|
Course
Syllabus, 2009-2010
Course Title:
English III
Instructor:
Mrs. Celia McDuff
Extension: 539
email: mcduffcelia@bcchs.org
Course Text:
Literature: The American
Experience. Prentice Hall, 1996.
Office Hours:
7:30-7:50 a.m. and 3:15-3:45 p.m. (Room 303)
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 two-semester 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 to selected materials from the text, students will read from
the following list of novels and plays:
The Crucible
A Raisin in the Sun
The Great Gatsby
Death of a Salesman
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
(Other novels
and book reports assigned by
Death of a Salesman
the teacher)
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, black or standard blue ink pens, 80-page spiral notebook a
3-ring notebook with dividers are required for class.
A good dictionary and thesaurus are also strongly recommended, and a
classroom set of each is available for student use.
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 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.
Quizzes:
Frequent quizzes will be given throughout the year.
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.
Notebook:
All notes, vocabulary words and special writing assignments will be kept
in a designated notebook for periodic grading. Dividers should be labled as
follows: Class Handouts, Vocabulary, Notes, Writing, and Returned Assignments.
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:
Late assignments or partially-completed homework are NOT accepted for
credit.
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 two
school days. You must sign up in the appointment notebook in Room 303. 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.
CHEATING:
Cheating is a serious issue and will not be tolerated. The act of
cheating will be determined by the instructor and any assignment or test will
receive a zero. Students may be referred to the administration, and the
counseling office will be informed of the problem. Notation of the cheating
problem will be made in student file.
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. 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
5.
Please become familiar with the rules for conduct at Bishop Carroll
High School found in your student handbook (agenda).
hese 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.
TEACHER’S PHILOSOPHY:
Every
job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with
excellence.
Student
Signature _____________________________________________
Date ________________
Parent
Signature ______________________________________________
Date ________________
|
