Course Syllabus

English 112: Literature Appreciation/ Women in Literature
NCCC Bridge Program- Course Syllabus
Spring 2015
Ms. Amy Spicer
Room 206, M-F, 4th period
aspicer@lpcsd.org

Course Description:
This course focuses primarily on reading, studying and writing about the elements of fiction, poetry and drama.  It will promote critical reading, thinking and writing skills.  We will study 20th and 21st century works using established critical theory: New Criticism, Narrative Theory, Biographical Criticism, Reader- Response Criticism and Feminist Criticism.  This course is a wonderful opportunity for students explore literature, develop their writing skills and receive college credit while still in high school.  Taking this course will help prepare you for the rigor of college studies.   

Essential Question:  How do female characters from different settings in literature connect through similar struggles in life? 

Credits: 3 Credits at NCCC and .5 Credit at LPHS

Required Texts:
                  Booth, Allison. The Norton Introduction to Literature (Shorter 9th Edition)
                                    Glaspell, Susan. “Trifles
                                    Stoppard, Tom.  “The Real Inspector Hound”
                                    Williams, Tennessee.  “A Streetcar Named Desire”
                  Hosseini, Khaled.  A Thousand Splendid Suns
                  Alverez, Julia. In the Time of the Butterflies
                 
Poetry and various nonfiction pieces will be available as class handouts or on my blog.

Course Objectives:
Students will accomplish the following:                                  
                  1.  Form a definition of literature, so they may understand and appreciate the functions of 
                  literature and so they may distinguish between literary and non-literary writing.
                  2.  Learn to distinguish the principal elements of fiction.
                  3.  Learn to distinguish the principal elements of drama.
                  4.  Learn to distinguish the principal elements of poetry.
                  5.  Read critically and practice critical analysis, supporting assertions about the 
                   meaning and value of assigned readings with specific references to the texts.
                  6.  Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid 
                   reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
                  7. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and 
                  information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of                   content.
                  8.  Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and       
                  research.

Upon exiting the course, students will be able to do the following:
                  1.  Demonstrate an understanding of the definition of literature.
                  2.  Differentiate between literary and non- literary writing and make qualitative      
                  judgments about the literary value of specific texts.
                  3.  Differentiate prose from verse in terms of purpose and formal characteristics.
                  4.  Differentiate between fiction, drama, and poetry in terms of purpose and formal         
                  characteristics.
                  5.  Demonstrate an understanding of the principal elements of fiction, drama and poetry.
                  6.  Demonstrate an understanding of the nature and role of literary traditions.
7.  Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts and terminology employed in literary analysis and criticism.
                  8.  Demonstrate critical reading and writing skills
                 
Course Requirements:
  • ·       Read each assigned text.
  • ·       Participate in class discussions.
  • ·       Follow NCCC attendance policy.
  • ·       Respond to the readings both in writing and in class discussions.
  • ·       Identify and apply literary and analytical theory to various works.
  • ·       Compose essays using textual evidence to explore literary themes and support claims  about the meanings of each text.
  • ·       Complete all writing assignments, quizzes, and other work as assigned.


Grading and Expectations
Quizzes:  Students will complete reading quizzes. 

Papers: You will write three (3) critical papers about the literature we study in class.

Final Exam:  You will complete a final exam for this course in June.

Attendance:  Please see attached attendance policy from North Country Community College.

Communication:  If you are absent from class, please go to my blog to see what you missed.  If you have further questions, or if you need help, please send me an email: aspicer@lpcsd.org
Please follow the rules of standard English in your emails. 

Homework: Homework is due at the beginning of class (unless otherwise noted).  Late homework may be accepted, but points will be taken off for each day it is late.  I reserve the right to refuse homework after a period of time.

Evaluation:  Grades will be based upon your performance on exams, quizzes, writing assignments, homework and class participation.  The percentage weights of each category are as follows:
                  Homework, Quizzes and Class Participation: 30%
                  Critical Essays: 45%
                  Final Exam: 25%
Class Conduct:  We have a great deal of work to do this year without any time to be pulled of track by disrespectful and unnecessary behavior.  In my room, you will treat each other and me (as well as substitute teachers and guests) with respect.  In turn, you will also be treated that way.  Negative comments and unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated.  This is your one and only warning.  If you do disrupt the class you will deal with the administration, your parents and me.

Technology Use in Class:  If you have a laptop or tablet, you may bring it to class.  Please leave your cell phones in your binder/bag unless otherwise directed. 

Online citizenship:  Do not post/share anything on the internet that would not be acceptable in class.  When in doubt, leave it out or see me for guidance.

Academic Honesty:
                                Cheating is the willful misrepresentation of any part or all of another’s work as                                 one’s own. . . Plagiarism in all of its forms is cheating. . . Students have an                                 obligation to themselves and to their fellow students to uphold the integrity 
                                of their institution.  (State University of New York)

Any cheating will result in a zero on the material, a referral to the office, a note in your personal folder and a call to your parents.  Integrity and character are more important than an unearned grade.

Support Systems:
                  * Me
                  * Your parents/ guardians
                  * Mrs. Hammaker
                  * Mr. Wood



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