TITLES:

Bronte, Emily. Wuthering Heights. New York: Dover Thrift, 1996.

Ba, Mariama. So Long a Letter. Trans. Modupe Bode-Thomas. New Hampshire: Reed, 1989.

Beowulf. Trans. Burton Raffel. New York: Signet Classic, 1999.

Camus, Albert. The Stranger. Trans. Matthew Ward. New York: Random, 1989.

Chaucer, Geoffery. The Canterbury Tales. (selected tales)

Chedid, Andree. From Sleep Unbound. Trans. Sharon Spencer. Athens: Shallow Press, 1983.

Gardner, John. Grendel. New York: Random House, Inc., 1989.

Kawabata, Yasunari. Thousand Cranes. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker. New York: First Vintage International, 1996.

Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth

--- . Hamlet

*Additional IB texts from the Prescribed World Booklist are self selected for the research activity

*Titles may be added or deleted at teacher’s discretion and as needed to meet IB guidelines

CLASS REQUIREMENTS

I consider the following class requirements an important part of your overall participation in this class, and I will frequently and randomly check for the following:

* A three-ring binder with several divisions, including an up-to-date writer’s log

* SAT Vocabulary flashcards (up-to-date and appropriately formatted)

* Consistent, active, and independent reading of all assigned texts.

*Active participation in all classroom activities including whole and small group discussion

*All students enrolled in Language A1 (IB English 11) should adhere to the guidelines and assessments set forth by the International Baccalaureate Program. A few of these assignments include:

  • Formal Oral Presentation
  • World Literature Comparative Analysis
  • World Literature Creative Assignment

CLASS POLICIES and NOTES

*In order to receive credit for a writing assignment, each writing assignment must be submitted to turnitin.com no later than one week past the due date. If the one-week deadline is not met, a zero will be issued.

*I consistently use Schoolpointe to electronically communicate/post handouts, assignments or any other relevant classroom materials. Frequently, you will be asked to print at home and bring the handout to class.

*You should check Schoolpointe daily, even if you are present during school.

*If you miss class/es, it is the student’s sole responsibility to keep track of any missed work and to schedule makeup work in a timely manner. If you miss class, please see Schoolpointe or email me to check on what you missed:

*There is no credit for late work; however, each student is given one “GracePass” per semester. This pass allows you to submit an assignment one week late if there is an emergency. The grace pass is not to be used simply because you feel like it; it should be used wisely and with the approval of the teacher. This pass does not include: homework, in-class work, oral presentations, or the research paper. Remember, the grace pass is a privilege. If you abuse it, you may lose it.

*If you are present the day an assignment is announced, but absent the day it is due, you must submit work upon return. All makeup work should be labeled and placed directly in the makeup folder on the teacher’s desk.

*The following parameters are derived from the SAT Writing Rubric and will be consistently used to judge the quality of your writing:

6OUTSTANDING

5 EFFECTIVE

4COMPETENT

3LACKING

1-2SUBSTANDARD

*For classroom and/or homework assignments, the following guidelines will be used to judge your work:

Outstanding: represents your best effort

Competent: represents good ideas, but does not reflect your best effort

Lacking: represents work done hastily

*The final research paper is completed third nine weeks, but relies heavily on the books you read during first and second quarters. I expect you to thoroughly read each of your self-selected works, visit surrounding libraries, and conduct secondary research in a prompt, timely manner. Do not procrastinate for this project! I know it is easy to put things off when the due date is so far away, but avoid falling into this trap by pacing yourself and staying dedicated. This is also great practice for the types of assignments you will experience in college.

*Regardless of the type of reading or writing being studied, we will approach it through a formal lens. What does this mean? Formalism is a theory of literary criticism which focuses on how authors create meaning through literary aspects. I expect you to consistently analyze ‘how’ meaning is created within a literary work. I also expect you to ask questions such as, So what? What does this remind me of? Do I see this in my everyday life?

GRADING POLICY

Your final grade in this class is a result of various activities and assessments including but not limited to the following: essays, homework, unit tests, reader response journals, speeches, participation, etc…

A = 90

B = 80-89

C = 70-79

D = 60-69

F = 59 and below

I have read the IB, Language A1 syllabus and agree to support the class requirements and policies.

______

(student signature)

I have read the Language A1 syllabus and agree to support my child in adhering to the class requirements and policies.

______

(signature of parent or legal guardian)

COURSE OUTLINE

I.SEMESTER ONE:

A.First Nine Weeks

Thematic Link: Isolation, Loyalty

  1. Beowulf

2. Grendel

  1. Self Selected text thematically linked
  2. Self Selected primary text for Research Assignment
  1. Second Nine Weeks

Thematic Link: Alienation, Revenge

  1. The Canterbury Tales (selected tales)
  2. Wuthering Heights
  3. Macbeth and Hamlet
  4. Self Selected text thematically linked
  5. Secondary research for Research Assignment

IB ASSESSMENT: ORAL PRESENTATION (internally assessed)

  1. SEMESTER TWO: WORLD LITERATURE FOCUS
  2. First Nine Weeks

Thematic Link:Isolation, The Absurd, Forgiveness, Regret

1. Hamlet

2.The Stranger

3.Thousand Cranes

4. Self Selected text thematically linked

5. Final Research Assignment completed

  1. Second Nine Weeks

Thematic Link:Coping with conflict, Isolation, Hope

  1. So Long a Letter
  2. From Sleep Unbound
  3. Self Selected text thematically linked

IB ASSESSMENTS:WORLD LITERATURE COMPARATIVE ESSAY

WORLD LITERATURE CREATIVE 2B

Note:

Because young adults want to read texts that are relevant to their lives, self selection of texts linked thematically to the curriculum is an important part of this class. Each nine weeks, students are required to independently read one-two self selected texts in addition to major literary works studied in class.

In order to support your child through this process, please assume a vested interest in what she or he chooses to read throughout the school year. All self-selected texts should be previewed and discussed to ensure an appropriate choice.

I have read the Language A1 syllabus and agree to support the class requirements and policies.

______

(student signature)

I have read the Language A1 syllabus and agree to support my child in adhering to the class requirements and policies.

______

(signature of parent or legal guardian)