International Baccalaureate English SL Grade 12 Standard Level
2005-2006
Mrs. Caroline Stammers
Classroom: 309 • Phone: 888-569-2569 email:
Course Description
This is a course designed to provide students with extensive experience and training in the study, interpretation, and analysis of literary works. We will read a variety of translated world literature texts as well as preview American authors and poets. Students will be required to take the oral and written IB English exams as part of this course.
Course Objectives
Skills in the areas of oral presentation, formal academic writing, and critical analysis will be developed as we read and study literary texts.
Assignments and Points
Attached is a list of all the assignments and due dates for QI. You are responsible for keeping track of your scores to ensure your own personal success. You will receive a new tracking sheet every quarter.
A 94-100% A- 90-93.9%
B+ 88-89.9% B 84-87.9% B- 80-83.9%
C+ 78-79.9% C 74-77.9 C- 69.8-73.9%
D+ 68-69.9%D 64-67.9% D- 60-63.9%
F 59.9% & below
Required Texts
The Things They Carried, by Tim O’Brien
The Sorrow of War, by Bao Ninh
The House of the Spirits, Isabel Allende
Hamlet, by Shakespeare
Selected poems by Walt Whitman
Selected poems by Langston Hughes
Selected short stories by Anita Desai
The Guide, R.K. Narayan
Untouchable, Mulk Raj Anand
Art, Yazmina Reza
Other complimentary/introductory pieces
Major Assignments
Students will be given a day-by-day syllabus at the beginning of each quarter with exact due dates and assignments. Often, not turning in one major assignment results in a failing grade for the quarter. Here is a brief overview of what students in Higher Level English will complete:
- Summer Reading Project
- Complete reading of all listed texts
- Review/Final Revision of World Literature Assignment 1 (written junior year)
- Students will complete a variety of in-class and take-home commentaries and essays
- Students will participate in the 10th Annual Selected Hamlet Scenes
- Oral IB exams will take place in February (required)
- Written IB exams will take place in May (required)
- Students will conclude the year with the Humanities project
Supplies Needed
All students will need a large notebook and folder to be used ONLY for English
Pens and pencils, and a package of highlighters or colored pencils for commentary work
Find notebook/binder from 11th grade to be used as a reference during much of the year
Students should find the electronic version of their WL1 paper NOW, as it will be revisited this fall
Participation
A 25 point per quarter participation allotment is awarded, at the instructor’s discretion, and is based mostly on completion of shorter in-class and homework assignments (collected at random) and regular, prompt attendance. Contributions to discussions, leadership in group work, compliance with school rules and policies, and other positive contributions to class will also effect this grade.
Late Work
Unless there is a prior agreement with the instructor, all class work is due at the beginning of class on the scheduled due date.
assignments submitted later that day will receive an automatic 25% deduction
assignments submitted one day late will receive an automatic 50% deduction.
no assignments will be accepted more than one day late
Students who will be absent for exempt absences or foreseen reasons (family plans, meetings, field trips, etc…) must notify Mrs. Stammers beforethe absence and turn in assigned workbeforetheir absence, or the late policy applies.
Students who turn in work late due to an excused absence (illness, family emergency, etc…) must attach a signed note from home that includes the reason for absence and the parent or guardian’s daytime phone number, or the late policy applies. Mrs. Stammers always follows up with these notes!
Absence and Tardy Policies—Review Carefully
- The school policy regarding tardies, absences, and grades will be enforced. Students who miss eight days will fail. Students lose participation points for tardies and absences.
- Makeup work will not be accepted for unexcused absences. (Yes, missing class the day of an assignment will result in zero credit for that assignment, be it a major or minor assignment.)
- It is the student’s responsibility to see the instructor regarding when and how to make up missed work for excused absences—these arrangements will be made on a case-by-case basis. Class time may not be used for make-up work.
- If a student is going to miss class due to an exempt absence (school activity), s/he must discuss this absence with Mrs. Stammers the day before the activity and get assignment/work (to be turned in before class the next day). Otherwise, s/he will lose participation points just as if it was an unexcused absence and the late policy applies. Because IB students are so involved in many school activities, this rule is key so Mrs. Stammers can amend lesson plans (if need be), keep perfect track of all students’ attendance, and maintain some sanity!
- Please Note: Students who foresee missing more than one or two classes per quarter due to exempted school activities need to talk to Mrs. Stammers and make other arrangements to earn full participation points. These students should also consider being more selective about participating in activities that take them out of class.
Other Policies and Behavior Expectations
This course is structured much like a college level course to prepare you for the rigors of college English classes. Students can earn college credit (depending on the college) if they score well on their IB exams. With this in mind, dedicated, hard-working, honest students are a must! Disruptive or disrespectful behavior is not tolerated. Students will be challenged to be independent thinkers and doers, while keeping a close eye on their own progress and seeking help when necessary. ALL students are required to abide by ALL policies in their planner.
Academic Support
Mrs. Stammers is usually available before school (8:10-8:30) and all three lunches. Students can set an appointment with her as needed. Feel free to use her toll-free number before 9:00 p.m. any afternoon or evening. Clear communication and seeking help when necessary is a skill college bound students must focus on!
International Baccalaureate English Standard Level Syllabus
Class of 2006
Mrs. Caroline Stammers
Classroom: 309 • Phone: 888-569-2569 • e-mail:
Part 1: World Literature
Euripides – Medea (Ancient Greece)JUNIOR YEAR
Sophocles – Oedipus Rex (Ancient Greece)JUNIOR YEAR
Herman Hesse – Siddhartha (Germany)JUNIOR YEAR
I.B. Assessment: World Literature Papers (1000-1500 words)
Assignment #1 (comparative study of at least two Part 1 works) JUNIOR YEAR
Part 2: Detailed Study
William Shakespeare – HamletSENIOR YEAR
Walt Whitman – Selected PoemsSENIOR YEAR
Langston Hughes – Selected PoemsSENIOR YEAR
I.B. Assessment: Individual Oral CommentarySENIOR YEAR
Part 3: Groups of Works (Prose: The Novel and Short Story)
Ralph Ellison – The Invisible ManJUNIOR YEAR
Bao Ninh – The Sorrow of War (WL)SENIOR YEAR
Untouchable – Mulk Raj AnandSENIOR YEAR
The Guide -- R.K. Narayan SENIOR YEAR
I.B. Assessment: IB Exam, Paper 2SENIOR YEAR
Part 4: School’s Free Choice
Zora Neale Hurston – Their Eyes Were Watching GodJUNIOR YEAR
Chinua Achebe – Things Fall ApartJUNIOR YEAR
Isabel Allende -- The House of the Spirits (WL)SENIOR YEAR
Tim O’Brien – The Things They Carried SENIOR YEAR
I.B. Assessment: Individual Oral PresentationsJUNIOR YEAR
Rough Timeline of Texts, Units, and Assessments
September: (Vietnam)
Review of summer reading project and The Things They Carried
Read The Sorrow of War
Watch documentary, Letters Home…
Read one Achebe essay, “What Does Literature Have To Do With It?”
October: (Chile, Latin America)
Read The House of the Spirits
November: (England, Renaissance)
Begin Hamlet
Review and Revise the World Lit Paper (Examiner-ready by 12/1/05)
December: (England, Renaissance)
Read Hamlet
Students watch version of Hamlet on their own (director’s notebook assignment)
(time for comparing same scene in 3 version in class???)
January: (American Poetry, Civil war era)
Hamlet Scenes
Walt Whitman Poetry
February: (American Poetry, Harlem Renaissance & Beginning India)
Langston Hughes Poetry
Anita Desai, short story from Games at Twilight
March: (India—a look at the caste system & basic Indian history)
IB Oral Exams (first week)
Students watch Gandhi (while Stammers and Thompson out for orals!!!)
Read Untouchable
April: (India—a look at culture and Hinduism)
Read The Guide – HL ONLY
(If time, watching The Bride and the Prejudice or Monsoon Wedding would be fun!)
Exam prep
May/June:
Exam prep and Exams
Read the play Art
Complete Humanities Project and Presentations