Bishop Carroll Catholic High School
English III and English III Honors
Course Syllabus, 2007-2008
Course Title:
English III/English III Honors
Instructor:
Mrs. Nancy Diepenbrock (Home
phone: {316} 755-1573) email: diepenbrocknancy@bcchs.org
Course Text:
Literature: The American
Experience. Prentice Hall,
1996.
Office Hours:
7:30-7:55 a.m. and 3:15-3:45 p.m. (Room 311); Planning period 4th hour,
approximately 11:00-12:30 p.m.
Course Purpose:
This course is designed to prepare students for college English by
focusing on an analytical, comprehensive approach to American Literature.
Students will be prepared to discuss, react to, and critique a variety of
writings. In addition, students
will understand and develop accurate opinions by organizing, researching and
developing their thoughts into a style which best insures effective, written
communication of those ideas.
Course Objectives:
English III focuses on two primary objectives:
1. Students will learn the influence of culture and society as
related in writings from the Colonial Period through contemporary literature;
and
2. Students will be exposed to a variety of writing styles which
will help them develop individual writing skills which are fluent, concise and
successful in their communication efforts.
Course Description:
English
III (HN) is a full-year course that combines a comprehensive survey of American
Literature with a complete analysis of the writing process.
Students will read a variety of authors and genres, studying vocabulary
that emphasizes usage and meaning and will demonstrate an understanding of
readings through original writing, quizzes, group work and examinations.
In addition, students will spend four weeks learning basic Business English skills (resume writing, business letter writing, applications and interviewing), college application and letter writing skills. (See also Assignments.)
Materials: Text, pens, pencils, a file folder and a notebook (either 3-ring or spiral) are required for class. Please bring the unmarked file folder to class as soon as possible. A good dictionary and thesaurus are also strongly recommended, and a classroom set of each is available for student use.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Compositions:
Several analysis papers, reaction papers, and a variety of five-paragraph
essays will be required during the course of the year.
In addition, students in English III (HN) will write a research paper.
Failure to turn in an original, thesis-controlled and well-documented
paper on or before the due date will result in the semester failure of English
III (HN).
Quizzes:
Several quizzes will be given throughout the year.
Your instructor has the option of dropping low grades.
Vocabulary:
Up to nine vocabulary tests will be given each nine weeks. You will receive the vocabulary words and their definitions
the first day of each school week, and tests will be given on the last day of
each week.
Tests:
Objective and/or essay tests will be given following the completion of
each unit. Unless stated by the
instructor, students will have the option to take an essay test in lieu of an
objective test. However,
arrangements must be made two (2) days prior to the test if a student wishes to
take an essay test.
Notebook:
All notes, vocabulary words and special writing assignments will be kept
in a designated notebook for periodic grading.
Semester
Tests: The fall semester examination will be comprehensive in
nature; that is, it will cover the information/literature examined during the
course of the fall semester. The
examination in the spring will be all-inclusive; that is, all material covered
during the school year is subject to testing.
If this policy changes, your instructor will notify you of such changes.
Late
Papers: As a general rule, late assignments are NOT accepted for
credit. The choice to accept late
work is left to the discretion of the teacher, based on individual
circumstances.
Special
Assignments:
Several outside reading assignments will be given during the course of
the year. Your instructor will go
over these readings with you in detail later.
Participation
Points: At
the beginning of each nine weeks, each student will be given 50 participation
points. Two (2) points will be
deducted each time a student is NOT in his/her assigned seat when the bell
rings, if a student must go to the restroom during a lecture, failure to bring
required materials to class, or other actions deemed time-consuming or
disruptive by the teacher. A daily
record will be kept of participation points.
GRADING
INFORMATION:
The following scale is
used at Bishop Carroll High School:
99% - 100% = A+
91%-92% = B+
83%-84% = C+
74%-75% = D+
95%-98% = A
87%-90% = B
78%-82% = C
72%-73% = D
94%-93% = A-
85%-86% = B-
76%-75% = C-
70%-71% = D-
Below 69% = F
Grades will be based on a combination of assignments (both formal and informal), worksheets, vocabulary units, quizzes, written assignments, group presentations and tests. If you have any questions about your grade, please do not wait until the last minute to ask!! With the computerized grading system, your grades can be checked and figured in a matter of seconds!
ABSENCES:
Work missed because of
class absence will be made up on the following basis:
1. Work assigned prior to an excused absence is due on
the date of student’s return or on the due date.
2. All quizzes and tests missed must be made up by appointment
within three school days. You must
sign up in the appointment notebook in Room 311.
Failure to show up at your appointed time will result in a “0” for
that make-up work.
3. Assignments missed because of suspension (whether
in-school or out-of-school) will be given NO credit.
4. Tests missed because of in-school or out-of-school
suspension will NOT be made up.
5. Assignments/tests missed because of unexcused or
non-excused absences will be given zeroes.
In other words, students who are not in class the day of a test because
of an unexcused or non-excused absence will receive no credit for that day’s
assignment/test.
6. Assignments missed because of school activities
(athletics, play performances, concerts, etc.) must be made up prior
to the absence unless arrangements are made with your teacher
beforehand.
GENERAL RULES:
1. Come to class prepared to learn. You are expected to
be in your assigned seat when the bell rings.
This means to bring to class all the necessary materials.
There should be no need to leave the classroom once the bell has rung.
2. Budget your time.
All in-class formal writing papers are due no later than 3:20 p.m. on the
assigned day. This should prevent
the need to “rush to recopy” during class.
If a paper is due on a specific day, it will not be accepted after that
time. Do NOT put yourself in a
position where you will receive a zero on a major assignment because you did not
allow yourself enough time to recopy or finish your work. Repeatedly late papers, homework left at home or misplaced
will NOT be accepted for credit.
3. It is your responsibility to find out what the make-up
assignment is. Check with your
instructor, not with your friends in another class! In addition, you must present your admit slip prior to the
start of class, and your make-up assignment can be given to you at that time.
Failure to present an admit slip to the instructor will result in one
demerit, per school policy.
4. Tests will be made up before or after school.
Please do not plan to use class time to make up a test.
If you have a study hall, it may be possible to work out another time,
but for the most part, major tests will be administered before or after school.
5. Please become familiar with the rules for conduct at
Bishop Carroll High School found in your student handbook (agenda).
These rules will apply in this classroom and will be enforced.
6. Respect yourself, your classmates, your school, your
faculty and your staff. If you
choose not to learn, respect the rights of others in the class who choose
differently.
I
have read and understand the syllabus, and agree to abide by its contents.
X___________________________________________
Student signature
X___________________________________________
Parent signature
______________
Date
This
form will be kept on file until successful completion of English III (HN). No grades will be recorded
until this syllabus is returned.
