Course Syllabus

Course Overview: 

English IV explores the changing social and political landscape of England from the early Anglo-Saxons to the modern age. We will look at how literature reflects these changes and compare them to our own social structures. 

Honors level courses will also focus on college-level analysis and writing, and students will grow their skills in critically reading, analyzing, and synthesizing in essays both inside and outside of class and in class discussions and presentations. 

Materials Needed:

A notebook for notes & a folder for handouts (We will be doing Cornell notes for class notes and for outside reading)

Pens / pencils

UCPS issued Chromebook

Grading: 

I use a total points method of grading, so if, in a given six weeks, you earn 650 out of 700 points, that’s a 93. 

Practice activities: 5-20 points - These are small assignments wherein you practice skills. 

Comprehension: 25-50 points - These demonstrate understanding and application and are based on previous practice. 

Published Works: 60-100 points - These are long term projects or papers that you’ve had ample opportunity to perfect or revise. 

Class Expectations: 

Be on time - I close my door at the bell. If you are not in the room, you are late and must get a pass. This includes bathroom trips and lunch. Please refer to the school handbook for the new consequences for tardies.

Be prepared - Have your necessary materials with you, including your computer. 

Be respectful - Treat your classmates and me the way you would like to be treated. 

Be clean - Pick up after yourself and cooperate to keep the room free from trash and clutter

Be attentive - Limit distractions, especially phones. I will take your phone after a warning if it proves too distracting.

Be honorable - Please note our school handbook as it pertains to cheating and plagiarism. If you are academically dishonest, this will result in a referral and a zero for the assignment. 

Be adaptable - Own your mistakes and view critical feedback as an opportunity to grow. 

Late Work: 

The work I assign is purposeful, so I’d obviously prefer you do it; therefore, I do take late work up to a point. You will lose a percentage of the grade for lateness. The Canvas grade book is set up to automatically record a zero for an assignment that is past its due date. After the deadline, Canvas will deduct 5% per day off your grade. If you communicate a conflict with me ahead of time, I can override this deduction. I will not accept assignments more than 2 weeks late unless there is a specific reason. 

Revisions:

I firmly believe that you learn best by revising and correcting. Any writing piece you do may be revised in a timely manner. For major papers, you would need to conference with me before you revise. Revision is NOT merely correcting grammar. Real revision involves reworking large parts of your paper. 

Major Works:

Students have the opportunity to choose as a class which major texts we will read in the semester. They have the following options: 

Romantic Gothic options: Frankenstein or Dracula

Satire options: Pride and Prejudice or The Importance of Being Earnest