing.  In addition, you will continue to maintain a writing portfolio that will reflect your growth and progress over the two semesters.

At the end of the Spring semester, you will take the Advanced Placement Examination in English Language and Composition.  Therefore, in addition to the IB-prescribed content, we will review materials to prepare you for this examination. 

Because we move very quickly through a challenging curriculum, a class web site at www.bookteacher.org is maintained to provide you with information about our class calendar and activities, supplemental materials to assist you with your understanding of the curriculum, and the assignments for each unit.  In most cases, you will be informed of the assignments and due dates for a given unit of study when we begin that unit.  It is therefore very important that you pay attention to the class calendar and plan your study time accordingly.

Course Expectations

• Students are expected to maintain an A or B grade in this course.  If attitudes or abilities do not indicate success in the honors program, students may be encouraged to move to another level.  Be forewarned that Honors/ IB is an accelerated series of courses, a serious time commitment, and one that progresses in speed and difficulty from year to year.  It is, moreover, Troy High School policy that a student earning a grade of B- or lower at the semester might be asked to take a class other than English IV Honors/ IB.  In this class, a semester grade lower than an 83.5% is considered a B-.

• As an Honors student, it will never be acceptable to fail to turn in an assignment. 

•  LATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.  When a due date is assigned, it is to be considered the last day to turn that assignment in. 

• We move rather quickly through the curriculum in this class, and there is no time for remediation.  Therefore, absences are to be rare or it will affect your grade.

• 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 your 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.

• 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. 

   

  Students are expected to note the following:

  • Grades are rounded up to the nearest .5%.  For example, 89.5% - 100% constitutes an "A".  A grade of 79.5% is considered a B-.  Please note that this policy policy is firm:  An 89.4% is a B+.

  • 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.

• Lastly, it is always one’s right to learn and teach.  Be respectful, come prepared, and participate.

Grading:

Each assignment will be worth points based on its complexity. 

For the overall class grade, the following scale will be used: 

                                                                89.5% - 100%  = A

                                                                79.5% - 89.4% = B

                                                                69.5% - 79.4% = C

                                                                59.5% - 69.4% = D

                                                                  0 - 59.4%        = F

The final grade in this class will be calculated based upon a total number of points possible for the term.  Assignment grades are not weighted.

Assignments (and making them up)

You may make up assignments only if you have an excused absence.  You will have the same number of days to make up the assignment as you were absent.  Under no other circumstances will late assignments be accepted. 

It is the responsibility of the student to find out about and make up assignments missed during absence.  This can be accomplished most effectively by visiting the class web site at www.bookteacher.org.

A Note to Students and Parents:

This is an accelerated course of study.  Students who need extra support in reading and/or writing should explore other classes that can facilitate this need.  Importantly, students who do not enjoy reading or at least appreciate the challenge of reading at an accelerated pace should reconsider their placement immediately.  Due to the nature of this curriculum, it will be impossible to cover individual remedial issues.

Dear student and parent/ guardian:

Please read the attached course description carefully.  It provides a detailed overview of the requirements, both academic and behavioral, for this class.  The requirements have been designed to help all students succeed to the very best of their abilities and to develop organization skills, good work habits, and language skills that will assure success beyond high school.

Once you have read and discussed these requirements, please indicate your understanding of them by signing below.