English Syllabus

Transcription

1 English Syllabus Instructor: Ms. Downey Room: 106 Office Hours: By appointment downey@muhs.edu Description The central theme of English I is the exploration of our human nature, through both our virtues and our vices. Through literature and writing, we ll explore the human struggle to do what is just in a world that values self-promotion and preservation. We will address moral issues at length to encourage us to examine the connection between each individual and society. The class will focus on the reading and interpretation of literature from five major literary genres, as well as effective oral and written presentation skills. Class presentations and discussions will address the characteristics of the genre, literary terminology, interpretation of the texts, and application of the writing process. Vocabulary development, principles of grammar, and effective, logical argumentation will be stressed. Objectives In literature, the student will: 1. read and interpret various texts; 2. understand the characteristics of five major literary genres; 3. identify plot and setting; 4. identify and explain theme; 5. understand character traits and motivation; 6. explain how various literary devices create mood in writing; 7. explain how authors reveal human nature to audiences. In written work and in oral presentations, the student will: 1. enrich oral and written vocabulary; 2. demonstrate use of the writing process; 3. apply the principles of grammar effectively; 4. produce strong, concise thesis statements, which are appropriately supported. 5. express himself logically and persuasively; 6. begin to use proper MLA style; 7. use effective arguments; 8. develop basic public speaking skills. Books/Materials Dover Thrift Ed. How to Eat a Poem Dover Thrift Ed. Great American Short Stories Glencoe Lit., Gram. & Language Workbook Ernest Gaines A Lesson Before Dying John Knowles A Separate Peace Homer The Odyssey Erich Remarque All Quiet on the Western Front William Saroyan The Human Comedy William Shakespeare The Merchant of Venice Mary Shelley Frankenstein John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men Mark Twain The Adven. Of Tom Sawyer Notebook and loose-leaf paper Binder or folder Pen, pencil, highlighter Box of Kleenex

2 Class Rules 1. Respect the speaker. 2. Raise your hand if you have something to contribute. 3. Be on time, ready to work with all necessary materials. 4. Turn in work on time. NO EXCUSES. Late assignments will be marked down one full letter grade for each day late. (This is 8 points a day!) Nothing will be accepted after one week. 5. It is your responsibility, the day you return to school, to find out what work was missed when you were absent. 6. Two strike rule on tardiness. The first time, you ll receive a demerit; thereafter, you ll receive a jug. Grading Daily Assignments Includes reading, grammar and short written work. Always due the following class period. Approximately 15% of the final grade. Writing Assignments These will vary in length and you will usually have the option to select your own topic. For longer assignments, you will be given notice at least one week in advance. All writing assignments are to be saved in your MUHS file and at home if you have a computer. At least four papers will be assigned each semester. Do not delete or destroy anything you write. Save everything. Approximately 35% of the final grade. Quizzes Quizzes will be given regularly and may not be announced. They will cover the previous night s reading, but may cover anything discussed in class. Take good notes and look them over every night. Approximately 15% of the final grade. Tests and Exams Book tests, the quarter test and semester exam will address literature, vocabulary or grammatical points covered. Approximately 20% of the final grade. Participation Students are expected to participate in class daily, demonstrating mastery of topics covered. Approximately 15% of the final grade. Participation is not optional. Academic Honest Cheating will not be tolerated in this class. Any incident will result in a zero on the test or assignment and disciplinary action. Consult school policy on Ethics in Research and Communication in the Student Handbook. Use of on-line notes websites is strictly prohibited in this school building. Scale: A: B: C: D: F: Below 70

3 Units and Primary Works Studied Unit I. Being Human: First Quarter Conflict and sacrifice in friendship and family, the responsibility of individuals to mankind, and the greater good. Literary terminology, parts of speech and basic sentence structure; paragraph and essay structure; diction; homonyms; MLA style; MLA in-text citations; works cited pages; literary analysis; descriptive writing Texts: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer All Quiet on the Western Front Of Mice and Men Luck of Roaring Camp Projects: Mini Essay Five-paragraph essay (character analysis) Unit II. Virtues and Vices: Second Quarter Power, ego, ambition, and self-sacrifice as it relates to the greater good; humanity s tendency to self-destruct when it fails to recognize the dignity of everyone. Literary terminology, especially as it relates to poetry and drama; MLA in-text citations; subordination in sentence structure; transitions; syntax errors; poetic writing; persuasive writing; homonyms Texts: The Merchant of Venice Frankenstein Paul s Case The Tell-Tale Heart Projects: Poetry project Mini Essay Marquette Globe Theater Five-Paragraph Essay

4 Unit III. Developing Identity: Third Quarter Hubris, vengeance, justice and humility in the face of greater powers; the frailty of mankind in its quest to explore or conquer the world; the bildungsroman. Creative and expository writing; library research; literary terminology, especially as it relates to the epic; verbals; homonyms; punctuation Texts: The Human Comedy The Odyssey of Homer Conversion of the Jews Projects: Odyssey Projects Mini Essay Two-day videos Five-Paragraph Essay Ancient Greek scavenger hunt Unit IV. Denying Our Humanity: Fourth Quarter Individuality, the dignity of human life and the dehumanizing effects of society; negotiating a culture at odds with individual beliefs. Persuasive writing; public speaking; developing style; homonyms Texts: On Being Crazy A Separate Peace A Pair of Silk Stockings A Lesson Before Dying Projects: Debate Mini Essay Five-Paragraph Essay

5 Unit 1 LED Words Antagonist Argument Canon character Climax Conflict Denouement Description Diction Epiphany Exposition Falling action Fiction Foreshadowing Juxtaposition Literature Metaphor Narrator Non fiction Novel Plot Cycle Point of view Prose Protagonist Rising Action Round and flat/static and dynamic Setting Subplot Syntax Theme Unit 2 LED Words Alliteration Allusion Aside Assonance Bard Blank verse Comedy Connotation Consonance Convention Couplet Denotation Dialogue Drama Dramatic irony Figurative language Foot Gothic novel Heroic couplet Hyperbole Iambic pentameter Imagery Internal/external rhyme Irony (3 types) Meter Monologue Mood Narrative poem Paradox Personification Poetry Pun Rhyme Rhythm Scansion Simile Sonnet Soliloquy Stanza Tone Tragedy Tragic flaw Tragic hero Unit 3 LED Words Archetype Bildungsroman epic poetry Epic simile Hubris Muse Mythology Allegory Any other word I think you need. Unit 4 LED Words

6 Thursday August 26 Friday August 27 Monday August 30 Tuesday August 31 Wednesday September 1 Thursday September 2 Friday September 3 Freshmen: Aug 26 Sept 3, 2010 Seating chart and correct names Hand out syllabus Expectations LEDs: literature, canon, fiction, non-fiction, novel Four major parts of a short story or novel (definition and ex.) o Character, protagonist, antagonist, static, dynamic o Theme o Setting o Plot HW: Fill in plot cycle with your best guesses Collect homework Review terms Discuss plot cycle in depth LEDs: point of view, narrator/narration HW: Terms quiz tomorrow understanding of novel assumed Collect homework Discuss themes 20 minutes Paragraph structure HW: Write one paragraph explaining what you believe to be the major theme of TS. Collect homework Gram: diagnostic test MLA style Begin review HW: study for TS test tomorrow TS test 15 minutes Gram introduction HW: enjoy a day of freedom Return tests and answer question Grammar: nouns HW: grammar

7 Unit I: Man and Fellow Man - the Quest to Belong Primary Work Studied: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Activities: Simple sentences; vocabulary chapter 1; descriptive writing; MLA format Paper: Character description 1 page Timetable: 8/27 to 9/10 Week 1 F: Mice 1-16 Week 2 M: Mice T: Mice by Thursday R: Mice F: Mice Week 3 T: Mice R: Paper #1 due, Review for Test F: Test Unit II: Man and the Gods - the Quest for Immortality Primary Work Studied: The Odyssey by Homer Simpson Activities: Verb complexities; adjectives, adverbs and prepositional phrases; compound and complex sentences; vocabulary chapters 2-4; informative writing Paper: God report 2 pages Projects: Individual and group Timetable: 9/10 to 10/22 Unit III: Man and Society - the Quest for Glory Primary Work Studied: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare Additional Reading: The Most Dangerous Game, Poe, poetry Activities: Compound and complex sentences; sentence structure; verbals; vocabulary chapters 5-8; persuasive writing Paper: Brutus nobility 3 pages Projects: Individual and group Timetable: 10/22 to 12/22 Unit IV: Man and Society the Quest for Acceptance Primary Work Studied: Black Boy by Richard Wright Additional Reading: Two Old Women, A Rose for Emily, poetry Activities: Vocabulary chapters 9-12; biographical writing Paper: 5-part autobiography 1-2 pages/chapter Timetable: 1/6 to 3/9 Unit V: Man and Himself the Quest for Identity Primary Work Studied: Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya Additional Reading: to be determined Activities: Vocabulary chapters 13-15; essays Paper: Character analysis 2-3 pages Projects: Literary circles Timetable: 3/9 to 5/25