Habersham Central High School

Honors American Literature/Composition

Habersham Central High School

Amy Tait

Kelli Wills Holland

2016-2017

Website: Access from the HCHS website

Email:

Email:

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Course Description: 11th Honors American Literature/Composition is a course that focuses on the development and themes of American Literature. Specifically, you will lookthematicallyat the history and cultural progress of America through literature conveying the perceptions and experiences of American authors and authors who impacted or were impacted by American culture.You willread critically, think analytically, and communicate clearlyin relation to theconcepts of the Georgia Standards of Excellence. The Georgia Standards of Excellence provide a consistent framework to prepare you for success in college and/or the 21st century workplace. As course requirements are more rigorous, high expectations (including homework and outside reading) will be required. Honors class students will NOT receive an additional seven (7) points on their final averages in the class, ONLY AP classes receive an additional seven (7) points on final averages.

Course Units and Anchor Texts:

Unit 1: The Burdens of our Background Text: The Crucible and The Scarlet Letter

In this unit, we will explore the cause of anxieties and fears seen throughout the history of American Literature and uncover the effects of these burdens during the time and how they still affect our society today. We will explore various themes, including multiple themes with a text, and develop our informative/explanatory writing skills.

Unit 2: The Ambiguities of War and Politics Text: The Things They Carried

In this unit, we will analyze the literature that emerges as a result of great conflict: war literature, and the political opinions that surround it. We will also study argumentative techniques, rhetorical strategies, and logical fallacies that surround war and politics. We will also write an argumentative research paper as well as a nonfiction narrative.

Unit 3: The Realities and Illusions of the American Dream Text: The Great Gatsby

In this unit, we will conduct an in-depth examination of the traditional American Dream. We will trace its origins through literature as well as discover how it has evolved overtime and what has influenced this evolution. Additional texts will include seminal U.S. documents.

Google Drive and Classroom:

You will have to check your school email account and Google Classroom regularly. We will use both Classroom and Google Drive in class. Your school email account will be used for school information and reminders, just as in business you will have to learn to manage separate accounts for home and work.

GOOGLE DRIVE: Go to habershamschools.com. Scroll down the menu on the left to “Google Drive for Students.” There is a symbol at the top of the page that will open Classroom.

Username: ______Password: ______

() (firstinitiallastinitiallunch#)

EXAMPLE: Username: Password: JC201234

General Classroom Policies:

·  All students should be prepared for class, on time and with materials.

·  Respect should always be shown to teacher and classmates.

·  No electronic devices are permitted during instructional time.

·  Instructional time is bell to bell.

·  The school tardy and attendance policies will be enforced.

·  Make-up work must be completed within 3 DAYS of an excused absence.

·  Late work will be penalized (-11 points).

·  Homework assignments will be due at the beginning of the next class meeting unless otherwise noted. Reading quizzes are always possible.

·  Any attempt at cheating, copying, or plagiarism will result in automatic zeroes and the assignments cannot be made up.

Grading Policy:

40% FORMATIVES: These include assignments given overnight to introduce, reflect, practice, or

review based on the daily lessons. Quizzes and longer, more complex assignments that help

you practice multiple skills may be weighted more.

40% SUMMATIVES: These are major projects, essays, tests, etc. that provide a “summary” of what

you have learned or mastered

20% EOC: Georgia Milestones measures how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.

Materials:

·  1 ½” binder

·  Loose-leaf paper

·  Pack of subject dividers

·  Blue or black pens

·  Pencils

·  One 5-pack of highlighters

·  One spiral or composition notebook

·  STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: flash drive and a pair of earbuds/headphones

I have read the course syllabus for 11th Grade Honors English and understand the basic course contents, grading procedures, and course requirements.

______Student Print name

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Student Print signature Date

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Parent/Guardian Print name

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Parent/Guardian signature Date

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Parent/Guardian Best Contact (phone and email)

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