SYLLABUS 2011-2012

WORLD LANGUAGE HIGH SCHOOL
COURSE SYLLABUS
2011-2012
English II (American Literature) – 1 Credit

Teacher

Mr. Julius
Email: ajulius@cps.edu
Phone: (773) 535-4334
Meetings: by appointment only

Supplies Needed

-Each of the following supplies must be brought to class every day. Each item should be for this class only:

o Folder or Binder
o Notebook
o Pen
o book or reading for the day

Course Overview

 In this course, literature will be studied through concepts that are meaningful to high school students. It is also an interdisciplinary course, which means that the arts and humanities will be incorporated within the class. Students will continually be making connections to their real lives and the real world they live in. Still, this is a skills-based class, wherein grammar and usage will be studied and practiced at great length.
 This course provides students with an opportunity to study literature in many forms, including novels, short stories, non-fiction essays, biography, poetry and news articles to gain an understanding of the meanings that literature brings to cultures and communities. The focus will be on American literature, and the many cultures and voices that are represented within it.
 This is a required, one-credit course needed to graduate high school.
 There is a strong focus on writing in this course, as students prepare for their lives after high school, including college and their careers. Writing instruction will include several forms of in-class writing, short writing pieces, and long-term projects such as essays.
 The skills and content in this course fulfill the College Readiness Standards, and the Illinois State Goals for English, Writing, Reading, and Social & Emotional Learning.
 Below is a list of the major works that will be studied in this course. This list is subject to change, and other works may be added throughout the year.

The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger
Always Running, Luis Rodriguez
12 Angry Men, Reginald Rose
Macho!, Victor Villasenor
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, Sherman Alexie
A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry
Short stories by various authors
Poetry by various authors
Film, music, and artworks by various artists

Assignments and Grades

o Homework is expected to be turned in on time in order to maintain rigorous course in which students display a high standard of achievement and attitude. No late work is accepted.
o Assignments include at-home reading and note-taking, short and long-term group projects, term papers, quizzes, and presentations.
o Participation Students are expected to participate in in-class activities, including discussion, projects, presentations, performance etc. This is because all students’ voices and expressions are meaningful and should be heard.
o Bell Ringers: Bell ringers will be completed by students at the beginning of every class period, usually within the first 5-10 minutes. They may include journals, prompts, grammar exercises and critical thinking questions.
o Punctuality: Students are expected to come to class on time every day and begin their bell ringers. Tardiness will be negatively reflected in grading.
o Preparedness: Students are expected to come prepared every day. Failure to do so will be negatively reflected in grading.
o Grading Scale:

A= 100-95
B= 94-88
C= 87-81
D= 80-75
F= 74-0

Tardy Policy

1. Sign in when you come in late, or when told to do so.
2. After 3 tardies, a call home home will be placed
3. After 3 tardies, your grade will be dropped by up to 15 points in the Class Participation and Policy grade
4. Note: In the last few years, some of my students have failed the class in part because of this. See me after school for details.


Behavior in a Learning Community

In order to ensure a respectful and safe classroom atmosphere, three basic guidelines apply:
1. Listen, and do not talk, when others are speaking
2. Stay awake at all times
3. Refrain from eating in the classroom.
Additional class norms will be established by the students near the beginning of the school year.


 BY BEING IN THE ROOM OR ACCESSING THE BLOG, YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE COURSE OVERVIEW AND STANDARDS IN THIS SYLLABUS.