English III American Literature Course Syllabus



Hero’s Journey Course Syllabus

Mrs. Cale

Course Description/Overview

In this semester long English class, students will survey various writings and films to analyze the Hero’s Journey. The class will analyze and discuss literary elements within each work as well as the society in which the work is placed. Students will ultimately be able to recognize the many aspects of the hero’s journey as seen in literature, various media forms, and pop culture. In addition to looking at the hero’s individual journey, students will define what it means to be a “real” hero in today’s society and who we as a society praise as a true hero. My goal as a teacher is to encourage students to clarify their own beliefs and values as well as voice their opinions.

In addition to literature, students will embark on many different writing genres. These genres include but are not limited to compare-contrast essay, journalistic writing, photo essays, and a full process research paper presented in the form of a Multigenre Project.

There is not a selected textbook for this course. At this time I have selected readings and film selections based on what I hope to accomplish with the course. I have selected materials that should be both entertaining and educational for students. The use of graphic novels is to help the students become more engaged with the material. However, please be aware that the material is at time graphic. I can offer an alternate assignment or use the original text if anyone desires not to read the graphic novel. I have selected graphic novels that use the original text from the classic readings so that the richness of the literature has not been lost. Please feel free to request the graphic novels for review if you are concerned about the materials.

Course Materials

• Blue or Black ink pens

• Colored Pencils or Markers

• Three-ring binder with dividers

• Loose leaf paper NO SPIRAL NOTEBOOKS

Course Policies

Attendance/Absences/Make-up Work: Your job as a student is to be at school giving 100% at all times. If you are absent, it is your soul responsibility to inquire about the missing assignments and turn them in. I do not do that for you. Papers and projects are always assigned more than a week in advance. Therefore, if you are absent, the project or paper is DUE the day you arrive back at school. NO EXCEPTIONS!!! All other make-up work is based on the number of days you were absent and the fact of an excused or unexcused absence.

Late Assignments: As juniors and seniors in high school, you are responsible adults. It is your responsibility to have all work turned in at the correct due time. I do not accept late assignments. There are many extra times throughout a given day to have extra help (before school, lunch, and after school), therefore the phrase “I did not understand the assignment will not be accepted. If it is a personal problem, talk to me and we may come to a compromise. Please avoid the procrastination pitfalls that some students have. It is better to not procrastinate in life period!

Classroom Rules/Expectations: I expect you to be in the room on time prepared to work. This does not mean in the door only. You are to come to class prepared with the daily assignments and ready to participate for the day. I expect my class to be full of adults that will respect one another and other property. This includes the room and all school or teacher owned materials. I also expect you to clean up your trash. That is not my job.

Plagiarism/Cheating: I begin the year trusting that all work is the original work of the student. Yet, I have discovered that students copy work word-for-word and they are always caught. If you are caught copying, you and the other participant will receive a zero. NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!! This goes beyond homework and any other assignment. This includes all papers and essays. If I feel that the words written do not seem to be yours, all I have to do is type the sentence into the search engine and all documents where that sentence was used will appear. I suggest that you give the correct documentation if you borrow words. Failure to do so will result in a zero. If this were college, you would be kicked out!!! Is cheating worth it?

Course Procedures

Format of papers: I expect all papers to be typed. This is not an option. I give enough fair warning that a student without a computer can make arrangements to go to a friend’s house, library, or work in class. Papers are to be typed in Times New Roman, 12 font, double-spaced, one-inch margins. Each paper submitted will have a cover page that includes your name of paper, your name, and date…nothing else. I do not want fancy lettering and color.

Grammar: Knowing and using good grammar is an important life skill. As juniors, I will not spend countless hours going over grammar exercises in a book, especially when you should be familiar with most all grammar rules. Grammar will be taught through your own writing assignments, peer editing, and revisions.

Grading Policy/Assessment

Evaluation: For all major papers and projects, you will be given a rubric that clearly defines what is an “A” to a “D,” therefore when you are learning about the assignment, you are also learning how you will be graded. That rubric given to you will be resubmitted with your final product and I will mark on the rubric. Always try for the best grade. No one has ever gotten ahead by being lazy and putting no effort into his or her job.

Contact Information

I prefer that you ask questions in class because someone might have the same question. I am also at school around 8:10 am and have third mod planning. I prefer that parents reach me by e-mail at: mckinama@wcboe.k12.md.us. I will do my best to reply to e-mails every day.

I, ___________________________________, and I _________________________________, have read

(Parent name) (Student name)

understand the junior English course syllabus and the course expectations.

______________________________________ ________________________________________

(parent signature) (student signature)

Email address_____________________________________________________

This syllabus needs to remain in your notebook all year long.

English III

Mrs. Cale

Unit One: Ritual and Rite of Passage-The Heroic Journey-The Call Refused

• What is a hero?

• What is a hero’s journey?

• Film Analysis: Harry Potter-Journey Cycle

Paper Assignment: Hero’s Journey Film Project

• Film/Character Analysis-outside class assignment

Unit Two: Hero’s Journey in Contemporary Literature

• The Hunger Games

Paper Assignment: SAT Timed Writing Take-Home Exam

Unit Three: Greek, Epic & Medieval Heroes

• Beowulf (Graphic Novel)

• Heracles, Perseus, Theseus, Jason

• Sir Gawain

• King Arthur (Documentaries & Poems)

Hero’s Journey Myth

• Group Presentation

Unit Four: The “Monster” Hero and the Gothic Genre

• Edward Scissorhands (Film)

• Frankenstein (Graphic Novel)

• Dracula (screen play)

Paper Assignment: Gothic Genre

• Literature Analysis-The Monster as A Hero

Unit Five: The American Superhero

• The Superhero Philosophy

• Super Heroes

Photo Essay Assignment

• Create your own Superhero

Final Presentations:

• My Journey: Mandala Journey Essay

• Multigenre Project: Greatest Hero of All Time

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