IB/AP English 12
2011-2012 Course Syllabus and Policies
Instructor: Ms. Anderson, Mrs. Sheble & Mr. Sapakie
Room: 203, 104 & 102
Email address:
Webpage:
Click on the teacher name listed in the Faculty tab.
Introduction
Welcome to IB/AP English 12, a rigorous and challenging course taught on a college level, designed to develop your writing and literary analysis skills. In this class, you will learn that writing is a craft, something more than function and formula. My primary goal is to create analytical readers who can not only grasp basic plot, but who can also dissect a piece of literature for form, function, and meaning. In turn, you will learn to support and defend your analysis in the form of college-level writing.
Your Goals and Objectives
It is expected that every student in the class will take either the AP Literature, IB HL exams or complete the dual credit requirements.
If you’re electing to take an advanced English class it is assumed that you have fairly well mastered specifics of the AIMS 6-point rubric and already understand and use standard English grammar. This course will instruct you on how to move beyond the pragmatic responses of the AIMS 6-point rubric and the five-paragraph essay. Although such approaches afford minimal organization, they often encourage unnecessary repetition. Students in this class will be encouraged to place emphasis on content, purpose, and audience to focus your organization. The focus of the course is on literary analysis. You will be expected to read widely and reflect on the reading through extensive discussion, analysis, writing, and rewriting.
Upon completion of this course you should know:
- A wide-ranging, college-level vocabulary used appropriately and effectively;
- A variety of sentence structures, including appropriate use of subordination and coordination;
- How to use logical organization, enhanced by specific illustrative detail;
- How to apply effective use of rhetoric, including controlling tone, establishing and maintaining voice, and achieving appropriate emphasis through diction and sentence structure;
- How to use, analyze and interpret samples of good writing, identifying and explaining an author’s use of rhetorical strategies and techniques;
- How to use create and sustain arguments based on readings, research, and/or personal experience;
- How to use write in a variety of genres and contexts, both formal and informal, employing appropriate conventions; and
- How to write rhetorical contexts, including circumstances, purpose, topic, audience, and writer, as well as the writing’s ethical, political, and cultural implications;
- How to use appropriate conventions in writing, including consistent voice, tone, diction, grammar, and mechanics;
- How to use feedback obtained through peer review, instructor comments, and/or other sources to revise writing;
- How to assess one’s own writing strengths and identify strategies for improvement through instructor conference, portfolio review, written evaluation, and/or other methods;
- How to generate, format, and edit writing using appropriate technologies;
- How to move effectively through the stages of the writing process, with careful attention to inquiry and research, drafting, revising, editing, and review.
Required:
- An email address (these are free; have one by Friday)
- Pens (Blue or Black). Red pens are allowed for revision and editing purposes only.
- Highlighters (pink, yellow, and green) for annotation and close reading.
Course Outline
This outline is a general “map” of where we’ll be going, what we’ll be studying and the approximate time frames. While major assignments are listed here, we may deviate from this outline.
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Fall Semester
- How to Read Literature Like Professor
- Literature history cards
- Vocabulary focusing on roots and etymology
- Review of literary terminology
Weeks 1-2: Summer literature analysis
- Siddhartha **
- Review the syllabus and discuss
cheating, plagiarism and the final exam policy
Week 3:Who are you?
- True Colors
- College essays
Weeks 4-5: Literary Elements
- Short story analysis
Weeks 6-7: Greek Tragedy
- Oedipus **
- Antigone **
Week 8: Epic Poetry
- The Inferno
Weeks 9-10: Communication and assessment
- Comp books and timed writing
assignments
- How to Read Literature Like a Professor application and presentation
Intersession
- Independent reading from AP list
Week 11: Intersession novel
- Timed writing
- Assessment
Week 12-14: Realism in the Theater
- Literary Criticism
- A Doll’s House **
- Trifles**
Week 15: Philosophy
- Existentialism
- The Metamorphosis**
- Hunger Artist
Weeks 16-17: Meaninglessness of Life
- The Stranger**
- The Myth of Sisyphus
- Comp book assignments
Week 18-19: Classical & World Poetry
Intersession
- Independent reading from AP list
Spring Semester
- How to Read Literature Like a Professor
- Test prep
Week 1: Intersession novel
- Timed writing
- Assessment
- IB Written Assignment Due: Stranger, Antigone & Doll House
Weeks 2-6: Shakespeare
- Hamlet**
- Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead**
- Bouquets
- Soliloquies
Weeks 7-8: John Donne
- Metaphysical poetry**
Week 9: Tennessee Williams and Oral Commentary
- IB Oral Commentary
- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
- Composition assignments
Intersession
- Independent reading from AP list
Weeks 11- 16:Test Prep
- Poetry prep
- Prose prep
- Free response essays
Weeks 17-18: Closure
- Senior speeches, letters home
- Literary bake-off, quotes project
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Cheating and Plagiarism
We will discuss cheating the first week of class. I will define it for you clearly, but suffice it to say that it will not be tolerated in any form, particularly plagiarism.
Consequences: You will receive an F for the assignment and your parents and administrator will be notified through a referral.You may be removed from the course permanently. Do not expect me to write you a letter of recommendation for college, and do not expect me to lie to a college recruiter if contacted. I will tell them the truth.
Some examples of cheating and plagiarism include, but are not limited to:
Copying the answers from anther student’s paper
Turning in the same essay for an assignment
Presenting the work from another student, including a previous year’s student, as your own
Using an electronic device to access online resources during or before a timed writing – yes, stupid kids have done this and we catch them!
Submitting false documents (assignments for other classes) to turnitin.com
Grading
Grades will figure on a point basis and breakdown as such:
The final exam will count for 20% of the final semester grade (see AP/IB Test section). Every student will take the final exam – I am preparing you for college, among other things – and exemption status will be determined after. If you are able to exempt from the final exam you will be able to choose whether or not to count it into your grade. An exempt grade will not lower as a result of the final exam.
This is the AP rubric score to point value conversion we will use for the majority of the year:
Rubric scorePoint value
950
8 48
742-44
640-41
537-39
435-36
333-34
225
125
Classroom management/ Basic Rules
- Get to class to time. No excuses
- It is extremely important for you to attend EVERY DAY. This includes being prepared.
- We will use all of our class time; do not pack up early.
- Talking occurs only in reference to the current lecture, discussion, or group work. Silent work periods are just that –silent.
- Passes will be limited.
- Do not use profanity in this class or even think about cheating.
- Each student is responsible for his or her desk and desk area.
- I reserve the right to move your assigned seat at anytime, and I am known for doing so.
Late Work
NO. None. Nada. Forget about it! Assignments are due when they are due. You will have an appropriate window of time to complete and revise major papers. Procrastination results in “the excuse”, i.e., “my printer is out of ink”. I am not running a copy/printer service, and I will not print your papers-utilize the computer labs or the library. Having said this, I reserve the right to consider evaluating circumstances for late work. The key is to communicate with me. Smaller assignments, such as homework and sets, cannot be turned in late, except for excused absences.
It is your responsibility to remember to turn in work upon your return to school – I will not remember to ask you. If you do not turn in the work the day you return, it will be accepted at the teacher’s discretion.
Absences
Excused absences: You have as many days to make up work for an excused absence as days missed. However, if you are aware of an upcoming deadline and you leave for a school sponsored activity, you will still be expected to have your work ready the day it was originally due. You know what work is due before you leave for athletic and club events.
Unexcused absences: Unexcused work will receive no credit. At my discretion larger assignments can be made up for partial credit depending on the circumstances. Unresolved absences (ones not called in) are considered unexcused. .
Absences and missing work will be your worst enemy! Zeros affect your grade tremendously, and your chances of getting an A are drastically limited.
The deadline to make up a timed writing is 2 school days only. If the timed writing assignment is not made up within this deadline timeframe, the grade will become a zero.
Turnitin.com
All your comp and formal writing assignments are required to be turned in to turnitin.com, regardless of your attendance in class on the day the papers are due. They will be other assignments you must turn in to the wonderful plagiarism website, and I will occasionally have discussions for your to participte in online. Any formal paper not turned in to turnitin.com will receive a zero until it is submitted to the site.
Formatting Papers
All word-processed papers and assignments will be formatted with standard MLA headings. Also, create a template from which to format all your papers and homework assignments. I will supply a sample formatted paper the first week of school. You may only use Arial or Times New Roman font. Please use 12pt only and make sure you double-space.
Advice for Success
The AP/IB Exam… Take it! Aka The Final Exam Policy
The cumulative objective for this class IS to take the AP or IB exam in May. Colleges expect to see this on your transcript regardless of their college credit policies - failure to take the exam is looked upon as a weakness by admissions offices. A grade of 3 or better on the exam (out of 5) might insure English credit at the school of your choice. Some schools (Arizona universities included) require a grade of 4 or better for credit. Any student taking the AP Lit or IB English HL test in the spring semester will be exempt from the final, but may take it and choose whether to “count” it toward her/his grade. Tax credit may be used toward testing fees.
NOTICE: A PRACTICE SESSION FOR THE AP AND IB TEST TAKERS ONLY IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2012. STUDENTS ATTENDING THE ENTIRE SESSION AND COMPLETING THE ENTIRE EXAM IN GOOD FAITH WILL EARN A 95% FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER FINAL EXAM GRADE. NO ALTERNATIVE DATES WILL BE PLANNED – STUDENTS WHO CANNOT ATTEND ON THIS DAY WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO MAKE UP THE PRACTICE EXAM.
Buy your Books
You are encouraged to purchase copies of all novels for this class. If you purchase your own books you can take notes in them and highlight important passages. This will aid you in the literature aspect of this course. If you show me annotated copies of your novels at the end of each quarter you will be rewarded. Please note that no student is required to purchases these books, and we will have copies for anyone who does not purchase their own copies.
What if I don’t do my work?
Any student is permitted to register for IB/AP English 12, but it takes a hard working intelligent student to do well in this course. I will assume you are all brilliant students, but if someone proves me wrong by maintaining below a “C” average, you will be removed from this course.
IB/AP English 12
2011-2012 Course Syllabus and Policies
Instructor: Ms. Anderson, Mrs. Sheble & Mr. Sapakie
STUDENT/PARENT SYLLABUS ACKNOWLEDGMENT FORM
Student name: ______
Parent name: ______
By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the AP/IB English 12 Syllabus policies, including the final exam policy. I also understand that the expectation of enrolling and attending this class is that I will take either the AP or IB HL test.
Student signature: ______
Parent signature: ______
Date: ______
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