Senior English Syllabus

Action is eloquence. William Shakespeare Course Goals: The 12th grade English curriculum is designed to develop the students ability to read critically, write clearly, and speak comfortably in front of a group. Students will take two terms (A, B) of Senior English. A major portion of the course will involve close reading, thematic analysis, discussion, and writing about various selections of World Literature. In this course, seniors will:
Examine and discuss the relationship between man and society. Examine and respond to world history through literature. Read, think, discuss, and write critically in response to world literature. Write from experience, analysis, and research in a variety of forms. Understand, recognize, and apply literary terms. Discretely study vocabulary and grammar skills. Apply grammar and vocabulary skills within the context of writing and revision. Read, discuss and critique a variety of world literature such as: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger and Hamlet by William Shakespeare; The Iliad by Homer and Night by Elie Wiesel. We will also have the benefit of selected excerpts from the literature text: McDougall-Littells The Language of Literature: World Literature 12. Investigate the essential questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? Through a critical reading of the literature and an investigation of these essential questions as they pertain to ones life. Reflect on the themes of the course: Truth, free will, determinism, integrity, hypocrisy, priorities, destiny, heroism, love, honor, belief, friendship, mortality, misogyny, values, fatalism, reason, emotion, heroic quest.

Student Expectations: Students are expected to come to class on time with the appropriate materials: the book(s) we are using, writers notebook (journal), note paper and a writing utensil. In addition to the assigned reading, students are also expected to maintain a regular independent reading life you should always have a good book of your choice that you are reading. We will devote class reading time to independent reading each end-of-the-week day. Students should use an appropriate note-taking-for-learning strategy on a daily basis. It is strongly suggested that students own (and use) copies of The Elements of Style by Strunk & White, and On Writing Well by Wm. Zinsser. All papers should be the students original and best work, and should be turned in on time. Papers should go through the drafting, review, revision, and editing processes. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Please document all sources according to the MLA rules as posted on the www.nmps.k12.mi.us webpage. Assessment: Students are expected to contribute to discussions, in groups and as a whole class, based on an intelligent, thoughtful reading of the works. Class participation will be worth 25% of the marking period grade. Assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, and papers will be worth 75% of the marking period grade. There will be an examination at the end of both terms.

Class Participation (discussion groups, journaling and note-taking, whole class discussion, activity participation) = 25% Assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, and papers = 75% NMHS Grading Scale
A+ A AB+ B B100-98 93-97 90-92 87-89 83-86 80-82 C+ C CD+ D DE 77-79 73-76 70-72 67-69 63-66 60-62 59 or below

Resources: Students are issued the McDougall-Littell, The Language of Literature: World Literature text, 2006 edition. Students will have daily opportunities for classroom discussion and participation. Students will have access to a copy of The Elements of Style at school. Students will have the ability to reach me by phone @ 719-4161, or e-mail @ schanhmi@nmps.k12.mi.us.