AP Lit 2013-2014 SPRING Per. 0 & 5

COURSE DESCRIPTION

AP English is a rigorous college-level course.  The course focuses on a variety of genres of literature by using major works from different literary periods concentrating on close reading of the texts.  Writing skills are developed with attention to form, style, and structure as well as content.  Preparation for the AP Exam is part of the course and we expect you to take the AP Exam.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Students will be able to:

• Develop accurate and perceptive critical analysis of major texts (English, American, European,  Classical and multi-cultural) representing various literary genres
• Acquire fluent, precise writing style through the preparation of essays about the texts
• Understand the technique of poetry as it affects and enhances meaning in a poem
• Generate independent, thoughtful, and analytical discourse during class discussions
• Deliver oral reports with poise and clarity
• Demonstrate knowledge of literary terms
• Develop essential writing skills and knowledge required to deal successfully with the questions on the AP English examination

AP ENGLISH POLICIES

§  All assignments are due at the beginning of the class on the scheduled due date.  Papers (essays, responses, projects, etc.) must be completely assembled (stapled, packaged) and ready for submission as you walk into the classroom before the tardy bell rings.  Class time will not be used for assembly purposes. Late papers will not be accepted.  I will not accept them for a lower grade, as a sympathy gesture on my part, or as a direct result of a unique excuse on your part.

§  All writing assignments are to be typed.  Maintain a copy of all writing assignments on paper, hard drive, and flash drive.

§  Students must contribute to classroom discussion in a meaningful, analytical, way.  Failure to do so will result in a lower grade.

§  Students must maintain an ongoing record of class notes and major works notes for test preparation purposes. 

§  Students must attend class prepared on a daily basis.  Borrowing supplies, texts or course materials from other students is prohibited.  This is a college-level course and daily preparation is required for success in this course. 

§  Required supplies: texts, binder [1 ½” - 2”], college-ruled paper, 2+ pens (black and blue ink), white-out, and highlighters.  Your binder needs 6 tabs: Terms, Voice Lessons, Writing, Major Works, Poetry, and Prose.

§  We follow all Santiago High School policies regarding attendance, tardies, attire, electronic devices, food and beverages, etc.

COURSE MATERIALS

• Primary Text:  DiYanni, Robert. Literature—Reading Fiction, Poetry and Drama (5^th ed.).
• Novels, plays, and poetry as assigned, including the Summer Reading texts.

COURSEWORK

§  First Quarter:  Summer Reading discussions, essays, and quizzes; Short Fiction (literary and critical terminology); works by Porter, Updike, Lawrence, Joyce, Jackson, Boyle, Williams, and others.  Classical drama:  Hamlet, Much Ado about Nothing, and others

§  Second Quarter: 19^th and 20^th century drama which may include:  A Doll House, The Glass Menagerie, Death of a Salesman, and/or The Importance of Being Earnest.  Core novel:  Pride and Prejudice.

§  Third Quarter:  Novels:  All Quiet on the Western Front, 1984, and/or Frankenstein.  Study and analyze poetry from the 16^th to 19^th centuries.

§  Fourth Quarter:  Twentieth century poetry; non-fiction prose (essays, criticism) from the 19^th and 20^th centuries.  We will close the year with a senior research project and literature circles.

There will be at least three critical essays assigned each quarter along with tests and quizzes on the required reading.

Several of the critical essays will be completed in class to prepare students for the time limitations on the essays required for the Advanced Placement test in May.  Students who pass the AP exam may elect to waive the lower division English literature requirement in college.  (Minimum scores for this waiver vary from college to college – check your college website for details).

The format and content of this course mirrors that of a university literature course.  The AP canon emphasizes the work of such essential literary voices as Shakespeare, Donne, Ibsen, Shaw, Austen, Orwell, Dickinson, Joyce, Achebe and Miller.  As with a university level course, there is no extra credit, and no late work or “make-up” work accepted for grading.  Successful student writing in the AP context must exhibit a student’s ability to think critically and his or her mastery of expository prose.

Student grades are based primarily on the critical essays but also reflect the importance of other class requirements as well.  These are the grade components and relative percentages for Advanced Placement students:

Scale: 90-100% = A    80-89% = B     70-79% = C     60-69% = D    59% or below = F