Semester (Half-Year) Course

COURSE OVERVIEW

ENGLISH 12

semester (half-year) course

Revised 2/2010

This semester course is designed to prepare students for post-secondary education and to support competence in writing and reading skills, including basic literary analysis. Critical thinking will be developed to ensure comprehension, application, and interpretation of key concepts. Literature selections emphasize world authors. A required Shakespearean text will be supplemented with a minimum of two novels, plays, or a short story unit. Students will continue to study vocabulary and to review grammar, usage, and conventions.

I. Literature (minimum 3 works required)

A. Required Unit - Macbeth or Hamlet

B.  Optional Units (choose minimum of two)

·  Lord of the Flies

·  Tex

·  Short stories - minimum 3, world literature (see approved department list in L: drive)

·  Oedipus the King

·  Elephant Man

·  Slaughterhouse Five

·  Anthem

·  Existential literature (choose one)

Ø  The Stranger

Ø  No Exit

Ø  The Metamorphosis

Ø  Waiting For Godot

II. Vocabulary

A. Sadlier level G, units 1-8 only

B. Percentage of Grade - 20-25% per marking period

C. Department-wide standardized tests must be used

III. Writing

A. Researched Essay (1 required), 25% of marking period grade

·  non-literary analysis

·  minimum 3 pages

·  minimum of 3 sources

B.  Personal/Narrative or college essay (1 required)

C.  Choose two (2) of the following

·  Reflective

·  Résumé

·  Cover letter

·  Short answer topics

·  Writing contests

IV. Grammar, Usage, and Conventions – review of mastery skills specified by Vertical Team document and assessed by final exam

V. Films

A. R-rated Films

·  Macbeth (Polanski) (R) requires district-approved parent permission slip

·  Scotland, PA (R) requires district-approved parent permission slip

·  Garden State (R) requires district-approved parent permission slip

·  Waking Life (R) requires district-approved parent permission slip

B. Teacher discretion used for related non R-rated films

·  Throne of Blood

VI. Assessment

A.  Portfolio -- mandatory

B.  Vocabulary tests

C.  Objective tests

D.  Short answer tests

E.  Blue book essays

F.  Out-of-class essays

G.  Oral presentation (group or individual)

H.  Conferencing (teacher or peer)

I.  Final Exam

Re-aligned and revised by Council Rock High School English Department members 2/10: Johns, Miller Hosey, Storch, Walsh, Winski, Wysocki