ACS

American Cultural Studies

Welcome to American Cultural Studies!

Please see the syllabus below for more information on this course

Our Mission

At ConVal High School, we have opportunities to grow and learn, both individually and as an inclusive community. We strive to be respectful and show compassion for others. We work to be creative thinkers and problem solvers who communicate and collaborate in an effort to take responsibility for our learning. As we build resilience in a safe school environment, we also commit to developing skills and tools to become civic-minded citizens.


English 11: American Cultural Studies

Course Description

This core course for eleventh graders will introduce students to the major ideas and concepts of American culture, historically and in the present culture. Students will reflect on the American experience in literature, media, film, and their own writing. Along with a focus on speaking and listening, students will continue to build their proficiency in the Common Core State Standards of reading and writing.


Learning Objectives/Competencies

Students will be able to:

  • Reading: read a variety of literature fluently and critically that will promote learning in all disciplines.

  • Writing: develop writing skills for a variety of purposes and audiences, essential across all disciplines for effective communication.

  • Information Integration: gather relevant & reliable information for purposes, and present information in diverse formats, such as writing and visual presentations

  • Speaking/Listening: effectively communicate an argument using appropriate evidence and descriptive language.

  • Process: plan and implement a process for in-depth learning and creating high-quality products to demonstrate skill and knowledge.


Required Texts, Resources, and Materials

  1. Primary Texts: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, The Crucible by Arthur Miller, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien.


  1. Supplemental materials (texts, photos, videos, audio): Will vary per teacher discretion


  1. Film Resources: Students may view: The Glass Castle (2017); The Crucible (1996); The Color Purple (1985); and The Great Gatsby (2013), various interviews, music videos, and clips from supplemental films.


Requirements and Assignments:

  • Common Assessments: Assesses student growth in writing skills over the course of the semester

    • Timed Pre-Writing Essay

    • Timed Midterm Essay

    • Timed Final Essay


  • Additional unit formative and common summative assignments as determined by the instructor.



Grading Procedure:

Formative Assessments

  • “Check-ins” we do to determine where students are in the process of learning.

  • Formative assessments are required, and students are expected to complete all assigned work. Formative assessments are accepted for credit up to 14 days past the due date. Students requiring an extension need to discuss an alternate timeline with the instructor.


Up to 15% of term grade

Summative Assessments

  • The “final” opportunity a student has to demonstrate mastery of skills and concepts.

  • These assessments may be repeated to demonstrate further mastery with teacher approval; however, you MUST submit your work on the due date in order to be eligible for a re-do.

  • Quarters are NOT averaged together. You will continue accumulating points all year so that your final grade is based on the TOTAL points for the course, not an average of the two quarters.


Up to 70% of term grade

Final exams/projects

  • Culminating end of the semester reflection portfolio

15% of overall course grade





Communication Protocols: Information is primarily shared with students via Google Classroom. All

digital assignments MUST be submitted via Google Classroom (not e-mail or shared documents) unless provided on paper. Please email with questions or concerns, but time-sensitive issues should be addressed by a phone call to the main office.


Attendance Policy and Procedure: Please reference School Board policy JH (Attendance, Absenteeism, and Truancy) as well as the pertinent sections of the 2022-2023 Student Handbook (sections Student Code of Conduct> “Attendance,” pp. 17 ff, and Athletics and Co-Curricular Activities (Clubs)>“Academic and School Attendance Expectations,” pp. 35 ff).


Electronic Device Procedure: The ConVal electronic device procedure is in effect during class regarding cell phones, Chromebooks, and other electronic devices as described in the 2022-2023 Student Handbook (p. 20). Students are not allowed to bring to class and/or attach to the school network any personal electronics, including laptops.


Academic Honesty and Plagiarism: Please reference the 2022-2023 Student Handbook (p. 20).


Signatures: Please sign and return this syllabus to the teacher, OR email your instructor with your receipt of this document to indicate you have received and acknowledge this course syllabus.



______________________________ ________________________________

Parent/Guardian Student Name




Building & Classroom Expectations


Bathroom/Water break: One student is allowed out of the classroom at a time to reduce the amount of students in shared spaces. Students are required to use an online hall pass system: e-hall pass. Students will be trained to use the software that allows for digital passes. Bathroom/water breaks are fewer than 5 minutes and students are expected to use the 400-level bathrooms near the library unless otherwise requested for pre-established reasons. Additionally, students should not be leaving to use the bathroom during instruction. A typical class will have times of independent practice, during which requests to take a break can be made.


In the classroom: Students and teachers are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and honest

manner. Both teachers and students are responsible for coming to class prepared and willing to participate. Students are also expected to come to class with their school-issued chromebook charged. Paper copies of assignments will not be provided for most assignments because there are some assignments that cannot be replicated on paper. If a student is unable to complete assignments in class because they are unprepared, they will need to complete those assignments on their own time.


Students demonstrate a willingness to participate by giving their attention, curiosity, and best effort. Sleeping during instruction and classroom activities is unacceptable. If a student falls asleep, a request will be made that they sit-up and stay awake. If falling asleep becomes a repeated habit, there may be a teacher-issued consequence, and communication will be sent home. If a student is unable to stay awake after an initial request, they will be asked to go to the nurse so that their health can be taken into consideration. If a student refuses to go to the nurse, administration will be called to support the student.


Phone Policy: We will be adhering to the school-wide phone policy and consequences.


Absences and make-up work: If a student is absent, it is their responsibility to meet with me at an appropriate time (TASC or before class time) to ask about what they missed or check Google Classroom. Extensions for deadlines will be determined on an individual basis, but students are expected to keep pace with the coursework in the event of an absence.


I encourage students to take the responsibility of getting schoolwork and assignments in advance if they know they are going to miss school for an extended period of time. Also, if email is available, students can email me at aharris@conval.edu and ask for the missing assignments as they can often be shared electronically or accessed through Google Classroom.




*This statement is a reflection of the policies of the ConVal School District and refers to, but is not limited to, the provisions of the following laws: Title IV, VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504), The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and NH Law against discrimination (RSA 354-A).


Please see the high school website for the contact information of the individuals who have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies.