|
Justice In Literature Mrs. Cathy Pike Email:pike@lansingcatholic.org Website: sites.google.com/site/mrspikespage
Overview:
This course allows the student to use literature to explore the issue of justice in a number of different settings both geographic and historic in nature. We will read, watch and research important justice issues such as capital punishment, racism, sexism, medical ethics, and other contemporary political issues. To accomplish these goals, each unit will use literature as well as film as a jumping off point for our discussions, writing and projects. We will draw heavily on the students’ theology curriculum and encourage them to form conclusions regarding modern justice.
Course Content:
By the end of the year the students will be able to address the following questions:
-What is justice? How does our faith help us clarify that answer? -How does each piece of literature help us to interpret that question? - How can the answer to the first question change so radically, yet apparently reasonably, from situation to situation? Should it change? -What influences help us to define justice for ourselves? For the world? - How do authors’ use of literary devices and designs help us or hinder us as we endeavor to answer these questions? -Do justice issues change over time, or are people still struggling with the same basic questions? -What role, if any does the rapid advance of technology play in justice? -What can people do to see that justice is achieved?
In order to answer these questions, students will be expected to:
Read. In addition to reading a variety of poetry, prose, fiction and drama, I expect students to cultivate a rich reading life. Reading outside of class and outside of school allows students to expand horizons and experience and contemplate many aspects of life they may never consider.
Write. Writing a variety of essays and creative pieces will improve the ability to communicate. The critical essays, creative pieces, and research projects we write (and write and write!) allow students to refine last year’s skills as they become effective communicators. We will also undertake some less formal writing in blogs and journals that each class will develop.
Participate. It is essential to the learning process that students make an effort to participate fully and completely in class. Sharing ideas, learning to support your thoughts in lively classroom discussion and working as part of a team all contribute to education. We will learn more together than apart.
Materials:
Literature and Language (textbook) A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Night by Elie Weisel The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee The Divine Comedy by Dante The Chamber by John Grisham (summer reading)
Films: A Time to Kill Schindler’s List War Games
Students will also need a dedicated notebook (probably two or three before the year is over!) and a pen or pencil. From time to time I will be asking students to print literature from a computer link so it is important that students have access to a computer and printer as well. Please let me know if that is not the case.
Many of our papers will be submitted electronically (through email) so each student will need to maintain a functioning email account. Additionally, students should have a usb flash drive in order to store all papers and downloaded materials.
Classroom rules and expectations:
-Being in the correct seat when the bell rings (not near it – in it!). -Being prepared. Always bring a pen or pencil and a notebook dedicated to literature. Bring the correct book to class. If you are unsure of which book to bring, check the website. -Being respectful of others in the class. -Doing the work. Students can’t get by with book notes – do the reading. (Notice how, again, I’ve stressed reading as a factor for success for this class? In literature that’s called a theme!). If Sparknotes (or any like product) are found in class or school they will be confiscated. Do your own reading, do your own thinking! -Finish homework (which is mostly reading). Do the writing when it’s due, not the week before the quarter ends. Work that is not turned in on time will have ten percent deducted for each day that it is late with a maximum deduction of fifty percent. Students struggling with an assignment should submit the work completed on the day it is due. Then we can discuss the best steps to take to master the material and turn in the assignment. -Take and retake tests in a timely manner. If you are absent on the day of a test the test must be made up within two days of the absence. Students who received below a 75% may retake their test. There is a window of one week -If absent, check the website first for what was missed and ask any clarifying questions. -School rules are school rules. Chewing gum will earn a detention. Out of dress code will earn a detention.
Though we teach our students about plagiarism and work to avoid its use in the classroom, our technological society makes it increasingly difficult for many students to discern the appropriate use of information. We at Lansing Catholic High School define plagiarism as follows: 1) Plagiarism is the copying of another’s work without citing the original source. We use the standard of several consecutive words to define copying; 2) Plagiarism is using the ideas of another and representing them as one’s own. Even when paraphrasing such ideas, one must give appropriate credit to the original author (all students are taught the appropriate MLA method of citation); 3) Plagiarism is also common in classroom speeches. Reading directly from another author’s work without giving credit is plagiarism. The consequences of plagiarism at Lansing Catholic High School are outlined in the student handbook. The first offense includes a zero for the assignment as well as the possibility of ten hours of service and/or a one-day suspension. Penalties become more severe as subsequent incidents occur. Grading and assessment:
-Critical essays – five paragraph essays are worth fifty points. Students who receive less than a 75% on a paper can rewrite that paper for up to an 85%. The rewrite must be submitted within a week of receiving the graded paper. All papers must be submitted in the MLA format (don’t worry, you learned that last year and we’ll review it again this year!) -A research paper – the final paper is worth one hundred points. The paper will be graded in sections returned to the student so the final copy will be considered the rewrite. (Still that pesky MLA format). -Speeches (both solo and group presentations) – twenty five- thirty points -Quizzes – quizzes are usually worth twenty to twenty five points -Tests- weigh in from fifty to sixty five points. Students who receive less than a 75% on a test have the option to schedule a retake for that test. The retake can earn up to 85% for that test. Students are responsible for scheduling the retake and must do it within one week of receiving the graded test. The higher of the two scores will be entered into the grade book. The tests will not be identical but will cover the same content. -Projects – are valued between fifty and seventy five points -Daily work – reading quizzes are worth five points each and since we take them almost every day they add up! -Homework – worth five to ten points with the exception of reading. There is no homework value for assigned reading, yet it still must be completed. Without reading, the daily quiz grade will dry up. Moral of the story? Do the reading. -Extra credit will only be offered to students who keep an outside reading journal. I will check the reading journals three times during each quarter and students will be awarded up to fifteen extra credit points per quarter for maintaining the journal and reading outside of school.
The work will be evaluated and graded using a straight scale (no curving!). To determine your grade, add up the total number of points you have earned and divide it by the total number of points possible. This will give you your percentage. The percentage determines your letter grade. The school scale is as follows:
A 100-92% A- 90-91% B+ 88-89% B 82-87% B- 80-81% C+ 78-79% C 72-77% C- 70-71% D+ 68-69% D 62-67% D- 60-61% E 0-59%
Please note that the class website contains the most current information for due dates and class work. Make it a habit to check the website AT LEAST once a week.
Anticipated Calendar Please note that the website calendar supercedes any of these dates
Students in this class need to practice writing and submitting the work. To that end we will do much of the writing (and even some of the reading!) in class. Though students will have reading homework and some research homework the writing will be very structured and generally completed in class. Hopefully, this will bring you a new level of confidence and sense of accomplishment as concerns your writing.
|