Ninth Grade English

Monster Theory in British Literature 2016-2017

“What do monsters reveal about human nature?”

Class Disclosure Mr. Johnson (Room 411) Woods Cross High School Email: [email protected]

“Good zombie (monster) movies show us how messed up we are, they make us question our station in society... and our society's station in the world. They show us gore and violence and all that cool stuff too... But there's always an undercurrent of social commentary and thoughtfulness” (Kirkman).

Dear Student (Parents):

Please read this letter concerning the twelfth grade English curriculum. Do not discard this sheet. It will be to your benefit if kept in your student binder for further reference.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: In compliance with state and district DESK standards, students will improve mastery in: 1. Reading: Fiction, Drama, Poetry, and Informational Texts a. using key ideas, textual evidence, themes, summaries b. point of view, structure, diction, tone, compare and contrasting texts 2. Writing a. argument, narrative, production and distribution, research, and informative 3. Speaking & Listening a. presentation, comprehension, and collaboration 4. Language a. vocabulary acquisition, grammar, usage, mechanics, and spelling For a complete copy of district DESK standards use the following link: http://www.davis.k12.ut.us/Page/50617 Course Description: · This course provides students a survey of British literature, chronologically divided into historical literary periods, beginning with the Anglo-Saxons and ending with the modern era. Emphasis is placed on the development of critical and analytical thinking skills through discussion and frequent writing. In addition to shorter pieces, students will read two longer works: a Shakespearean play and a novel of literary significance. · This course for this year will focus on Monster Theory. Students will analyze much of the literature in the context of discovering how and what monsters in stories and myths reveal about society and humanity. This will lead to discussions of why literature uses monsters and why human stories almost always contain monsters, as well as the reasoning for change in definition of what makes a monster. As Joseph Campbell states, “Whether you call someone a hero or a monster is all relative to where the focus of your consciousness may be.” · Texts for this course will include prose and poetic genres, and were chosen because they are complex and challenging. This means they tend to make use of ambiguous language and literary devices; contain context-dependent vocabulary; include embedded, not explicit, messages and/or meanings; and present difficult concepts requiring independent and inferential thinking.

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR CLASS:

REQUIRED for daily class work will be a three-ring binder with an adequate supply of paper as well as a pen and pencil. Also, a fiction/non-fiction book, chosen by you (the student), is required for daily silent reading. Most importantly, a positive attitude is REQUIRED for daily success.

CLASS EXPECTATIONS: 1. Respect self, others, and property 2. Be prepared everyday with the supplies listed above 3. Be in seat and ON TASK before the tardy bell rings 4. ELECTRONIC DEVICES: NO Electronic devices are to be used in class unless I give permission. See pages 13-14 of school policies and procedures (planner).

ATTENDANCE AND MAKE-UP WORK: 1. Long term assignments that are given weeks in advance may be handed in ANY TIME BEFORE THE DUE DATE. 2. If students are excused for school functions, class officer duties, cheerleading, team sports, etc., they are required to be prepared for the next day. Students must get the assignment before school in the morning, when they return at the end of the day, or make arrangements with the teacher sometime before the excused absence. 3. If a student is absent due to illness or other unforeseen reasons, he/she has as many days to make up the work as days absent. It is in the student's best interest to be responsible for making arrangements with the teacher so work is not missed and the student doesn't fall behind. 4. Students may re-work any of the assignments that are not late. Learning is a constant process—it does not stop because we have moved to a different project. If a student is willing to re-work an assignment in order to achieve mastery—the assignment will be re-graded. Students will have ONE WEEK to re-work assignments. TEXTBOOK/ OTHER LITERATURE: The textbook for this class is Houghton, Mifflin, and Harcourt’s Collections. Other works may include but are not limited to: Pygmalion, Frankenstein, 1984, Dracula, Macbeth, Hamlet, The Stranger, Tess of the D’Urbervilles, Brave New World, Candide, , The Picture of Dorian Gray, Beowulf, Modest Proposal

ASSIGNMENTS/HOMEWORK: Assignments and homework will be used to assess progress towards the DESK standards. All assignments and homework will have due dates. Failure to turn them in on time can affect your CITIZENSHIP and ACADEMIC grade.

EXTRA CREDIT: There will be very few opportunities for extra credit in this class. Students must show mastery of the content objectives—not complete supplemental point fillers (extra credit). The policies on late work and re-work allow ample opportunity to receive points—as well as justify mastery.

**CITIZENSHIP: ** PLEASE pay special attention to this section. My citizenship policies are very similar and yet very different from other teachers. In this class we strive to have ACADEMIC achievement separate from CITIZENSHIP issues; however, certain behaviors can affect both your citizenship and academic grades. You (Students) will be awarded 100 points each term. My expectation is that all my students are honorable citizens in a classroom. Positive behavior/actions will allow students to maintain or increase points. Negative behavior/actions will take points away from the beginning 100 points. Citizenship may fluctuate. Examples of positive and negative behaviors/actions and point values are below.

**LATE WORK** — up to one week late (citizenship point deduction-see below) — up to two weeks late (-25% from total score) — work older than two weeks (-50% from total score)

Positive (Preapproved): Negative: Peer Tutoring = 10 PTS Tardy (Each Time) = -10 PTS Community Service = 10 PTS LATE assignments (Each Time) = -10 PTS Class disruptions (Each time) = -10 PTS Removed from class = -20 PTS Cheating = Automatic U

CITIZENSHIP SCALE: H= 90 to 100 PTS S = 80 to 89 PTS N = 70 to 79PTS U= 69 or below

BOOK REVIEWS/READING LOGS Students will be required to review and present one book of their choice per term. A rubric of scoring both the review and presentation will be provided. Each review must be accompanied by a daily reading log. MULTI=PASSES: Students will be given two multi-passes that can be used as a hall pass, late coupon or to excuse a tardy. If you use a pass to excuse a tardy, the pass must be given to me on the day of the tardy. Unused passes can be used at the end of the term for 10 bonus points if there is no missing work.

GRADING: GRADES will be determined in several areas: daily class work and homework, unit tests and quizzes, major assignments (papers), and book reviews. Grading Scale: A 93-100% C 73-76 A- 90-92 C- 70-72 B+ 87-89 D+ 67-69 B 83-86 D 63-66 B- 80-82 D- 62-60 C+ 77-79 F 60-0

 Tests/Quizzes/Assignments 80%  Reading Log/Book Review 20%

If there are special concerns for health, hearing, vision, etc., please let me know as soon as possible.

Sincerely, Mr. Johnson