American Literature Seminar 2005-2006 Syllabus Mrs. Pinard Course Description In this chronological survey, we will study the spectrum of American literature, exploring why perceptions about individualism, society, the environment, and human motivation changed as groups of writers were identified as Puritans, Rationalists, Romantics, Transcendentalists, Social Critics, Realists, and Modernists. A pivotal topic will be how the author explains his/her world and his/her self. Whenever possible our study will complement the A.P. History curriculum. Students in this seminar should have strong independent reading skills and be prepared to complete analytical assignments outside of class. This course is designed to engage students in the careful reading and critical analysis of literature from a variety of periods and genres. One of our primary goals will be to move beyond a reader response approach to literature into deep analysis. Students will be encouraged to develop their own interpretations to literature that are well supported by specific evidence from the text. Students may be expected to purchase some texts. Students should also expect to be challenged through small and large group activities, demonstrations, debates, and frequent writing assignments. This seminar satisfies the English 11 requirement for those juniors who elect to take A.P. American History. Texts The key text in our study will be Elements of Literature. We will also read novels, plays, and nonfiction such as, The Crucible, All the President's Men, The Scarlet Letter, The Killer Angels, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, Inherit the Wind, A Raisin in the Sun, The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Awakening, Our Town, The Grapes of Wrath, The Great Gatsby, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, The Things They Carried, The Catcher in the Rye, Death of a Salesman, and Animal Dreams. Course Expectations and Requirements There will be frequent formal and informal writing assignments. Expository writing, to explain and to interpret, will be primary to the organization and style of written work. Writing topics will be generated in response to readings, and all assignments will utilize the writing process. It is expected that each student will participate in class discussion by preparation and will reveal a high quality of involvement with answers and questions. Prompting discussion with probing and open?ended questions will stimulate other students' ideas and will fuel seminar style discussions. The participation will be reflected in the quarter grade. All students are expected to: arrive at class on time with all of their materials. One point will be deducted from the participation grade for each tardy (after the second). Excessive tardiness may result in disciplinary consequences and the loss of CRISP status. complete class assignments and reading on time. take notes during class discussions and keep an orderly notebook. take notes on all reading assignments use the writing process. participate in class discussions and group work/projects-quality of involvement will be reflected in the quarterly average. maintain quality work on all homework, quizzes, tests writing, and individual & group projects. complete two multisource research projects successfully. These are the "Voices from the Past" multigenre project and the Supreme Court paper. These term papers will be graded for process, draft, and final copy. It is necessary to complete these assignments successfully in order to earn credit for the course. participate, at the classroom level, in the Ron Lesniewski Oratorical Contest. It is necessary to complete this assignment successfully in order to earn credit for the course. complete all assignments and turn them in on time. No late homework will be accepted. Some major assignments may be turned in late with a ten percent (10%) penalty per school day that it is late. If students are sick, they have two school days to make up their work, so students will need to contact their teacher the day they return to school. If students are absent on the day of a test or the due date for a major assignment, students should send in their work if possible or submit it on their first day back at school. If students are going to miss class because of fieldtrips or athletics, they should complete and submit all assignments before they go. practice academic honesty (see the J.S.R. Student Handbook) Evaluation Homework/Classwork Average 4 x base grade Quizzes 1-2 x base grade "On-demand" Essays 2-3 x base grade Oral Presentations/Debates 2-3 x base grade Tests 4 x base grade Major Papers/Projects 4 x base grade Participation approx. 10% Return to Mrs. Pinard's Home Page. Revised 06/07/05