Advanced Placement Literature/Composition is a college-level course that emphasizes critical reading and analytical thinking and writing. By enrolling in this course, students have committed themselves to a program of reading and writing on a level above that of the advanced high school senior. Students may choose to take the AP exam in the spring or enroll in USI's College Achievement Program (CAP) to earn dual credit from USI at a reduced tuition rate. To learn more about the CAP program, go to the "College Achievement Program (CAP)" page under the "Home" tab.
The AP Spirit
AP Spirit - an intense energy and enthusiasm for learning - is expected from all students. A spirit of peer cooperation and a willingness to take a leadership role is expected when working collaboratively with classmates.
Respect, response, and responsibility are the three ideas that set the tone for our community of learners. We will respect our ideas and the ideas of others. We will respond thoughtfully to each other and will accept responsibility for our own learning and actions.
Respect, response, and responsibility are the three ideas that set the tone for our community of learners. We will respect our ideas and the ideas of others. We will respond thoughtfully to each other and will accept responsibility for our own learning and actions.
Text and Content
The required texts for this class are
The course approaches literature by genre: short story, poetry, novel, and drama. Because thoughtful, informed discussion of literature forms the basis of our class, being prepared for each class is ESSENTIAL. If you have not read and reflected upon the piece of literature under discussion, you will not be able to contribute effectively to the discussion, nor will the contributions of others be very relevant to you. Informed discussion is the best way to understand and analyze each piece we read. Second semester, we will use 5 Steps to a 5 to prepare for the AP exam.
- The Bedford Introduction to Literature, Tenth Edition
- 5 Steps to a 5, AP English Literature [students who are not enrolled in CAP]
The course approaches literature by genre: short story, poetry, novel, and drama. Because thoughtful, informed discussion of literature forms the basis of our class, being prepared for each class is ESSENTIAL. If you have not read and reflected upon the piece of literature under discussion, you will not be able to contribute effectively to the discussion, nor will the contributions of others be very relevant to you. Informed discussion is the best way to understand and analyze each piece we read. Second semester, we will use 5 Steps to a 5 to prepare for the AP exam.
Netbooks and Electronic Devices
Because we strive to be a "paperless" course, your netbook is a vital educational tool. However, when used for social media, gaming, or unrelated Internet surfing, netbooks can be a distraction and can negatively impact your performance in class. You are expected to make responsible choices regarding netbook use in this class.
In consideration of myself and your classmates, please keep your cell phone and other electronic devices out of sight during class.
In consideration of myself and your classmates, please keep your cell phone and other electronic devices out of sight during class.
Assessment
In-class timed writings, out of class papers, and tests make up the bulk of the course assessments. Four-level sentence analysis provides a review of the elements of grammar combined with sentence combining strategies. We will follow with a study of punctuation as a function of grammar and a focus on improving writing style. A detailed syllabus outlining all reading assignments, assessments, and due dates is posted on this Weebly site each nine weeks.
Graded work is evaluated using points and weighted grading categories. The grading periods in a semester are cumulative. The 1st semester and 2nd semester final exams each count 20% of that semester's course grade. Students who elect to take the AP Literature exam exempt the 2nd semester final. For students enrolled in ENG105 through CAP, the final grade for ENG 105 will be determined by averaging the 1st and 2nd semester course percentages.
In the pursuit of being a “paperless” course, all assignments are submitted, evaluated, and returned through Haiku . All course materials are posted as document files on this Weebly site.
Graded work is evaluated using points and weighted grading categories. The grading periods in a semester are cumulative. The 1st semester and 2nd semester final exams each count 20% of that semester's course grade. Students who elect to take the AP Literature exam exempt the 2nd semester final. For students enrolled in ENG105 through CAP, the final grade for ENG 105 will be determined by averaging the 1st and 2nd semester course percentages.
In the pursuit of being a “paperless” course, all assignments are submitted, evaluated, and returned through Haiku . All course materials are posted as document files on this Weebly site.
1st Semester Grading Categories
1st Nine Weeks
Literature Assessments (55%) - papers, tests, quizzes, presentations 4-Level Sentence Analysis (15%) VirtuaLit Exercises (10%) Reader Responses / Curriculet (10%) AP Exam Practice Questions (5%) Allusions in Literature (5%) |
2nd Nine Weeks
Literature Assessments (55%) - papers, tests, quizzes, presentations Punctuation as a Function of Grammar (15%) VirtuaLit Exercises (10%) Reader Responses / Curriculet (10%) AP Exam Practice Questions (5%) Allusions in Literature (5%) |
2nd Semester Grading Categories
1st and 2nd Nine Weeks
Literature Assessments (70%)
- papers, tests, quizzes, presentations
Writing Style / Sentence Combining / Punctuation (10%)
AP Exam Practice (20%)
- practice questions, allusions, practice essays
- papers, tests, quizzes, presentations
Writing Style / Sentence Combining / Punctuation (10%)
AP Exam Practice (20%)
- practice questions, allusions, practice essays
Plagiarism
Any evidence of plagiarism, presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own, results in failure for the specific assignment and an office referral, which may result in loss of citizenship. If the plagiarism involves a student presenting as his or her own the work of another student, both students will receive a 0 for the assignment and a referral. You must do your own work.
In accordance with USI policy, students enrolled in the CAP program will be removed from that program should a second instance of plagiarism occur.
In accordance with USI policy, students enrolled in the CAP program will be removed from that program should a second instance of plagiarism occur.
Late Assignments and Make-up Work
I expect assignments to be submitted by the date and time indicated on the syllabus and dropbox. Assignments on the due date but past the designated time receive an initial 10% deduction with a 10% deduction for each additional day it is late (up to 50 percent). Assignments submitted after the due date receive an initial 20% deduction with a 10% deduction for each additional day it is late (up to 50 percent).
I expect you to initiate your own make-up work. Any time you miss part or all of a class for any reason, you should check the syllabus, this Weebly site, and with classmates. See me with questions. Work missed due to truancy may not be make up.
If you are absent on the day of a test or in-class writing, you may have an alternative make-up assessment.
I expect you to initiate your own make-up work. Any time you miss part or all of a class for any reason, you should check the syllabus, this Weebly site, and with classmates. See me with questions. Work missed due to truancy may not be make up.
If you are absent on the day of a test or in-class writing, you may have an alternative make-up assessment.
High School Attendance Policy - as posted on EVSC website
A student is expected to attend school regularly to derive maximum benefits from the instructional program.
Possible Consequences of Irregular Attendance:
After students miss 10 days, they and their parent(s) may be notified of the need to attend a pre-court conference. At that time, legal notice is given. Students who miss additional days of school after the pre-court conference are required by Indiana law to have a medical statement from a physician or be seen and possibly sent home by the school nurse. Failure to follow this law will result in a referral to Child Protective Services or Juvenile Court, depending upon the circumstances and the age of the student. There can also be a pre-court conference called if the student has missed 5 consecutive days (habitual truancy).
Students may have credits denied for excessive truancies. This is not automatic but at the school administrator’s discretion and based on individual circumstances. Continued truancies may also result in loss of a driver’s license or work permit.
Possible Consequences of Irregular Attendance:
After students miss 10 days, they and their parent(s) may be notified of the need to attend a pre-court conference. At that time, legal notice is given. Students who miss additional days of school after the pre-court conference are required by Indiana law to have a medical statement from a physician or be seen and possibly sent home by the school nurse. Failure to follow this law will result in a referral to Child Protective Services or Juvenile Court, depending upon the circumstances and the age of the student. There can also be a pre-court conference called if the student has missed 5 consecutive days (habitual truancy).
Students may have credits denied for excessive truancies. This is not automatic but at the school administrator’s discretion and based on individual circumstances. Continued truancies may also result in loss of a driver’s license or work permit.
Contact Me
Email me at [email protected] or through Haiku with your questions or concerns.