English 11A – American Literature
Fall 2011-2012 Draft Syllabus
Dr. Cohen – Room 201
Course Description:
Survey of American Literature from early Native American through contemporary writers, with a focus on how different eras in American literary history have defined and reacted to “The American Dream.”
Essential Questions:
Throughout the course, we will use literature (as well as some music, film and visual art) as the focus of our reading, writing and discussion in examining the following Essential Questions:
1. What is “The American Dream”? How and why has it evolved over time?
2. What does it mean to be American? What events have shaped the “American Experience”? Does a unified “American Experience” exist?
3. How do the differences between collective and individual histories affect perspectives in American story-telling (through literature, art, music and film)?
4. What are our responsibilities as readers and writers in an American society?
Required Materials
- Binder with paper and a separate section for English class
- Composition Book for Projects
- Memory Stick
- Pen (blue or black ink)
- American Literature Text Book
- Novel/play being read by entire class (when appropriate)
Grades:
Your grade will be calculated according to a point system. Every assignment, including class participation, is an opportunity to earn points. You will earn points through the following:
- Preparedness for and participation in class discussions and activities
- Essays and Exams
- Homework assignments
- Presentations
- In-class assignments
- Final Exam
Grades and weighting system is posted on Engrade.com. You are responsible for monitoring your grades!
A REMINDER ABOUT GRADES: I do not “give” grades. Whatever grade you EARN in this class will be determined by your work this term.
Homework:
Use your HHS planner or buy your own in which you’ll write all of the assignments. Organization and preparedness are skills you will need regardless of your post-secondary plans.
- Homework will be writing compositions, studying for tests, or reading. DO ALL OF IT.
- Major assignments drop by one full grade EACH DAY they are late.
- Some work can NOT be made up, especially the oral assignments.
- See me before 7:30 or during Lunch about make-up work, not right as the class is about to begin.
Please NOTE: While we will be addressing grammar and vocabulary independently, keep in mind that the #1 way to learn grammar and vocabulary is by READING. It gives you more instruction about these components than anything else will. The more you read, the more you’ll notice when something doesn’t “look” or “sound” right.
Absences/Tardies:
If you are tardy to class, I will be keeping track. If it becomes habitual, I will give you detention, call home, refer you to your counselor, and/or lower your work habits/cooperation grades. You also may not be able to make up assignments missed due to unexcused tardies.
As for absenteeism, you cannot learn enough to pass this class if you are not IN the class. For all questions and make-up work regarding absences, I am usually available before 7:30 and during Lunch. I will NOT track you down to collect missed work. If YOU do not take the initiative to keep up with your class work, therein lives the real problem.
Scope and Sequence: Semester Overview (Subject to Change)
Sept. 07 - 09 Authors Covered: Langston Hughes
Historical Connections
PROJ: The Columbian Exchange Literature in Context
PROJ: Goal Letter – Due Sept. 12
Sept. 12 - 16 Authors Covered: Langston Hughes,
PROJ: Citation Paragraphs – Due Sept. 19
Sept. 19 - 23 Authors Covered: Native American Poets, Reflective Poetry
PROJ: Reflective Poems – Due Sept. 26; Response Writing (In Class) Sept. 26
Sept. 26 - 30 Canassatego, Jonathan Edwards,
PROJ: Persuasive Essay: Moral Viewpoints – Due Oct. 4; Literary Terms Exam – Oct. 4
Oct. 3 – Oct. 7 Author Covered: Arthur Miller (The Crucible)
PROJ: Scene Summaries – Due Oct. 10
Oct. 10 - 14 Author Covered: Arthur Miller (The Crucible)
PROJ: Conflict Chart, Acts 1 & 2 - Due Oct 17;
Oct. 17 - 21 Author Covered: Arthur Miller (The Crucible)
PROJ: Completed Conflict Chart and Character Study – Due Oct. 24
Oct. 24 - 28 Author Covered: Arthur Miller (The Crucible)/ Goodnight and Good Luck
PROJ: Comparison Essay – Due Nov. 4
Oct. 31 – Nov. 4 Authors Covered: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson – Logical Appeals
PROJ: Memorization of The Declaration of Independence selection – Due Nov. 10
Nov. 7 - 10 Authors Covered: Dekanawidah – Logical Fallacies
PROJ: Advertising and Logical Fallacy – Due Nov. 13
Nov. 14 - 18 Authors Covered: Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne
PROJ: Chart – Tone and Mood Shifts
Nov. 21 - 23 Authors Covered: Nathaniel Hawthorne
PROJ: In-class Essay – Horror as Genre
Nov. 28 – Dec. 2 Authors Covered: Ralph W. Emerson, Henry D. Thoreau
PROJ: Begin Persuasive Project – Transcendental Themes – Detailed timeline and due dates to be distributed in class Nov. 23
Dec. 5 - 9 Authors Covered: Emerson, Thoreau, Walt Whitman
PROJ: Persuasive Project – See Handout
Dec. 12 -16 Authors Covered: Ralph W. Emerson, Henry D. Thoreau, Whitman
PROJ: Persuasive/Transcendentalism Project – Due Dec. 16
Jan. 09 -13 Authors Covered: David Sedaris “Me Talk Pretty One Day”
PROJ: Journal
Jan. 17 -20 Authors Covered: Alice Walker “Beauty, When the Other Dancer is the Self”
PROJ: Journal
Jan 23 -27 Authors Covered: Lac Su I Love Yous Are For White People
PROJ: Drafting/Revision of Memoir
Jan 30 – Feb 3 DUE: FINAL DRAFT OF MEMOIR and JOURNAL
Prepare for and take the cumulative final exam.
Exam will cover all authors, themes, historical periods, literary devices and writing competencies covered this semester.
* * * * * TEAR-OFF * * * * *
I have read and reviewed the requirements for this class. I have read/discussed this syllabus with my child.
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Student’s Name Parent / Guardian Signature
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Student’s Signature Contact Telephone Number
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