11th Grade World Literature Syllabus

Welcome to English 11, World Literature. In this course we will read a variety of literature, both fiction and non-fiction, from many different cultures. Through a study of philosophy and literature, we will explore how perspective affects the experience of literature as well as how we see and interpret the world.

Skills

Writing – You will focus on writing both formally and informally. You will work on creating skillful, structurally sound essays using advanced critical thinking skills as well as rhetorical strategies.

Reading – Close, critical reading is a primary focus of the class. You will analyze both fiction and non-fiction pieces in depth.

Speaking – You will compose and present speeches for a variety of purposes increasing both skill and finesse.

Research – You will advance your research skills paying particular attention to scholarly research and source evaluation.

Thinking/Reasoning – You will work to make connections between the literature we read with literature you’ve read in the past as well as with your personal experiences. You will work to present reasoned and convincing arguments.

Opportunities

Formal Writing and Presentation (35% of total grade) You will have a number of opportunities to present your work in both oral and written modes. You will be responsible for all aspects of these assignments, including process and final product. This may include pre-writing, drafting, revision and peer review.

To receive credit, essays must be submitted to by the end of the school day on which the assignment is due in order to receive credit. If the paper is NOT submitted within this time period, NO CREDIT will be given for the assignment.

Homework (35% of total grade) Most, but not all, homework will be collected and graded.

Tests and Quizzes (30% of total grade) Tests or quizzes may cover anything discussed in class or assigned as homework.

*Grade updates may be accessed via student portal or parent portal. Reports provided upon request.

Grading Scale

93 – 100%A

90 – 92%A-

87 – 89%B+

83 – 86%B

80 – 82%B-

77-79%C+

73 – 76%C

70 – 72%C-

67 – 69%D+

63 – 66%D

60 – 62%D-

0 – 59%F

Teacher Contact Information

Please feel free to contact your student’s teacher either by email or phone. Please note, email contact can often be the most efficient way to reach us.

TeacherEmail AddressPhone

Julie 651-403-7258

Dan 651-403-7233

Kelly 651-403-7301

Amy Van 651-403-7119

Expectations

JUST DO IT! This is one hour of your day. Please come to class ready to greet the day’s activities with an open mind. Do the assigned work and get it completed on time.

LATE WORK! If you are absent from school the day an assignment is due, you are expected to turn it in on the day you return.

You have the opportunity to use late coupons for two assignments per semester. No other late work will be accepted. Coupons will be issued at the beginning of the semester and lost coupons will not be replaced.

  • Not all assignments will be eligible for a late pass.
  • Formal writing is done over a period of time with in-class processing time; therefore, essays turned in with a late pass will also receive a 50% reduction after the essay has been assessed.

An unexcused absence will result in the loss of credit for work missed.

WHO’S RESPONSIBLE? YOU’RE RESPONSIBLE! If you are absent it is YOUR responsibility to see me, but not while I am conducting class. I will be happy to discuss this with you at length before or after school. It is not my responsibility to make sure you have turned in everything or checked on missing work: That is YOUR job. Extra copies of handouts are available in the classroom. A monthly calendar or reading schedule is available for your reference for each unit. Progress can be monitored online via parent and/or student portal.

BE RESPECTFUL! Each person in the room deserves to feel valued and supported by the others. We will get to know one another…by name! Making fun of others, rude behavior, or any negative vibes in this classroom are unacceptable. Please respect me, yourself and everyone else in the room.

COME PREPARED! You need paper (notebook), a three-ring binder, pen or pencil, daily planner and your text. A highlighter is recommended.

WHAT NOT TO BRING: jackets, hats, cell phones, headsets, a bad attitude.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY HAS SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. Academic dishonesty is defined in the student handbook as follows: “Any act violating the rights of another in academic work or that involves misrepresentation of a student’s work. Scholastic dishonesty includes (but is not limited to) cheating on assignments and examinations; plagiarism, which means misrepresenting as one’s own work that which has been done by another; submitting the same or substantially similar papers for more than one course without the consent of all instructors concerned; depriving another of necessary course materials; or sabotaging another’s work (CLA: University of Minnesota).”

The consequences, also noted in the student handbook, are as follows: The first offense in a course results in a grade of zero for the assignment, referral to the office, and parent notification. The second offense in a course will result in a zero for the course for the semester and consequent loss of credit, referral to the office, and parent notification. Plagiarism is the taking of any ideas or wording of someone else and passing them off as your own.

11th Grade World Literature Parent Information Sheet

Sign below if you have read and understand the policies, course content, and syllabus for the 11th Grade World Literature course.

Student (Print Name):______

Student Signature:______

Parent/Guardian (Print Name):______

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______

Contact Information

Parent/Guardian email address(es) ______

Parent Phone:______

If available, an alternative where you can be reached: ______

When we talk together, will you need an interpreter? If so, what language?

Information of Note

Is there any special information you would like me to know about your student?