Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition

1. Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition “We shall not cease from exploration. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”T.S. Eliot

2. Course Overviewfrom College Board’s AP Central AP English 12: Literature and Composition • follows the precepts of the College Entrance Examination Board • “includes intensive study of representative works from various genres and periods, concentrating on works of recognized literary merit” • accompanies reading with “thoughtful discussion and writing about literature in the company of … fellow students”

3. Honor Code “Rather fail with honor than succeed by fraud.” – Sophocles Each student should honorably fulfill his or her obligations for this course on a daily basis. These obligations include • completing all reading assignments by the assigned date • preparing assignments independently • studying for assessments • avoiding plagiarism on any level • completing all assessments without outside assistance (unless expressly approved by the teacher) • maintaining individual integrity

4. Academic Integrity Cliff, Monarch, Spark or any other sorts of “notes” are explicitly NOT allowed in the classroom. These items are often used as a replacement for reading rather than a supplement to reading. I strongly urge you to end your dependence on these sources if you have acquired such an addiction. If you do not understand what you are reading, write down questions and bring them to class.

5. With Honor • You will be required to sign all assignments and assessments with the phrase “With Honor” in order to signify your continued adherence to the course’s Honor Code. • Unsigned papers will NOT be graded. • If for some reason you are unable to sign with honor, a note detailing the reason is required.

6. Course Pillars from College Board’s AP Central • Reading: “both wide and deep” • “work from several genres and periods” • “read both deliberately and thoughtfully” • “reflect on the social and historical values” • “experience… interpretation… and evaluation of literature” “In short, students in an AP English Literature and Composition course read actively. The works taught in the course require careful, deliberative reading. And the approach to analyzing and interpreting the material involves students in learning how to make careful observations of textual detail, establish connections among their observations, and draw from those connections a series of inferences leading to an interpretive conclusion about a piece of writing’s meaning and value.”

7. Course Pillars from College Board’s AP Central • Writing: “focus on critical analysis of literature” • “includes the elements of style” • “develop[s] stylistic maturity… which is characterized by • a wide-ranging vocabulary used with denotative accuracy and connotative resourcefulness; • a variety of sentence structures, including appropriate use of subordinate and coordinate constructions; • a logical organization, enhanced by specific techniques of coherence such as repetition, transitions, and emphasis; • a balance of generalization with specific illustrative detail; and • an effective use of rhetoric, including controlling tone, maintaining a consistent voice, and achieving emphasis through parallelism and antithesis.”

8. Course Objectives • To strengthen note-taking, listening, and organizational skills • To create polished written works • To improve public speaking abilities through presentations and graded discussions • To analyze assertions and determine validity • To increase critical thinking skills • To develop confidence as a reader and writer • To enhance understanding and enjoyment of literature

9. Grading Policy • Grading is on a total point system. • Tests, essays, projects, homework, and class work are assigned a point value. • Larger assignments or more important assignments will carry correspondingly larger point values; this reflects the “weight” of an assignment.

10. Late Work Policy • In an effort to reward diligence while allowing for occasional lapses, the following point deductions will be given to assignments not received by the due date: One day late = 25% point deduction Two days late = 50% point deduction Over two days late = No credit given • Assignments are due at the start of the class period. Any assignment not turned in at the appropriate time is automatically considered late. Please respect this policy and the reasons for it by not asking for extensions or special treatment.

11. Absences / Make-up Work • If a student is absent, it is the student's responsibility to arrange a make-up session. The student must do this within two (2) days of his or her return to class. • No assignments or assessments of any kind will be accepted for unexcused absences. A good attendance record is imperative for success in this course.

12. Course Expectations • Respect yourself, others, and the material we study. • Be prompt, prepared, and participatory. • Be honest and considerate.

13. Materials • Loose-leaf paper • Binder with the following sections: • AP Essays • Multiple Choice practice • Vocabulary • Literature (subsections for Poetry, Drama, and Novels) • Post-it notes • Highlighters • Pens / pencils • Novels as assigned • One ream of 8 ½ x 11 white copy paper (for handouts and various readings)

14. Signature Slip • Go to the class webpage to read over this course introduction • Share the course introduction with your parent • Both you and a parent sign the signature sheet and return by Monday, August 17