English IV: British Literature

1. English IV: British Literature AP English IV: British Literature Dual Credit English IV: English 2322 & 2323

2. AP / Dual – what’s the difference? • AP Students will take the AP exam in May to receive credit – usually scoring a 4 or higher (school-specific). • Students may take this course as Dual as long as they (1) met all of the requirements/deadline dates set by Northwest Vista College, and (2) scored 3 or higher on the English III AP exam in May, 2012. • Dual Credit Students will receive 6 college hours of English without taking the exam. • Dual Credit students are encouraged to take the AP exam in May – this may depend on the college that students intend to apply to this year. We’ll talk more about this later.

3. First Semester… • The first quarter begins with a review of the major works that the seniors have read in their previous English and reading classes. The two summer reading major works are then discussed, and the students answer multiple choice questions (A.P. English Literature exam style) and write in-class essays utilizing their annotated copies of the major works. The College Application Essay assignment utilizes the writing process and is covered in several class meetings. The students read excerpts of the Beowulf poem, and complete an in-depth study of the Anglo-Saxon literary time period. Included in the study of the Medieval Period, the students read excerpts of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and gain an understanding of the culture and history unique to Englandduring this period. In the students’ study of the English Renaissance, they will analyze both Italian and English sonnets and write their own original sonnets. The students read and analyze Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The first semester curriculum takes the students through the 18th Century including writers such as John Donne, John Milton, and Jonathan Swift.

4. Second Semester… • The second semester begins with the Romantic Period in British literature including authors such as William Blake, William Wordsworth, and Samuel Taylor Coleridge. An in-depth study of the 19th Century novelist and poet Thomas Hardy will provide an opportunity for the students to understand the tremendous changes in the culture of England during the Victorian era. Other Victorian Age authors in the 19th Century curriculum include Alfred, Lord Tennyson, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and Oscar Wilde. The study of the 20th Century will include works by writers such as T.S. Eliot, James Joyce, and Dylan Thomas.

5. Mrs. Majetich • AP/Dual British Literature meets 3rd, 5th, and 7th periods. • Utilize TeacherWeb as much as possible! Especially if you are absent. • This is a college level course, and students will be held to college standards. • I will not print additional copies! Everything is available on TeacherWeb.

6. Materials • AP/Dual students will purchase their own copies of the literary works unless otherwise notified. • Electronic copies of the works will NOT be allowed in class. • Used books are allowed – Half Price Books and UTSA bookstores are great places to find the literature. • Purchase a composition notebook this week! Bring this to class DAILY. • Folder or binder for graded materials – may be used at a later date.

7. Materials (later this year…) • Purchase own copy of Hamlet by Shakespeare no later than October 15th. Used/parallel texts are acceptable. • Purchase The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy by January 15th. Order EARLY – this text is usually not available in-store, so order online. You should also check Half Price Books for used copies.

8. Other Literary Pieces… • Murder in the Cathedral by T. S. Eliot • Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard • Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw • Heart of Darkness – Joseph Conrad • And possibly MORE… • Copies of these will be provided, but students will not be able to annotate. Be prepared to take notes as we read these in class.

9. Grading Expectations • Evaluation – 60% • Timed In-class essays for each major work that we read. Students will be prepared for these. Expect at least 3 writing assignments each nine week grading period. • Poetry notebook and discussion • Application & Reinforcement – 40% • Miscellaneous assignments both in and out of class. Expect at least 10 assignments each nine week grading period.

10. More about grading… • Know how to document using MLA guidelines! • Assignments always due at the beginning of class on due date. • After start of class – 30 point deduction! No exceptions. • Do not email assignment unless absent from class. • Make-up work for excused absences ONLY. • Must have excused slip from attendance office. No exceptions! • Printer issues at home – bring to school and print in library or computer lab. I will NOT print assignments.

11. Let’s talk about PLAGIARISM! • Research requires DOCUMENTATION…always! • In upholding integrity, academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on assignments, plagiarism (unauthorized use of another person’s work, or inadequate documentation), and collusion through unauthorized collaboration will result in a failing grade. • Plagiarism is usually accidental and is a result of students not knowing how to cite properly. • Get familiar with MLA & APA guidelines. • Easybib.com is your friend.

12. For now… • Bring your summer reading novel and Foster’s book to class each day. • Bring your composition notebook to class each day. • Bring a writing utensil to class each day.

13. Other Rules and Policies… • Please do not move desks, chairs, or tables without being ask to do so. • Please do not use any supplies or materials on my desk. • Please do not sit behind my desk or use the computer without permission. • Please do not write on the white boards. • Unless instructed to use electronic devices, do not use them in the classroom – cell phones will be turned in to the office if they are seen, heard, or being used while concealed.

14. Questions… Concerns… Comments… (well – keep those to yourself )

15. Let’s have a great year…