<p> Advanced Placement English Language and Composition Hauppauge High School Ms. Lynch 2013 – 2014 Difficulties mastered are opportunities won.</p><p>Winston Churchill</p><p>Course Description</p><p>Advanced Placement Language and Composition is a full-year, college-level course which culminates with the AP examination administered in May. All students enrolled in this course must take the exam. The course requires an ability to read, understand, and analyze college level text, write with fluency, as well as proficiently utilize the resources of language. The literature of this course represents a wide variety of genres, periods, cultures, and voices in a variety of texts. This is an immersion course in critical thinking, “close” reading, and development of articulate and precise communication. Key components of the curriculum include the development of students’ awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the complexities of the world in which we live. In essence, the world is our classroom. As such, assignments frequently are culled from current events. An understanding of argument and rhetoric are cornerstones of the AP Language and Composition class. Clarity of thought, the ability to synthesize sources, as well as proficiency in writing are hallmarks of a successful experience in the AP Language and Composition class. Participation is essential and precise articulation in verbal and written expression is emphasized. Good listening skills will help to develop the ability to recognize and understand other points of view. Enthusiasm for learning is a prerequisite! </p><p>Course Objectives</p><p>Upon successful completion of the Advanced Placement Language and Composition course, students should be able to:  analyze and interpret samples of effective writing, identifying and explaining an author’s use of rhetorical strategies and techniques;  apply effective strategies and techniques in their own creative and analytical writing;  create and sustain discussions and arguments based upon readings, research, and personal experiences;  demonstrate understanding and mastery of the English language as well as stylistic maturity in their own writings;  write in a variety of genres, both formal and informal, employing appropriate conventions;  produce expository and argumentative compositions that introduce a complex central idea and develop it with specific and appropriate evidence, cogent explanations, and clear transitions;  practice all stages of the writing process with close attention paid to inquiry and research, drafting, revising, editing, and review;  ability to read bibliographic citations and understand their role in academic discourse;  ability to analyze and synthesize multiple sources of information, including textual and visual sources;  ability to discern meaning, purpose, and effect in writing.</p><p>Course Curriculum</p><p>The following is a partial list of readings and assignments (subject to revision) under consideration for this year: </p><p>Contemporary and Classic Arguments: A Portable Anthology edited by Barnet and Bedau 50 Essays: A Portable Anthology edited by Samuel Cohen The Norton Reader 13th Edition edited by Linda H. Peterson A Rulebook for Arguments Fourth Edition by Anthony Weston Fiction and non-fiction full-length selections TBA Historical primary source documents Variety of media selections Oral presentations Group projects Library research Literature circles Outside reading selections</p><p>Recommended Readings</p><p>Students who learn from a variety of sources on a wide range of topics will develop the intellectual perspective that is a prerequisite for success on the AP Language and Composition exam. The following list of periodicals and media is a sampling of the type of media recommended for enriched discourse: </p><p>New York Times Washington Post Discover U.S. News and World Report Utne Reader The Onion Atlantic Monthly The New Yorker Harper’s Magazine Mental Floss Smithsonian Magazine NPR (radio and website) PBS (television) BBC America and Worldwide (television, radio, website) C Span 2: Book TV Charlie Rose (television) The Economist The Wall Street Journal Scientific American TED Talks Any credible news source that offers analysis of contemporary and global issues</p><p>Requirements</p><p>As this is a college-level course, it is expected that students will be responsible for the safekeeping and organization of their materials. Due to many handouts, students may find that a binder is better suited for the organization and maintenance of AP materials. At the very least, students should come to class with an agenda, a notebook, a journal, a blue or black pen, and a folder and/or binder. The Academic Integrity Policy that is outlined in your agenda is in effect at all times. Be sure you are familiar with the school’s carefully outlined policies on plagiarism and its consequences. </p><p>Grading Policy</p><p>A variety of activities will be graded in this class, including, but not limited to, oral presentations, group work, tests, quizzes, essays, peer editing, projects, outside independent readings, formal essays and writing assignments, practice AP exams, journal responses, and homework assignments. In addition, participation is an integral aspect of a successful experience in a college class; therefore it is expected that students will be actively engaged at all times. Active engagement includes working well with others in shared presentations or discussions, listening or contributing both written and oral commentary to class discussions, as well as being prepared for class every day. As this is a discussion-based class, it is expected that all students will come to class having read the assigned material. Quizzes, both announced as well as unannounced, may occur over assigned readings at any time. </p><p>Because assignments vary from quarter to quarter, the weighting for specific assignments will also vary. However, as should expected in a language and composition course, writing assignments and practice AP exams will be more heavily weighted than other assessments. In addition, a percentage of your course grade reflects timely preparation. For full credit, be sure to have assignments ready and with you upon class arrival. Failure to turn in an assignment when you are absent from class but present in school will result in a lower preparation grade. If you are absent from school (or class), it is your obligation to ask about the work you have missed and to make up any and all missed work immediately. Outside assignments should be typed, stapled, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 12 font. Please be advised that both content and mechanics are considered for assessment purposes. </p><p>College level study requires the skillful management of a natural human response to procrastinate. Be sure to plan ahead and leave time for the revision and editing process. Rough drafts rarely receive the credit they deserve for good critical thinking—take the time to turn in your best work. </p><p>Extra Credit Policy</p><p>Extra credit that is directly related to the curriculum studied in this course may occasionally be assigned as an enrichment opportunity. Any extra credit assignment, along with its point value, and completion date will be available for all students and will be announced in class and posted on my Hauppauge faculty website. </p><p>Classroom Expectations</p><p> Students will be active participants in a stimulating and positive collegial classroom.  Always treat others the way you would like to be treated—respectful behavior is the hallmark of good character.  You won’t always understand why we’re doing what we are doing; the intellectual process is subtle, cumulative, and winding. Trust the process.  Be open-minded, caring, and reflective.  Question everything—with diplomacy.</p><p>Extra help Communication is essential. If you are experiencing difficulty in any area, please speak with me. I am available for extra help every day after school until 3:00 p.m. or by appointment during the day. You may also contact me through my faculty website. </p><p>THE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY IN YOUR STUDENT HANDBOOK IS IN EFFECT FOR ALL ASSIGNMENTS, BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CLASS, AT ALL TIMES </p>