AP+Literature+Course+Expectations+and+Tentative+Syllabus

** AP Literature and Composition ** ** Course Expectations & Tentative Syllabus ** ** 2014-2015 ** Mrs. Melissa Wilcox Email: mwilcox@ndsion.edu Gmail: mwilcox@ndsion.edu Website: http://wilcoxenglishwiki.wikispaces.com/ School phone: 816.942.3282 ext. 1159

“What is wonderful about great literature is that it transforms the [person] who reads it towards the condition of the [person] who wrote.”  -E.M. Forster

** Course Philosophy/Description ** Your quest for excellent literature and your astute writing skills have lead you here to AP Literature and Composition. The primary goal of this class is to further develop your abilities as an independent reader and writer by giving you a college-level course during your senior year. If you successfully complete the AP Exam in May, there is a strong possibility of earning college credit (this of course depends on your college’s policies). As **this is a rigorous college-level course**, the requirements will be demanding. The reading, albeit rewarding, is also very **complex, challenging, and frequent**. The writing, for the most part, is analytical and will require critical and independent thinking. Classroom discussion and active participation are vital and serve as a means of developing your theories about literature. This year we will read both traditional and contemporary prose, drama, and poetry. Take charge of your learning, read actively and closely, and attend class each day ready to discuss your insights and revelations. I hope you are ready for the challenges that await you and bring your best effort to the classroom daily. If you engage deeply in your learning and fulfill your responsibilities in the class, the grade you deserve will follow.

** Objectives **
 * Students will read challenging works of recognized literary merit;
 * Students will read independently and actively (critically, closely, and carefully);
 * Students will write in a variety of forms, for a variety of purposes;
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Students will write intelligent and insightful responses/analyses of literature passages in both impromptu and prepared essays;
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Students will articulate responses during small as well as large group discussion.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Texts **
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Summer Reading ** : __How to Read Literature like a Professor__ by Thomas Foster. Hemingway short stories: <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">“Soldier’s Home,” “The Snows of Kilimanjaro,” “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber,” & “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place. __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.5;">Old School __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.5;"> by Tobias Wolff and __The Round House__ by Louise Erdrich.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Writing ** : __On Writing the College Application Essay__

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Literature ** : __Perrine's Literature: Structure, Sound, and Sense 10th edition.__ <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Major works include __Wuthering Heights__, __Metamorphosis__, __As I Lay Dying,__ __Beloved__, __Hamlet__, __A Doll House__, “Trifles,” __Atonement__, __Fences__, __Wit__, and selected short stories (40-50) and poems (a number too high to count).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** AP Practice ** : __Cliff’s AP Literature and Composition__

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Types of Activities/Assessments **

 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Reader Response—dialectical journal, annotating, reading log, questions, What Does Your Character Want?
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Writing Portfolio
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Voice Lessons—analysis of diction, detail, imagery, syntax, and tone
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Poetry response/discussion (TPCASTT, etc)
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">In-class timed writings & practice AP tests
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Other formal writings including a Comparison-Contrast Essay, Explication of a Poem, Character Analysis
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Participation—group work, discussion, etc.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Socratic Seminars
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Quizzes (check reading completion)
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Reading—every night

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Supplies Needed **

 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">1-2” binder for this class or a composition notebook (optional)
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Flash drive
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">College-rule loose leaf paper
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Blue/black pens
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Post-it notes

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; text-align: center;">** Guidelines & Procedures ** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Classroom Expectations ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">In order for you to attain the most from your classroom experience, the following rules, based on general courtesy and respect, will be enforced:


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">Respect the teacher, your classmates, the administration, and yourself;
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">Be on time and in your assigned seat by the time the bell rings;
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">Bring all necessary materials to class;
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">Proper manners, language and behavior are not only expected but required;
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">Technology devices will be allowed on an as-needed basis at my discretion (if I haven’t given permission, it’s best not to have it out).
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">Adhere to the uniform guidelines in and out of class during school hours;
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">With the exception of clear water bottles, please leave all other food and drink in your locker or cafeteria.


 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5;">Assignments **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Assignments are due at the beginning of the hour, no exceptions.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Take responsibility for your learning. If an assignment is typed, please back up your files to a flash drive. Print hard copies of each typed assignment before you come to class. Learn how to create PDF files. Email and formatting problems are no excuse for not handing in an assignment on time (see information below).
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Format: Papers must have MLA formatting. The majority of papers completed outside of class should be typed. Assignments completed in class must be written in blue/black ink. Make sure to include first and last name, the date, hour, and subject of assignment on all your work.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Some of your larger papers will need to be emailed or shared with me through **Google Docs**. Please do so with my school Gmail address: mwilcox@ndsion.edu
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">If you're absent from class for any reason, you need to make up class discussion by completing extra written work. Check the website for specific details or see me about the day you've missed.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Attendance ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Attendance is essential for your success in this class. While students will be afforded the opportunity to make up missed assignments for excused absences, **interaction during discussion is invaluable and difficult to replicate.** If you have a field trip, college visit, retreat, etc. please see me in advance to arrange make up times for quizzes, tests and assignments. **If you have more than three absences in a quarter, extra work may be implemented at my discretion.** Please be mindful that this is a college-level class offered to you in a high school setting, so we need to work together to overcome some of the challenges. In addition, you have two opportunities to attend Kairos retreats as well as opportunities to lead these retreats. If you decide to take AP Literature and Composition, you may attend one and lead another for a total of two Kairos retreats during the school year (one per semester). Clearly, you must be in strong standing academically to be considered. See Ms. Pino-Dressman or me with your questions.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Absences and Make-up Assignments **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Please, please check the website before you ask me if you missed “anything” in class. If you are ill, and I haven’t posted an assignment, feel free to email me.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.5;">Once again, if you're absent from class for any reason, you need to make up class discussion by completing extra written work. Check the website for specific details or see me about the day you've missed.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">If absence is excused, students will have two days for every day absent.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Unexcused absences will result in an automatic zero.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Major assignments unrelated to absences will be lowered 10% for each day it is late. Late work will not be accepted on daily homework. If you have a serious problem with an assignment’s due date, you must see me before the due date so we might collectively formulate an alternative.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">If you are absent on a day a major assignment is due, send the assignment with a friend/sibling, have a parent/guardian leave the assignment in the front office, or if this is impossible, I will accept your assignment via Gmail (mwilcox@ndsion.edu). Make sure you have shared it correctly with me in your settings.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Plagiarism ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">“Plagiarism refers to a form of cheating that has been defined as ‘the false assumption of authorship: the wrongful act of taking the product of another person’s mind, and presenting it as one’s own. To use another person’s ideas or expressions in your writing without acknowledging the source is to plagiarize. Plagiarism, then, constitutes intellectual theft.” (//MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers,// 5th edition, page 30).

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Plagiarism not only cheats the author from whom you stole, but it cheats you out of an educational opportunity to grow and learn. Anything deemed as common knowledge does not need to be cited. If you are unsure whether or not to cite a source after quotations, paraphrasing, or summarizing, please clarify with me. If you do plagiarize, accidentally or maliciously, you will receive a zero for that assignment without the possibilityof revising.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Unless I mention otherwise, it is understood all required assignments, those both inside and outside of class, will be completed by you independently.

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Other forms of cheating will also result in a zero. Parents, counselor, Principal, Dean of Students and Academic Dean will be notified. Please refer to the school handbook or ask me if you have questions.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Grading **
 * **<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Grades will follow Sion’s grading scale. **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Quarter grades are based on total points (homework is not weighted less than papers and quizzes).
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">1st Semester grade= Q1 (40%) + Q2 (40%) + semester exam (20%); 2nd Semester grade= Q3 (50%)+(50%). Students enrolled in AP Literature and Composition will take the College Board’s AP Exam in May.
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Rubrics will accompany most, if not all, writing assignments.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Enrichment **
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** No opportunities for extra enrichment will be extended until __all required assignments__ are completed and turned in, even those that will not earn credit because of excessive lateness. **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Mentoring/Conference Sessions: (I'm free 3rd hour and 7th hours in room 206). **
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> If you need help with your literary analyses, college essays, or other writing assignments, I will be glad to offer help at lunch, after, or before school. **Please schedule an appointment with me. Many papers can only be revised if you see me to discuss problems/solutions.** Ralph Waldo Emerson wisely said, “[People] succeed when they realize that their failures are the preparation for their victories.” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">While we all have high expectations for ourselves, it is healthy and normal to make mistakes and learn as a result of them.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Tentative Quarterly Syllabus **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Quarter 1—Short Story Boot-camp **

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">“We come newborn to every milestone of life’s journey, and often act like novices at each, no matter what our age.” <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> --La Rochefoucauld

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">“…In the eyes of youth we see a flame, but in the eyes of the aged we see light.” <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> --Victor Hugo

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">“One of the definitions of the loss of innocence is perhaps the fragmenting of that united self—a split that is different, and emblematic, not only for each sex, but also for each era.” <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> --Molly Haskell

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Literature **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Summer Reading—discussion and assessments
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Short Story Boot-camp—approximately 40-50 short stories in a 6-week time period
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.5;">As I Lay Dying __

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Writing **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Free Response In-Class Essays, Question 2/Prose Literary Analysis
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Out-of- class essays
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">College application essay workshop (1 week)
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Character Analysis (WDYCW?)
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Comparison-contrast literary analysis

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Quarter Two--Poetry Intensive **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">“Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood.” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">--T.S. Eliot <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> “ Poetry is a mirror which makes beautiful that which is distorted.” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> --Percy Bysshe Shelly <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">“Poetry is language at its most distilled and most powerful.” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> --Rita Dove

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Literature **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Poetry intensive
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Independent reading—__Wuthering Heights__
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Begin reading your 2nd Time Around novel.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Writing **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Poetry analysis, explicate a poem
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Formal Free-Response In-Class Essays, Question 1/Poetry Literary Analysis
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Informal responses

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Complete at least three multiple choice practice tests independently from __Cliffs AP__ before 1st Semester Final Exam. **

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Quarter Three, Unit Three Theme: Living in Families/ Parent-Child Relationships **

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">“Blood’s thicker than water, and when one’s in trouble <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Best to seek out a relative’s open arms.” <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> --Euripides <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">“Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> --Leo Tolstoy <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">“Happy or unhappy, families are all mysterious.” <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> --Gloria Steinem

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Literature **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Novella—//Metamorphosis//
 * <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times,serif;">Novel— //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Beloved, // <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">your choice of novel/drama (independent read) with literary analysis (2nd Time Around)
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Drama—//Hamlet//

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Writing **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.399999618530273px;">Formal AP In-Class Essays
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Informal responses
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Paper for Independent reading/2nd Time Around due early 3rd Quarter
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Character Analysis
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Reader Response Journal to a partner (//Beloved//)

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Quarter Four, Unit Four Theme: Awakenings & Confronting Mortality ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die.” --Ecclesiastes

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">“Death destroys a man. The idea of death saves him.” <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> --E.M. Forster

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">“When I was young, I admired clever people. As I grew old, I came to admire kind people.” <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> --Abraham Joshua Heschel

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> “If every day is an awakening, you will never grow old. You will just keep growing. ” <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;"> --Gail Sheehy

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Literature **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%;">Novel—__Atonement__
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Drama—//Wit, A Doll House//
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Selected short stories

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">** Writing **
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">AP intensive review—short stories, the novel, drama, poetry
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Formal AP In-Class Essays--Q1, Q2, and Q3
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 14.6667px;">Character analysis