AP English Literature & Composition

Transcription

1 AP English Literature & Composition Instructor: Mr. Vincent Anastasi Contact Information: Class Websites: o Class Code = n9ka4ia Course Description: A.P. English Literature & Composition is a college level course designed by the College Board and offered at the high school level in accordance with College Board requirements described in the AP English Course Description. It is designed to prepare students to successfully complete the A.P. English examination and receive college level credit at participating colleges and universities. As a study of literature, the A.P. English Literature and Composition course is designed to engage students in the careful reading and critical analysis of imaginative works. Through the close reading of selected texts, students will deepen their understanding of the ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read, students will consider a work s diction, structure, style, and themes, as well as literary devices such as the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone. The course begins with an intensive study of how to effectively analyze fiction through a deeper understanding of the literary tools authors use. Writing instruction will include attention to developing and organizing ideas in clear, coherent, and persuasive language; a study of the elements of style; and attention to precision and correctness as necessary. Throughout the course, emphasis will be placed on helping students develop stylistic maturity, which, for A.P. English, is characterized by the following: a balance of generalization with specific illustrative detail; a logical organization, enhanced by specific techniques of coherence such as repetition, transitions, and emphasis; a variety of sentence structures, including appropriate use of subordinate and coordinate constructions; 1

2 a wide-ranging vocabulary used with denotative accuracy and connotative resourcefulness; effective use of rhetoric, including controlling tone, maintaining a consistent voice, and achieving emphasis through parallelism and antithesis. Throughout the course students will practice both timed essays and longer out-of-class papers. Through constructive feedback from both the instructor and peers, students will revise some of their pieces into polished final drafts. Materials and Resources: The primary texts students will use in the course are Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing by Edgar V. Roberts and Literature: Reading, Reacting, Writing by Laurie G. Kirszner and Stephen R. Mandell. The course also includes assorted novels and plays such as, King Lear by Shakespeare, Bartleby, the Scrivener by Melville, Metamorphosis by Kafka, and The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway. A more detailed syllabus related to units, works to be studied, and objectives can be found on my Google Classroom page (see link on the first page). Keys to Success: Most important to success in AP English Literature is hard work on the part of each individual student as evidenced by the careful reading of texts, engagement in class discussions, and timely completion of all work, ever seeking to improve as an accurate reader and effective writer. You will be daily challenged to think, ask questions, and extend yourself beyond your own comfort zone and worldview. Extra Help: Should you need extra help at any time over the course of the year or have any questions regarding class, we can schedule a time to meet that is convenient for both of us. I am usually free most mornings from 7:30 to 8:00, fifth period, seventh period, and also after school. Please schedule a time to meet with me; don t just show up as I may not be available. A valuable resource to give students an idea of what to expect on the AP exam and additional support materials for the class can be found at Classroom Policies: Grading: o Unlike most high school courses, AP English is designed to reward students who work hard and show commitment and improvement over the course of the year. Although student achievement will still be assessed through typical means such as written assignments, quizzes, presentations, and homework, the final grade for each marking period will reflect the continued commitment on a student s part to put his or her best effort into each assignment and to be actively engaged in the class. In other words, even if a student does not receive As on all of his 2

3 or her papers, if that student demonstrates the hard work and commitment worthy of the grade, he or she will more likely receive an A as detailed in the Grading Contract. Hard work and commitment could be evidenced by such things as: focused effort on self-improvement through revision of work; completing all work on time; being actively engaged in class discussions; working cooperatively with other students to become better writers and readers; seeking extra help as needed outside of class, etc. The grading contract is available on the Google Classroom page (see link on the first page). o Since grading is an individualized process, a grading contract will empower each student to take initiative in their own assessment and evaluation. The grade for the marking period will be decided by the choices the student makes, not solely earned scores on assignments, although they reflect student achievement on one level. o As a general guideline, the following weighted grading system will be in place for the duration of the year and will be considered as part of the grading contract: Papers and Timed Essays = 40% Projects, Presentations and Tests = 30% Homework, In-class Work and Quizzes = 10% Grading Contract = 20% Reading and Writing Assignments: o Students are expected to read each assigned text in a timely manner and carefully. Close readings of texts will require more time than pleasurable reading and likely require multiple readings and annotation (especially as it relates to poetry). Students will also be required to keep a reader-response journal in which they will free-write responses to the works studied as well as record key quotes and vocabulary for each work. o In terms of writing, students will write multiple timed essays, formal critical papers, and creative assignments in relation to the assigned texts and units of study. Opportunities for peer review, writing workshops, and teacher conferences are included throughout the course. In revised drafts, students will be required to highlight at least two new vocabulary words specifically chosen to demonstrate work in developing a wide-ranging vocabulary. o As another means of increasing a student s ability to choose the right word, as Dickinson would say, students will be assigned creative writing assignments in which specifically assigned vocabulary must be used in the work. These assignments, along with the vocabulary gathered in the reader-response journals, should enable students to write with greater accuracy and authority. o All work must be completed and ready for submission or discussion on the dates assigned. A monthly calendar will be provided each month beyond what is found in this syllabus. Late work should not even be seen as an option! If you plan to be out of class on a day an assignment is due (i.e, field trips, show choir), 3

4 that assignment must somehow find its way to me either in paper form or via or Edmodo. Wide Reading Novels: o Throughout the year, you should be reading works from suggested wide reading lists I provide in order to prepare for the open-ended question of the AP English Literature exam and to broaden your understanding of life. In order to help you round out your repertoire, you will need to select and read ONE work outside of class per marking period. For each work you read, you will take a reading quiz AND complete a one-page reading record outline as follows: Properly submit the work typed in MLA format Your title should include book title & author Following the model outline provided in class, answer one of the released AP Exam open-ended prompts that I provide giving a short outline with evidence to show how you d address the prompt clearly o For your wide reading works, you must pick from the following lists (in any order): Choose TWO works from the Titles from Free Response Questions list that includes every work referenced on the open-ended question of the AP English Literature exam since Some of the most referenced works include: The Invisible Man Ralph Ellison Wuthering Heights Emily Bronte Crime and Punishment Fyodor Dostoevski Jane Eyre Charlotte Bronte Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad Moby Dick Herman Melville The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain The Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man James Joyce 1984 George Orwell Choose ONE play from the selections below A Doll s House Henrik Ibsen Oedipus Rex - Sophocles The Glass Menagerie Tennessee Williams The Importance of Being Earnest Oscar Wilde Fences August Wilson Any Shakespeare play not studied in high school Choose ONE novel or play of choice (must be of literary merit and get my approval). Make-up & Late Work: o In the event of an absence, you are expected to adhere to the guidelines in the student handbook. It is expected that students will make up all missed work immediately following their absence(s) from school. If a student missed one day, the student has one day to make up the work, if a student missed two days, the student has two days to make up the work, etc. Being absent for any reason the 4

5 day before a previously announced exam or assignment due date does not excuse a student from taking the exam or completing and turning in the assignment on the due date. If you are going on a field trip, college visit, or vacation you must see me prior to the trip and obtain any assignments you might miss, or make arrangements with me to make up any tests/quizzes you will miss. Hall Pass Use: o Students will be permitted to use their hall passes for emergencies only. You should use time between classes to use the restroom and/or get a drink of water. Academic Integrity: Cheating & Plagiarism: Please refer to page 13 of GCHS Student/Parent Handbook for our district policies. Internet Usage: Please refer to pages of the GCHS Student/Parent Handbook, and our Acceptable Use Policy for our district policies on computer use. 5