| Course Expectations » Modern Literature
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Modern Literature
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MODERN LITERATURE COURSE OUTLINE SHRINER email: nshriner@interact.ccsd.net PHONE: 799-4400 EXT 70020085 Course Scope This one-year course will emphasize the development of contemporary literature. It will develop critical judgment and understanding of relationships, especially as they reflect complex modern society. Modern Literature will emphasize writing both as a means of self-expression and as formal communication. This course will fulfill either the third or fourth English credit required for graduation. Course Objectives 1. To explore the universal development of the modern short story and novel. 2. To develop an understanding of contemporary major literary movements. 3. To trace the development of contemporary literary movements. 4. To recognize cross-cultural origins in contemporary literary “isms.” 5. To assess drama as a reflection of modern society. 6. To assess the impact of film as a literary experience. 7. To extend literary interpretive skills to the poetic form. 8. To develop writing skills as they apply to formal writing. 9. To extend expression through the creative writing process. 10. To develop research skills through writing. 11. To apply concepts of honesty, integrity, responsibility, and ethics from contemporary literature to situations expressed in writing and oral presentations. 12. To respond to the writings and ideas of others with tolerance and respect. 13. To judge the validity of literary works utilizing critical thinking skills. 14. To extend expression through oral communication. State Standards The Nevada State Standards are included for your information to reflect what the state expects a student to have learned by graduation. These are the State Standards for the 12th grade, and these are the standards that will be stressed in this class. 1.0 Students know and use word analysis skills and strategies to comprehend new words encountered in text. 2.0 Students use the reading process skills and strategies to build comprehension. 3.0 Students read to comprehend, interpret, and evaluate literature from a variety of authors, cultures and times. 4.0 Students read to comprehend, interpret, and evaluate informational text for specific purposes. 5.0 Students write a variety of texts that inform, persuade, describe, evaluate, or tell a story and are appropriate to purpose and audience. 6.0 Students write with a clear focus and logical development, evaluating, revising, and editing for organization, style, tone, and word choice. 7.0 Students write using standard English grammar, usage, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. 8.0 Students listen to and evaluate oral communications for content, style, speaker’s purpose, and audience appropriateness. 9.0 Students speak using organization, style, tone, voice, and media aids appropriate to audience and purpose. 10.0 Students participate in discussion to offer information, clarify ideas, and support a position. 11.0 Formulate research questions, use a variety of sources to obtain information, weigh the evidence, draw valid conclusions and findings. General Course Outline First Semester – Pre-test Literary Terminology Short Story Unit A Separate Peace “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” Fantasy Introduction Alice in Wonderland A Christmas Carol The Dark Crystal The Neverending Story Author’s Chair (individual and group presentations) Essays to include: narrative/personal, expository, and literary analysis. Journal Writing The Hobbit Second Semester – The Hobbit Book of the Dun Cow Mystery in Play and Film Hound of the Baskervilles Witness for the Prosecution Turn of the Screw Dracula Inherit the Wind 2001: A Space Odyssey Author’s Chair (individual and group presentations) Essays to include: persuasive and narrative Journal Writing continued Possible Additions: “The Children’s Story “The Third Wave” Field of Dreams Rebecca The Bad Seed The Haunting The Haunting of Hill House The Thing, The Day the Earth Stood Still, The Man From Planet X, Forbidden Planet Materials Required: Students must come prepared to class each day with plenty of paper and a pen/pencil, as they will write in class every day. Students must also come prepared with journals each day that they attend class. Essays: Since there will be a number of essays assigned each quarter, students must be prepared to turn-in essays on assigned due dates. Since the due dates are set in advance on these papers, no late papers will be accepted. No late papers will be accepted unless a major crisis has occurred—I will require proof of the crisis. Tests and Quizzes: There will be several tests and quizzes each quarter. In addition, there will be numerous, unannounced reading quizzes each quarter. Since most test and quiz dates are announced in advance, students will be expected to make-up the test or quiz immediately upon return. If you are absent for an unannounced quiz, it is “unmakeupable” for loss of participation points. The teacher will not remind students of make-up tests. Students must make-up all tests within 5 days upon return. Journals: ½ PAGE for each topic provided at start of class. 8 ½ by 11 COLLEGE-RULE paper SINGLE spaced If you are absent, you must write a journal for that date as well. Journals are collected randomly and will not be accepted lated. Any type of threats or insults directed to any person will be immediately referred to a dean. Make-up work: After any excused absence, it is the student’s responsibility to collect make-up work. The student must supply a parental written confirmation of the absence within three (3) days in order to receive credit for the missed assignment. Any assignments that were due the day of the absence must be submitted the day the student returns to school. Failure to do so will result in no credit. Students will have one (1) make-up day per day absent for assignments. Any student who misses an examination will have five (5) days to make up the missed exam before or after school only, not during class time. Any student who has an unexcused absence will be given the make-up work upon request, however, no credit will be given. Student’s with unexcused absences are entitled to make-up work, but will not receive any credit for participation work due to their truancy. Behavior Expectations: Students in this class are expect to: Ø Come to class prepared and on time. Ø Respect yourself, other students, and the teacher. Ø Students will understand that there is ZERO tolerance for vulgar or obscene language in class or in writing. There is also zero tolerance for vulgar or obscene gestures. Attendance Policy: Attendance is an essential part of the classroom experience. Excessive absences can adversely affect your grade. Consistent with the Clark County School District’s attendance policy and the Nevada Revised Statute, students who exceed seven (7) unexcused absences will not earn credit. Tardy Policy: It is the student’s responsibility to come to class on time. Please note that all tardies will have a negative effect on your participation grade for this class. Please note the following progression of loss of points for this class: Tardy 1 – Students will lose 5 points Total: 5 points Tardy 2 – Students will lose 10 points Total: 15 points Tardy 3 – Students will lose 15 points – automatic ‘U’ Total: 30 points Tardy 4 – Students will lose 20 points Total: 50 points Tardy 5 – Students will lose 25 points Total: 75 points Tardy 6 – Students will lose 25 points Total: 100 points Total points lost for six (6) tardies is 100 points. This will result in the reduction of your grade by one full letter. The school also has a tardy policy referred to as TIE (Timliness Is Expected). This will be strictly enforced in this classroom. There are no exceptions. If you are detained by an administrator , you must obtain a pass from that person. Please also note that teacher’s are not permitted to hold student’s after class and write a pass to the next class. I do not accept passes from other teachers. Grading Scale: All assignments will be given a point value. Grades will be computed on ten- percent increments according to the following scale: 100-90% A 69-60% D 89-80% B 59% and below F 79-70% C Participation: Participation is an integral part of this course. It includes all of the following, but is not limited to, arriving on time, class discussions, oral presentations, etc. This will constitute twenty percent of your quarter grade. Students with excessive absences, either excused or unexcused, will have reduced participation points. Also, please keep in mind that citizenship grades are not given, they are earned. Additional Notes: ² No food or drink is allowed in the classroom at any time. (Exception: water) ² Any electronic device will be confiscated and turned into the dean’s office for appropriate action. ² The bell does not dismiss this class. No student will be dismissed until all students are seated at a desk. Students lined up at the door or out of their seat will delay dismissal of the class. ² PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! Any incident of plagiarism will result in a zero for the assignment and a “U” for the nine weeks. There are no exceptions to this rule and the teacher will strictly enforce it. Please consult your CMHS student handbook for more information if required. Website Information: Students will have access to my web page. I will post class assignments on this site. If you do not have a computer at home, you may also use the computers in the library before/after school or during lunch.
Literature with Shriner
Cimarron-Memorial High School
2301 N. Tenaya
Las Vegas, NV 89128
702.799.4400
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