English 11A – American Literature

Fall 2012-2013 Syllabus

Dr. Cohen – Room 222

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 was the “Columbian Exchange”?  Why is it considered an aspect of “proto-globalization”? How is trade and information exchange reflected in texts, folk and foodways?   What is the role of literary mediums (books, moving images, Facebook, Twitter, Group Me) in ongoing cultural exchange and collaboration?

2.     What is “The American Dream”?  How and why has it evolved over time?

3.     What does it mean to be American?  What events have shaped the “American Experience”?  Does a unified “American Experience” exist?

4.     How do the differences between collective and individual histories affect perspectives in American story-telling (through literature, art, music and film)?

5.     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

-        Pens (blue or black ink), Red, and Yellow Highlighter

-        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. 4 tardies equals a U in cooperation.

            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)

Aug. 14-17                                    Authors Covered:  Native American Poets

                                                      Historical Connections

                                                      PROJ: The Columbian Exchange Literature in Context                                                                       

                                                        PROJ: Travel Writing and Reflective Poem on a Paradox

                                                     

Aug.  20-24                                    Authors Covered:  Olaudah Equiano, William Bradford, Canasetego, Mary Jemison

                                                      PROJ:  MLA format review; Citation Paragraphs – Research paper on an aspect of Corn

                                                                                         

Aug. 27-31                                    Authors Covered:  Samuel Sewall, Jonathan Edwards

                                                      PROJ: Persuasive Essay  (Moral Viewpoints) and Literary Terms exam

Sept. 3-7                                                       Author Covered: Arthur Miller (The Crucible)

                                                      PROJ:  Scene Summaries

                                                     

Sept.10-14–                                     Author Covered:  Arthur Miller (The Crucible)

                                                      PROJ: Scene Summaries –

Sept.17- 21                                    Author Covered:  Arthur Miller (The Crucible)

PROJ: Conflict Chart, Acts 1 & 2 -

                                                                        

Sept.24-28                                     Author Covered:  Arthur Miller (The Crucible)                                                        

                                                      PROJ:  Completed Conflict Chart and Character Study

                 

Oct. 1-5 __                                     Author Covered:  Arthur Miller (The Crucible)

                                                        PROJ: Character Analysis Essay

                                                     

Oct. 8-12                                                       Authors Covered:  Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson – Logical Appeals

                                                      PROJ: Memorization of The Declaration of Independence selection –

Oct. 15- 19                                    Authors Covered:  Dekanawidah – Logical Fallacies

                                                      PROJ: Advertising and Logical Fallacy  

                                                                                                              

Oct.22- -26                                    Authors Covered:  Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne                                                     

                                                      PROJ:  Chart – Tone and Mood Shifts

Oct. 29 –Nov.2                   Authors Covered:  Nathaniel Hawthorne

                                                      PROJ: In-class Essay – Horror as Genre

                                                                                           

Nov. 5– Nov.9                                    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. 12-Nov. 16                                    Authors Covered:  Emerson, Thoreau, Walt Whitman

PROJ: Persuasive Essay Project – See Handout

                                                       

Nov.19-23                                                      Authors Covered:  Ralph W. Emerson, Henry D. Thoreau, Whitman

                                                      PROJ: Persuasive/Transcendentalism Project –

Nov. 26-30                                    Authors Covered:  Lincoln, Bierce, Douglass                                                     

PROJ:  Persuasive Speech (Written and Oral presentation)

Dec. 3-7                                                        Authors Covered:  Dickenson, Whitman,

                                                      PROJ: Journal

                                                     

December 10-14                  Authors Covered:  Dunbar, Crane, Twain, Cortez, Satanta

                                                      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 American Literature.              I have read/discussed this syllabus with my child.

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