7th grade Language Arts



Course Syllabus: AP Literature and Composition

Ms. Duering C107

duering.rhonda@

480.224.2847



Mr. Mitchell C113

Mitchell.dennis@

480.224.2853

phsmitchell

Course Description

AP English Literature and Composition is a rigorous course that includes intensive writing, study of a variety of literary genres and works, and careful and deliberate reading for multiple levels of meaning. We will be examining forms of literature from poetry and short stories to drama and novels of greater length. Many of the works in the class will fall under the British Literature category in compliance with the district standards for senior English. The expectation of this course is that the students will dig deeper, look closer, and ask questions as they read and examine literature. While we learn how to be precise readers, we will also learn to be concise and illuminating writers.

The 2012-2013 is full of changes. The closest to home is our transition from the STI Gradebook to the Infinite Campus grading system. The new database is more personalized and will present a clearer picture of your student’s performance. Teachers received their first training for the database this week: please be patient with our learning curve. Another big conversion is the changeover to the Arizona Common Core teaching standards. Eventually these standards will replace AIMS, the Arizona-specific standards. The mission statement of AzCCS is: The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.

PHS is dedicated to incorporating the Arizona Common Core Standards into the English curriculum and increasing the rigor of our instruction.

Prerequisites

• American Literature English 11, AP Language and Composition/American Literature, or a similar course of study in American literature

• Teacher recommendation and/or approval.

Course Goals

• To improve critical thinking and analytical skills to be measured through writing practice and studying literary analysis.

• To expand vocabulary to better describe and understand the literary works studied, using college vocabulary.

• To dig further into the meanings of language, diction, imagery, use of details, style, and structure.

• To develop the skills and knowledge necessary to score well (at least a 3) on the AP exam in the spring.

• To promote imagination and improve abilities to respond to all literature.

• To evaluate the historical, cultural, social, economic, political, religious, psychological, and philosophical influences on the author and his or her work.

• To analyze the literary and social impact of the work.

Supplies

Students are expected to maintain a binder for English class, and come to class daily with all necessary supplies. At a minimum, students will need the following:

Binder w/ dividers

Notebook paper

Post-It notes

Pens – black or blue AND red

#2 Pencils

Grading scale

All assignments must be completed successfully by the designated due date to receive a grade. Grades are assigned based upon the following scale:

A = 100 – 90

B = 89 – 80

C = 79 - 70

D = 69 – 60

F = 59 - 0

Note:

*Semester grades are calculated as follows: cumulative first quarter & second quarter = 80%, semester final = 20%.

*Extra credit opportunities are rare and cannot be counted on to salvage a grade. Please do not neglect your regularly assigned work.

*Essays will be graded holistically, in the style of the Advanced Placement 9-point rubric.

AP Exam

• Students are encouraged, but not required to sit the AP literature exam. Please see me if taking the exam presents a financial hardship.

Technology requirements:

Major writing assignments completed outside of class must be typed and printed prior to the class in which they are due. If you require me to print an assignment for you, the assignment will receive an automatic deduction of one complete letter grade. For example, a paper scoring 94% would become an 84% if I must print it for you. In some cases, writing assignments will be submitted directly through the website. Students will create login IDs and passwords for during class.

Students may also be required to access the class website in order to complete or obtain assignments.

Academic integrity:

Students are expected to do their own work. Serious consequences exist for students who cheat, copy, or plagiarize. On the first offense, all students willingly participating in the dishonest act will receive a zero on the assignment/quiz/test in question. Additionally, I will contact their parents and a disciplinary referral will be sent to the administration. Subsequent offenses may result in a student failing or being removed from the class.

Late assignments:

Assignments are to be completed and ready to turn in by the beginning of the class period in which they are due. Assignments submitted after that time are considered late and will not receive credit.

Students who have an excused absence will be given an extension to make up their work. For instance, if the student was absent (excused) for three days, the missing work is due three school days after their return. Students are responsible for obtaining the missing work.

Students with an unexcused absence will not be allowed to make up homework, class work, quizzes, or tests, and a zero will be recorded in the grade book.

Attendance

Students are expected to arrive in class and take their seats prior to the bell. If the bell rings before you have crossed the threshold of the door, you will be marked tardy. Students who are tardy four or more times will be referred to the administration for disciplinary action. Students with more than 10 absences in a semester may be failed. If a student accrues 15 absences or more in a single semester, they will not receive a passing grade.

Questions

If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to call and leave a phone message. However, it is more expedient to reach us via CUSD email.

Excellent References for AP Students and Parents:







PS- I always feel sorry for them when they order the pollo instead of the cabrito.

Permission for Companion Films AP 12

Students in AP Literature will watch companion films for the curriculum. The viewing of these films is completely optional.

All the Pretty Horses PG-13

Hamlet (Mel Gibson Version PG) or Hamlet (Great Performances from PBS- PG)

Macbeth (Thames ShakespeareCollection) If time allows…

Various A & E and The History Channel biographies and documentaries

If you give your child your permission to view these films in class, please sign on the line below. If you do not give your permission, please write out “NO PERMISSION”.

X ____________________________________________________

Printed Student Name: ____________________________________________________

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