IB English A Literature HL
Mark Hamby –
Purpose:
At the heart of any English course is language, and at the heart of language is communication. That may sound dry and uninteresting, but communication, in a literature class like this one, does not refer to the mere transfer of facts. Literature involves the communication of...emotion, passion, feelings, humor, and all of the reality underneath those mere facts. Learning to use language more skillfully, more accurately, more subtly, more persuasively, and more entertainingly—and appreciating how others have done so—should have meaning beyond the classroom. While this course focuses on the kind of literary analysis required for IB English A Literature, another important purpose of the course is to engage with the many ways people tell stories and express themselves through literature, try to understand why humans have a literary impulse beyond the mere communication of facts, and bring that understanding of the “literary impulse” into the writing, speaking, and listening we do in our lives.
Core Belief:
This course, as I deliver it, is founded on the belief that the study of literature is its own reward. It does not lead to fame and riches, but it can lead to emotional pleasure and intellectual fulfillment, as well as helping us to appreciate human experiences that are different from our own. (And making us feel less alone in the world when we discover others feel the same as we do.)
Essential Questions & TOK Connections:
Why do humans create literature, beyond mere communication of facts? What role does literature play in people's lives? Is that role unique? What is the proper function of literature—to capture a perception of reality, to teach, to uplift, to express emotion, to create beauty, to bind a community together? Do different genres (poetry, drama, novels, etc.) have different purposes? What makes a piece of literature “good”—proper grammar and spelling, emotional depth, ability to teach a lesson? Is literary quality simply a matter of opinion, or are there qualities that make literature “good” or “bad”? Does literature gain or lose by being analyzed?
Goals:
Reinforce higher order skills in critical thinking when reading, writing, and listening. Expand your skills of literary analysis, and your ability to explore an author's approach, techniques, intentions, and style. Appreciate human experiences that are different from your own, through literature. Practice the skills and techniques necessary to achieve your greatest possible success on the IB examinations.
Assignments:
The main homework assignments in this class will be: a) reading assignments; b) long-term projects (essays/commentaries and oral presentations). There will be frequent small quizzes (reading check quizzes). Less frequently there will be major tests for each unit; usually, the major test grade will be an essay or presentation to practice for an IB assessment. The final component of your grade comes from your participation in the class and in discussions.
Course Expectations:
To maximize your success in this class: a) Keep up with the reading assignments, and pay attention to what you're reading. Have thoughts and questions, and bring them up in the analysis/discussions we'll have about the literature. b) Be organized, and bring what you'll need to class each day, including the book we're reading, paper, pen, highlighter (highly recommended in this course), an organized notebook. This is a general survival strategy to adopt as an IB student for your own balance and sanity. c) Have a willingness to share—aloud and in writing—as well as a willingness to listen respectfully to others' viewpoints and the manner in which they express them.
What You'll Need Each Day:
1) a ring notebook with lined paper, and an organized way to keep class handouts
2) black or dark blue pen(s)--pencils are optional; pens are essential; highlighters encouraged
3) an open mind
4) a willingness to try, a willingness to learn, a willingness to share
Assessment Percentages:
Your grade is determined by calculating your scores in the categories given above in “Assignments”: quizzes (numerical scores—30% of the quarter grade), tests, essays, and oral presentations (numerical scores—60% of the quarter grade * Grading papers is a very time consuming process. My rule of thumb is that I will always try to get papers graded and entered into PowerSchool by the next progress report date. This is basically a 3-week turnaround for major assignments*); discussion/participation grade (participation/discussion level—10% of the quarter grade). I can’t believe I have to address credit recovery/extra credit for this class but I do so my policy is NO CREDIT RECOVERY/EXTRA CREDIT. You will have every opportunity to complete all assigned work. Work that was not turned in on-time can be submitted for 70% of the grade.
Grading Policies:
HCDE Scores Grades are accessible at any time through the parent portal of PowerSchool. High school grades are finalized at the end of each semester (December and May). For high school courses Semester 1 and Semester 2 grades DO NOT average together for a final year-long average. The finalized grades are used to calculate a high school Grade Point Average (GPA). The grading scale is as follows: A = 93-100, B = 85-92, C = 75-84, D = 70-74, F = 0-69.
IB Scores The IB Diploma Program is an internationally recognized program that provides a rigorous pre-university course of studies, leading to examinations, designed for highly motivated secondary school students. The program is designed as a comprehensive two-year curriculum that allows its graduates to fulfill and exceed requirements of state, national and international high school graduation. Scores are earned by fulfilling specific criteria on each rubric. All internal and external assessment are combined to determine the score of 1-7 for each course. Individual colleges and universities have their own specific standards for granting credit for IB work. IB courses have five points added to each semester grade.
IB score conversion to HCDE grade scale:
7 / 6 / 5 / 4 / 3 / 2 / 196-100 / 92-95 / 85-91 / 77-84 / 74-76 / 70-73 / 0-69
Teacher expectations and procedures:
My electronic device policy is pretty easy:
Phones “Out of sight, out of mind.” Sometimes I’ll tell students to use their phones for classroom purposes, but they should not just leave them on their desks to check every Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or text notification they receive. This is a distraction they need to avoid during class time. I will take them up if needed.
Pads, Tablets, and Laptops “Use these powers for good, not evil.” I know many students take notes on these devices, but if I see a game, social media outlet, etc., on the screen, I will ask them to put it away. If it happens repeatedly, the student will lose the privilege to use the device in my classroom. There are also times I will request students bring these devices for writing and researching purposes. They are great to have; just use them responsibly.
Reading Literature “Let’s not let technology replace our humanity.” There is no need for e-readers of any type in my class. I will make paper copies of the works we read 1st semester since they are all short pieces that should be closely read and annotated. During the 2nd semester, we will study novels, and students should have their own paper copies. These texts will be used like scripts for reading and marked with annotations for close study in preparation for the Paper Two exam.
Course Content Overview:
Part Two—Detailed Study(Individual Oral Commentary—15% of IB grade) / Part Three—Genre (Novels & Short Story)
(Paper 2 Essay—25% of IB grade)
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (play)
Ulysses by James Joyce(novel)
Selected Poems of Carol Walt Whitman (poetry) / The Road/McCarthy (novel)
The Awakening/Chopin (novel)
The Great Gatsby/Fitzgerald (novel)
The Sound and the Fury/Faulkner (novel)
Course Outline:
Semester One: Part 2
August 11-12 Introduction to Class
August 15-16 Introduction: James Joyce
August 17- Sept. 16 Unit Study of Ulysses by James Joyce
Sept. 21-22 Introduction: Oscar Wilde
Sept. 21- Oct.7 Unit Study of The Importance of Being Earnest
Fall Break (Oct. 10-14)
Oct. 17- Oct. 18 Introduction: Walt Whitman
Oct. 26- Nov. 30 Unit Study of Whitman
Nov. 30-Dec. 9 IOC Prep.
Dec. 12- 15 IOC
Semester Two: Part 3
January 4-5 Introduction: Cormac McCarthy
Jan. 9- Feb. 3 Unit Study of The Road
Feb 6-7 Introduction: Kate Chopin
Feb. 8- March 3 Unit Study of The Awakening
March 6-7 Introduction: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Mar. 8- April 12 Unit Study of The Great Gatsby
Spring Break (March 20- March 24)
April 13 Introduction: William Faulkner
April 17- May 5 Unit Study of The Sound and the Fury
I have read the IB English IV, Language A: Literature syllabus and have shared it with my parent/guardian.
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