Download 2012-2013Seniorsyllabus[1] - NicholsSeniors-2012

English IV Honors Course Description
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters
compared to what lies within us.” --Ralph Waldo Emerson
Overview
This course is designed for students who possess reading, writing, listening, speaking, and organizational skills beyond those
of the average high-school senior. English IV Honors is a seminar-based course designed around student-led inquiry. Participants use
significant works of literature as a foundation for exploring and challenging the interpretations of other readers and writers. The course
heavily depends upon the oral and written exchange of ideas that occurs between students.
Using reader-response formats and literary criticism as well as other resources, the course will promote critical reading,
writing, and thinking as well as in-depth analysis of literature and media. The course has been organized with both full class and
cooperative group activities which enable students to approach the readings with a critical eye and then to discuss these works in
preparation for individual and group assignments.
On-demand and take-home essays, seminars, and projects will be the primary means of assessment. Students will be
expected to demonstrate understanding of the literature under investigation, to develop arguments about critical analyses, to write
effectively in different modes, and to probe their own interpretations of the various elements, qualities, and ideas of individual works.
Course Focus
“How does literature enrich our lives?”
As you explore a wide variety of challenging texts, you will collaborate with classmates to extend your understandings
and create new meanings. You will lead seminar discussions, complete informal and formal writing assignments, share
rough and final written drafts with the class, and provide meaningful feedback for peers.
You will work towards independent projects and papers in which you use course materials, experiences, and research as a
basis for constructing original responses to the essential question, “How does literature enrich our lives?” Samples of
thematic units which guide our inquiry are:
Unit 1: The Search for Meaning:
Texts-- “Allegory of the Cave,” by Plato, Siddhartha by Hesse, Man’s Search for Meaning by Frankl,
Waking Life directed by Linklater, Fahrenheit 451 by Bradbury, and selected short stories & poetry from
The Norton Introduction to Literature
Unit 2: The Lens of Gender and Class:
Texts are selected from the following--A Streetcar Named Desire by Williams, The Handmaid’s Tale by
Atwood, The Bell Jar by Plath, The Taming of the Shrew by Shakespeare, The Color Purple by Walker,
Raising Cain: Boys in focus, selected Short Stories & Poetry from the Norton Anthology, selected Essays
from The Barbie Chronicles, selected contemporary, non-fiction articles, columns, editorials
Unit 3: Good and Evil
Texts--The Things They Carried by O’Brien, The Road by McCarthy, Hamlet or Othello by
Shakespeare, and selected Short Stories from the Norton Anthology and available on-line:
“The Destructors” Graham Greene, “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” LeGuin
Selected Poetry: “Fire and Ice” Frost,“Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night” Thomas,“At the
Crossroads” Richard Hovey,“Charge of the Light Brigade” Tennyson, “Concord Hymn” Emerson,
“Dulce et Decorum Est” Owen, “Facing It” Yusef Komunyakaa, “Here, Bullet” Billy Turner, “The
Man He Killed” Hardy, “Death of the Ball Turret Gunner” Jarrell
Unit 4: Creative Writing
Several original projects, (such as short stories, one act dramas, collections of poetry, short films, essays, graphic
and text hybrids), will be produced in addition to participation in an end of year class coffee house. The focus of
this unit is on originality, the writing process, and creative expression of personal interest.
Grading: Grades are calculated based on total points system. Points are determined by depth and duration of the
assignment. For example, homework assignments might be worth 5 or 10 points, whereas a long-term writing project
might be worth 100 or 200 points. Quarters are worth 20%. Midterms and Finals are worth 10%. If you have a cumulative
A average in the fourth quarter, the final exam is optional.
Electronic Communication Devices: Use of ECDs in the classroom is subject to teacher discretion. Please note: the
English Department does not condone the use of Sparknotes or similar resources.
Extra Credit: Extra credit may be offered for enrichment purposes but not as a replacement for missed assignments at the
end of the quarter.
MATERIALS: All students must have a designated writer’s notebook—A single-subject, college-ruled notebook with
full-size paper. 70 to 100 sheets. They have to fit in the bin. Also bring:
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The appropriate literary text
An English notebook or binder with loose-leaf paper
A folder for handouts
Pen and pencils
A highlighter for revision work
GUIDELINES FOR WRITTEN WORK: The theory that writing is a recursive process is the heart of this course. All
completed, take-home essays must be accompanied by pre-writing materials, writing group notes, drafts, and peer responses. Also,
to help you learn the revision skills you need, you will be asked, regularly, to give thoughtful written and oral comments on your
classmates' writing and your own.
Writing to deadline is very important responsibility in an Honors Senior class: all writing assignments are due at the
beginning of the class for which they were assigned. Please note that quite often we are sharing, proofreading, or peer
editing on the day a paper is due. If you do not have the assignment, you are not only neglecting your own
responsibilities, but you are interfering with the writing process of other students. Therefore, late submissions of writing
assignments (anything turned in after the beginning of class) will receive an initial 20 percent deduction, and then 10% for
each day. Missing homework handed in within 24 hours is worth 50%.
You are expected to bring the assignment the next school day if you are absent. The A/B day gap is not an excuse. If you
are in school, bring in the assignment. Waiting until the next class day will cost you more late points.
All formal papers must be typed, double spaced. Homework should be typed as well, unless otherwise instructed.
Computers are available in school; please use them! I can provide passes to computer labs during studies and lunch.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ANTICIPATE TECHNOLOGY GLITCHES BY:
● not waiting until the last minute to do your work,
● having extra paper and ink cartridges available at home,
● knowing how to email assignments to school or a friend,
● having portable memory available to save your work,
● doing a trial run by printing from your disks/email at school before it is an emergency to be sure our technology is
compatible with yours.
MIND THE GAP as they say in London: Beware of the “gap-day” created by the block schedule. For example, if you
are back in school after an absence, but don’t have English that day, you are still expected to check with your study
partner, hand in work, pick up work, and be prepared for the next class. You will not be exempt from quizzes and
assignments if you are in school on the gap day. Be especially careful with Friday absences.
EXTRA HELP, QUESTIONS, CONCERNS?
I am available for extra help after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and other times by appointment, but students are encouraged to
stop by any day after school with questions or concerns.
Parents may call or e-mail: 203 775-7725 [email protected]
Nichols 2012-2013