AP® English Literature and Composition

Instructor: Pam Sutherland

Contact Information:

(281) 577-5900 x5651

Schedule:

2nd (A Day) 9:20-1120 AM and 10th 2:20-3:50 PM (B Day) Conference

I. Course Description

AP English IV focuses predominately on a wide exposure to literature and writing skills in order to prepare students to be successful in college. This is an honors class for all students to meet the graduation requirements for a high school diploma and possibly earn college credit in English. Students are expected to have successfully completed AP English III or equivalent. The curriculum that is mandated by the State of Texas recommends that students be introduced to both British and world literature, improve their writing and reading skills, develop competence in research and essay writing, and enhance and sharpen their critical thinking abilities.

Textbooks

The textbook that is in current use is titled: Holt McDougal Literature: British Literature. Each desk in the classroom will have a textbook for students to use during class time. It is recommended that students ask their Assistant Principal or the librarian to check out a textbook from the book room for home use. All students are responsible for their textbook, and if a book is lost or damaged, they will be required to pay for it. I will also rely heavily on texts from anthologies, mainly Perrine’s Literature. If I do not have enough copies, I will provide photocopies for the students, upload copies to my website, or expect students to find them online.

Other materials and supplies

Students must bring paper and pens or pencils everyday to class in order to take notes. Each day in class, students will read stories, poems, and/or prose, practice analytical questions, or write essays.

II. Course Goals

The student will know and apply the conventions of the English language, develop his/her reading and critical thinking skills, demonstrate his/her proficiency in research skills, analyze culturally diverse texts, acquire and expand his/her vocabulary, and apply logical analysis to all types of texts. At the end of the school year, students should earn a qualifying score on the AP English Literature and Composition Exam.

III. Instructional Philosophy

It is important to realize that all teachers and parents are partners in education. Student scores are posted immediately after grading in Teams, and progress reports are issued at the third and sixth week of each grading period. Students will receive a report card at the end of the nine-week grading period. Students and parents are welcome to contact me at any time regarding progress. Tutoring is available. The goal for my class is for every student to succeed and earn college credit.

An English teacher’s primary duty is to help students develop their abilities to become productive citizens who will think and communicate effectively. Homework for English IV consists primarily of reading and preparing for exams, but AP students also must work on some outside projects and presentations. Many assignments will be completed outside of class time, as class time is a time to refine and educate. Essays will be kept in a portfolio in my room.

IV. Course Outline

We will begin with Boot Camp, where students are introduced to the main five elements of literary analysis. The Perrine anthology will be used for most of this. Other works will be introduced, with the goal of covering 16th Century – 21st Century selections. In addition, students are introduced to Shakespeare and read the play Macbeth. Writing assignments, effective sentences, and grammar are emphasized throughout the semester.

V. Grading

Daily grades will count 40% of the nine weeks average, and test grades will be the remaining 60% of the nine weeks average. Semester exams will count for 10% of the semester grade. Students are required to earn a minimum grade of 70 per semester in order to receive credit for the course. However, AP students should maintain an 80 average. If an AP student has lower than a 75 average, he/she may be removed from the class and transferred to level English IV.

VI. Expectations

AP students will be required to write scholarly papers and engage in higher level thinking skills when analyzing and evaluating literature. This prepares students to write college level papers and engage in critical discussion about various subjects.

The PHS tardy policy will be enforced in this classroom. Electronic devices will be used at my discretion.

Parents: please read the above information and email me if you have any questions or agree to the terms set above.