AP Senior English Literature/Composition Syllabus

J. Angert AP Literature Syllabus

AP Senior English Literature/Composition Syllabus Skinny 2013-14

General Course Description : Advanced Placement Literature and Composition is a college-level course that focuses on the reading and analysis of literary works and the writing of critical essays. This year-long skinny course is designed as an accelerated, enriching, and rigorous experience in analytical and critical thinking, and follows the curricular requirements in the AP English Course Description. It is geared toward higher-achieving students who are proficient in reading and writing. It is also expected that students enrolled in this course will take the AP exam in May. Because this is an AP Literature course, it is imperative that you and your parents agree that you will return to review for the AP exam with me in April and May. On a contract, I will ask for your contact information and signatures.

Course Outcomes:  To give students knowledge and skills necessary to score a 3 or higher on The AP English Literature and Composition Exam. It is expected that all students enrolled in the course will take the AP exam in May.  To activate students’ schema in order to achieve higher-level, critical thinking skills as applied to literature.  To help students find and explain (through discussion and writing) the value of literature.  To guide students’ understanding of literature in its artistic and historical context through exploration and research.  To develop skills and strategies in rhetoric through class discussion, small-group discussion, and Socratic Seminars.  To increase students’ knowledge and understanding of college-level vocabulary as it applies to the context of literature.

Skills Taught: The course teaches students to write an interpretation of a piece of literature that is based on a careful observation of textual details, considering  structure, style, and themes  social and historical values it reflects and embodies  the use of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone The course includes frequent opportunities for students to write and rewrite formal, extended analyses and timed in-class responses. The course requires

 writing to understand: informal, exploratory writing activities that enable students to discover what they think in the process of writing about their reading (such assignments could include annotation, free writing, keeping a reading journal, and response/reaction papers)

 writing to explain: expository, analytical essays in which students draw upon textual details to develop an extended explanation/interpretation of the meanings of a literary text

 writing to evaluate: Analytical, argumentative essays in which students draw upon textual details to make and explain judgments about a work's artistry and quality, and its social and cultural values  The teacher will provide instruction and feedback on students' writing assignments, both before and after the students revise their work, that help the students develop: o A wide-ranging vocabulary used appropriately and effectively J. Angert AP Literature Syllabus

o A variety of sentence structures, including appropriate use of subordination and coordination o Logical organization, enhanced by specific techniques to increase coherence, such as repetition, transitions, and emphasis o A balance of generalization and specific, illustrative detail o An effective use of rhetoric, including controlling tone, establishing and maintaining voice, and achieving appropriate emphasis through diction and sentence structure

Senior Research Project : This is a semester-long project involving research and community involvement. As a class we will choose which semester to complete this project. Because of the rigor of the AP Literature course, you will be expected to do much of the senior project work as homework, with help and guidance from your teacher along the way. You will receive comprehensive instructions at the beginning of the semester. Late work will not be accepted ; you will receive a checklist of due dates and assignments at the beginning of the semester. Judging of the project takes place in November and April, and Senior Project counts 25% of your overall grade.

Texts/ Resources: Our literature textbooks: Meyer, Michael. The Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing. 8th Edition. DiYanni, Robert. Literature: Reading Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. 6th Edition. Our vocabulary workbook: Shostak, J. Vocabulary Workshop New Edition Level H Sadlier-Oxford, 2012. Foster, Thomas. How To Read Literature Like a Professor. Shakespeare, William. Hamlet Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye Sophocles. Oedipus Rex Sophocles. Antigone Short stories from authors such as O’Connor, Hemingway, Chopin, Tan and more. Satirical selections from authors such as Twain and Swift Various persuasive, informative, and argumentative texts Poetry including but not limited to the works of Auden, Poe, Hughes, Cofer, Brooks, Frost, and Eliot Units of Study:

AP LITERATURE UNITS

ICEBREAKER GROUPWORK: ORDEAL BY CHEQUE

SUMMER READING: ESSAY, NOTES FOR HOW TO READ LITERATURE LIKE A PROFESSOR

COLLEGE ESSAYS J. Angert AP Literature Syllabus

WEEKLY VOCABULARY QUIZZES

1. GOOD VS. EVIL: BEGINNINGS

A. THE BOOK OF GENESIS-OLD TESTAMENT

B. FLANNERY O’CONNOR-SHORT STORIES

C. POE-THE BLACK CAT-SHORT STORIES

2. HUMAN NATURE: MAN’S DUALITY

A. HILLS LIKE WHITE ELEPHANTS

B. THE METAMORPHOSIS-SHORT STORY

C. HEART OF DARKNESS-THE NOVEL

3. POETRY UNIT

A. EXPLICATIONS/TPPCAST/SOAPSTONE

4. DRAMA: THE GREEK PLAYS

A. OEDIPUS-SOPHOCLES

B. ANTIGONE-SOPHOCLES

5. DRAMA: SHAKESPEARE AND OTHER

A. HAMLET

B. TWELFTH NIGHT

C. A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE-TENNESSEE WILLIAMS

6. POETRY: THE MOVEMENTS

A. POETS, TIME PERIODS, LIT ELEMENTS

B. POETRY TERMS

C. PROJECT

7. SENIOR PROJECT

A. CAPSTONE/RESEARCH PAPER J. Angert AP Literature Syllabus

B. PRESENTATION/LISTENING AND SPEAKING

Assessment and Evaluation: Assessment will be aligned with Common Core Standards as reflected in the Synergy grade book.

The Senior Project 25%

Reading

*Comprehension 25% *Literary *Informational

Writing 15% *Argumentative *Expository/Informational *Narrative

Language (conventions) 20% *Academic Vocabulary *Grammar/Usage

Listening and Speaking 5%

Final Exam 10%

Assignments and assessments will consist of written essays, tests, quizzes, and reading comprehension checks. You will accrue fewer grades in this class than most others, but your assignments will be weighted heavily. For instance, the research paper will come out at about 400 points, and it will be graded toward the end of the semester; therefore, prepare accordingly as you may experience an increase or drop in your overall grade average. This happens as a result of the chronology of the senior project during the semester.

Rules, Responsibilities, and Procedures: 1. Respect yourself and others the minute you cross the threshold of this classroom 2. No visible cell phones or iPods or other electronic devices unless given special permission by teacher for class use. This is county policy and we will adhere to it- see the handbook if you have any questions. 3. Always be prepared for class with all materials necessary. J. Angert AP Literature Syllabus

4. I dismiss the class; therefore you will NOT stand by the door waiting for the bell. You will stay seated until the bell rings unless I have given you special permission to be away from your desk. 5. All purses, bookbags, etc. are to be kept ON THE FLOOR OR UNDER THE DESK during class.

6. Work is due on the day assigned. Please do not come to class with a flash drive, cd, or story about your broken computer/printer. You will have plenty of opportunities to visit the media center or writing lab to complete your work BEFORE it is due. If you choose not to take advantage of these opportunities your grade will be negatively affected.

*CHEATING, INCLUDING PLAGIARISM, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED, AND WILL RESULT IN A GRADE OF ZERO ON THE ASSIGNMENT IN QUESTION, AS WELL AS DISCIPLINARY ACTION AS LISTED IN THE WHEELER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT HANDBOOK. *THE GRADE YOU EARN IN THE SYNERGY GRADEBOOK CANNOT BE CHANGED OR ALTERED; THEREFORE, SHOULD YOU EARN A 69, 79, 89, ETC., THAT WILL BE THE GRADE REFLECTED ON YOUR REPORT CARD. PLEASE DO NOT ASK ME TO “BUMP” YOUR GRADE FOR YOU. *ABSENCES FROM CLASS INSTRUCTION MAY AFFECT YOUR GRADE. IF YOU MUST MISS CLASS, BE CERTAIN YOU HAVE SOME WAY TO GET THE MATERIAL YOU MISSED, AND SOME WAY TO TURN IN ASSIGNMENTS THAT ARE DUE THE DAY OF YOUR ABSENCE. LATE WORK IS RARELY ACCEPTED. BE SURE TO CHECK MY BLOG UNDER THE WHS WEBSITE FOR ASSIGNMENTS AND DUE DATES. J. Angert AP Literature Syllabus

My Contact Information: Juliann Angert [email protected] 678-643-7896 (cell) Wheeler AP Lit Facebook Page Angert AP Skinny Blog At the beginning of the school year I will invite you to enroll in Remind 101, a texting service, where I can send you important reminders about class assignments. If you are not able to access texting, please find a classmate who can get important information to you. I also send information via our Wheeler AP Lit Facebook page. Please add yourself as a friend to this page as soon as you can. You may email me, text, or call me with legitimate questions and concerns at any time. ABOUT ME: I have been teaching for eighteen years, beginning at Camp Creek Middle School in Fulton County for two years, at Berkmar High School in Gwinnett County for eight years, and the rest at Wheeler High School. I have been the English Department Chair for four years, and am also Senior Class Sponsor and Co-Sponsor of Wheeler’s National English Honor Society. I have taught every grade and level of English from eighth grade through twelfth. I have taught Honors British Literature for over ten years, and AP Literature for eight years. Qualifications: I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and am currently pursuing a Doctorate in English Education through Kennesaw State University. I hold a Clear and Renewable Teaching Certificate in the state of Georgia, with Gifted Education Certification and AP Certification add-ons. My Teaching Philosophy: J. Angert AP Literature Syllabus

I believe every child is entitled to an excellent education. I believe that teaching is my calling and therefore my responsibility; I make it my priority to try and instill the tools necessary for learning into each child who comes into my classroom. It is my expectation and my hope that parents and/or guardians make their child’s education a priority as well, and emphasize the importance of good study habits and excellent attendance. I strongly endorse student self-advocacy; therefore, I expect students to ask questions and communicate with me before or after school or during appropriate class times with any and all concerns or issues. Because this is a college-level class, students must learn to have a voice and to speak for themselves whenever possible. I have listed several ways to contact me if face-time will not suffice. Good Communication is Absolutely Essential!!!