Course Syllabus

AP Literature 2021 Syllabus

Gary Hokit

Classroom: 113

Gmail: gary.hokit@mcsd.org

Office Hours: Before/After School; by appointment

Website:

Phone: I will give you my personal phone number when class starts because I trust you. I will turn it off at some time every evening and much of the weekend. BUT- I am a compulsive e-mail checker, so you can always leave a message. Class time is sacred, so I will not have my phone on during any class time. My priority is to the people I am with (or in this fall’s case) those in class online.

General Education Objectives Addressed in This Course

The following have been chosen from the list of General Education Objectives shown in its entirety in the Colorado Mesa University Catalog:

OBJECTIVE 1--Students will be able to think critically and creatively

OBJECTIVE 2--Students will be able to communicate effectively in the English Language

Course Objectives

• Demonstrate comprehension of content knowledge through effective written communication;

• Develop and demonstrate rhetorical knowledge focusing on an academic situation, audience, and purpose;

• Develop experience in the writing processes;

• Develop proficiency in employment of writing conventions such as structure, organization, grammatical and syntactical correctness, vocabulary, and documentation;

• Develop ability to critically read and write about academic texts.

• Develop and demonstrate speaking and listening skills

• Develop and demonstrate critical thinking and reasoning skills

• Develop and demonstrate Information Literacy and Research skills

Required Texts

I prefer reading from hardcopy texts, so you won’t have to look at screens all the time and can take penciled notes in them. I will check these out asap even if we have to do that in the parking lot. Don’t worry; we will only use excerpts from the following texts and I will post what days you need them.The

I WILL CHECK OUT:

Bedford Introduction to Literature Michael Meyer

ONLINE:

Purdue Online Writing Lab MLA Formatting and Style Guide

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/1/

Purdue Online Writing Lab General Writing Resources

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/1/

Class Rule: Be kind and humble.

This applies to ALL BEHAVIOR, ON and OFFline, so you will need to be present online with video and audio unless I tell you to turn them off. School dress code and your background are treated as if you are in school. I have been instructed to just shut you off if there is a problem and we will talk later.

Our together-time is sacred and classroom rules apply.

Note: Practical online issues for Spring 2021. You will always be able to turn things in online, but I will try to schedule due dates flexibly with your A or B cohort if you have questions or need help. Hardcopy is an option. I will be flexible, but you are accountable.

Load each week’s work down so you can still work on it if there are internet problems. Internet problems get you out of nothing, so talk to me asap if there is a problem.

Course Description:

Our “Essential Question” is borrowed directly from Socrates. How can I live to be “happy”? (eudaimonia). Socrates suggests that the path to happiness is living a good life. How do we do that?

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote that we must continually ask ourselves what “good” is. Plato, the student of Socrates emphasizes that we must strive for excellence (arete) and to “know thyself “ (Gnothi Seauton). Don’t worry, we will keep it in English for the most part.

Our focus and assessment will be on the “process” of writing across content areas. The Fall Semester/ block quarter will serve as an introduction to Academic Writing, beginning with Academic Habits of Mind and Inquiry, then moving to the fundamentals of Academic Writing.

Required Materials

You will need a three-ring binder specifically for this class and plenty of three-hole punched, college ruled paper. It may be a good idea to have 5-tab Index dividers to keep your notebook organized. I will post readings online or take them from the text, but I like to print a hard copy myself and use a physical folder.

We will use Google Apps for Education in this class, primarily Gmail, Google Classroom, Google Drive and Google Docs. You will need to use your assigned MHSLEAD.ORG account for the course. All course materials and readings will be available digitally on Google Classroom; unit plans, contact information, and general documents will be posted on my website. You will also turn in your work through a Shared Google Drive Folder.

Course Requirements

You must have read and be ready to discuss the reading when you come into class. I will usually provide you with printed copies of all assigned texts, however, if you miss class or misplace your printed text, all texts are available through Google Classroom and my Hokit Website.You may use an electronic device or laptop in class to access the readings.

Since this is a college class, the expectation is that you will keep up with all course work in a timely fashion, paying close attention to all due dates. Failure to be prepared for class because you did not do the reading or writing assignments will result in a 0 for that day’s work. Continual lack of preparation will result in a letter grade deduction for the course at the instructor’s discretion. If you are having difficulty keeping up, please see the instructor for help and make arrangements to get caught up.

Assignments and readings for this course will be mostly web-based, using Google Drive; as such, please make sure that you have access to a computer and to an internet connection. If you do not have access to either a computer or internet at home, you will need to plan ahead and use the Library Lab computers at MHS, or, perhaps, the community library’s computers, or use your iPad anywhere you can find a free wi-fi connection.

• You will receive no credit for late assignments without prior arrangements and approval from the instructor. Assignments will be marked down one full letter grade for everyday they are late.

• All assignments, drafts, and readings are due at the beginning of class.

• If you miss class, it’s your responsibility to see me about making it up in a reasonable time frame.

• Keep a copy of everything I give you, and Save all assignments in Google Drive; Google Drive and Docs automatically saves everything, so there’s always a way to recover something that appears ‘lost’. ‘The computer ate my homework’ will not be accepted as an excuse!

Grading Categories:

Writing to Learn:This fall is an unusual situation, so my grading will reflect an emphasis on daily low-risk (academically) assignments culminating in 3 formal essays and the final written exam.

I will use cumulative grades with an emphasis on our growth over the quarter blocks (semesters).

Your final grades will be weighted approximately by the number of points I award for each assignment.

1. Journals on a google doc shared with me in a google folder.

2. 3 formal essays from now until October 16.

a. Literacy Narrative A 3-5 page personal narrative discussing an important literacy event in your life (models will be provided).

b. Literary Response (3-5 pages) I will work with your choice of topic and your thesis.

c. Description (3-5 pages) They Say, I Say, So What? Argument Essay

This is a 3-5 page essay that responds to an essay, article or video of your choice using the “They Say, I Say, So What?” template for responding to the ideas of others. It will have a minimum of three sources/quotes, and a Works Cited page. There will be a rough draft, peer review, and revision.

3. 1 written final exam. DSA.

4. Supplemental grammar and vocabulary quizzes. (Quizlet)

5. Attendance and participation. (biweekly)

Journal- approximately 30%

In your Google Drive—Fall Turn-In Folder, you will create a Document called “ Journal First & Last Name”. These will be less formal in style.

Formal Essays- approximately 40%

These will be turned in both online and in hardcopy. MLA expectations will apply, and they will be google searched for plagiarism. (Not worth it)

Final Written Exam: 10%

On the day of our final, you may use your Binder Notes as a record of all you’ve learned, thought about, and how you’ve progressed throughout the semester. Written in class or live online reflection of yourself as an academic writer and reader. This is called a DSA—Descriptive Self Analysis.

Editing Exercises and Academic Vocabulary/ Attendance and Participation: I will probably roll these 2 items into approximately 10-20% or your grade. It will include actively participating in-person or online, attending class, fun quizlets over academic knowledge and vocabulary, and editing exercises as needed.

In-Class and Homework Assignments

I model my approach to reading, annotating, and writing. So, I will do some early assignments with you to demonstrate methods. As we move through the 1st ¼ / semester, more of this will be turned over to you as homework or work for your online week depending on your cohort.

These will be shared in your “Journal” folder and may consist of prompted free-writing assignments, responses to our readings, or pre-writing for the formal essays. I will do some of these with you, on some you may collaborate with a group in your cohort, and some will be individual. Late work is always 50% and must be turned in no later than a week from the original assignment, but I will also stagger some due dates to line up with when your cohort is in person.

Annotations of Readings:

This is probably the skill that will benefit you the most across content areas in college. I will model it for you, provide a guiding document, and eventually make it part of your grade.

Notes:

This skill will also save you in college. I will provide you with a Cornell template, my samples, and instructions on how to take notes.

Participation/Discussion

This category involves three things: 1) Work Ethic: show up, meet deadlines, demonstrate effort, work well with others, keep up with readings; 2) Participate: speak up in class, engage in small group and individual work, ask questions, seek help, advocate for yourself; 3) Discussion: contribute in meaningful ways to class discussions, whether formal or informal, small group or whole class, in person or in Zoom.

Attendance/Punctuality

For you to fully participate in this course, you must be present. Explaining to your professor why you missed class does not change the fact that you could not participate. I expect you to attend class every day, unless you have an emergency. If you miss more than five classes with unexcused absences, FOR ANY REASON, you will receive an "F" in the course. I do, however, reserve the right to make instructor-initiated withdrawals. Two late arrivals will count as an absence.

Civility Statement

Because this class needs to be a participatory community if students are to fulfill their potential for learning, people who disrupt the community by their words or actions will not be tolerated. Rude, sarcastic, obscene, or disrespectful speech and disruptive behavior have a negative impact on everyone's learning. Using cell phones, text messaging, email, headphones, or any other device that takes your own or others’ attention away from class will be considered disruptive behavior. When a person disrupts or disrespects the class and/or its instructor in any of these ways, the course instructor will remove and may withdraw the disruptive person from the class.

The success of the course is dependent upon students participating in discussions and activities. Refusal to participate in all aspects of the class harms everyone. Failure to do the reading and other assignments on time also hurts everyone. If you are unwilling or unable to constructively participate in good faith, the course instructor reserves the right to initiate your withdrawal. If the withdrawal period has passed, you will receive an "F" in the course.

Civility, aside from pertaining to the behaviors above, also applies to spoken (i.e. all conversations whether over the phone or in person) and written (i.e. any notes, letters, email, etc.) communications. Civility must be extended at all times to your professor, to other professionals at the college/high school, and to your fellow students; “at all times” refers to the time spent both in and out of the classroom, on campus and off. Failure to adhere to civil communications and behaviors will result in your withdrawal or an "F" for the class. The teacher reserves the right to determine what constitutes disrespectful speech and/or disruptive behavior, and to act accordingly.

Note that the possibility of any negotiations pertaining to unacceptable behaviors and communications is purely at the discretion of the course instructor and is not guaranteed; nor should the offending student believe he/she is entitled to such negotiations.

Laptop, iPad and Phone Use

A laptop, iPad, or smartphone can be a useful tool for note-taking or other course related activities. The teacher will initially assume that students are mature and respectful enough to use laptops appropriately in class. If a student is found to be using a laptop, or smartphone, for non-course related activities during class time, she or he will be asked to stop. If the student continues to violate the class policy concerning laptop usage, she or he will be no longer allowed to use the laptop, or smart phone, in class, may be asked to leave the class and/or the instructor may remove the student from the class and the student will receive an"F".

Computer Lab/Device Use in Classroom

1. You must work on your writing the entire class period. If you finish the assignment, you can still work on your writing. Writing is a process of rewriting. If you receive a perfect score on your assignment, then I will consider letting you work on something else.

2. You may not surf the web, write emails, use your cell phone, or other electronic devices, or disturb other people.

3. If you do not abide by the rules, I will ask you to leave and you will be counted absent. That will be your one warning. After that, you will receive an “F” in the course.

Academic Integrity

You must carefully document any words or ideas that are not your own. Borrowing others’ words or ideas without citing them is considered theft. It is a very serious offense. Serious forms of plagiarism will be reported and may result in suspension or expulsion from college. Lesser forms of plagiarism will result in an "F" in the course or on the assignment.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

· Cheating: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise.

· Fabrication: Intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.

· Facilitating academic dishonesty: Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to commit an act of academic dishonesty.

· Plagiarism: Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another, as one's own in any academic exercise.

Gmail and Google Drive

Please use Gmail to contact me at gary.hokit@mcsd.org OR gary.hokit@mhslead.org

We will use Google Classroom and Drive extensively as both a repository for course materials and as a method of turning in work via the Turn In Folder. We will create folders for you at the beginning of the year. The majority of your assignments will be done using Google Docs and saved in your Turn In Folder so I can view and comment on your work.

We will use Google Classroom as an interface for the course, where I will post assignments and announcements. I will also post material in my “Hokit” then “Concurrent English” website. It is sometimes easier to find material here than Google Classroom. You can also retrieve any class materials, including handouts, readings and assignment criteria sheets if you are absent, and this will allow your parents to see what you should be working on.

Email and Grading Turn Around

I will respond to emails within 24 hours.

Grading will usually take no more than two weeks; I will notify you in class when grading has been finished so that you can view your comments in Google Drive and Infinite Campus.

Controversial Material

The college level course contains some controversial material. Students will be expected to intellectually engage with this material in a mature manner. When we discuss political issues, we will refrain from advocating for or against any current political candidate or party. We will focus on issues, not political figures; however, you should feel free to express your views provided they are expressed in a respectful and polite manner while respecting the views of others that may conflict with your own.

College Course Work Load Expectations

It is expected that students will spend at least two hours on out of class work for every hour spent in the classroom. Since we are meeting daily for 90 minutes more work will be completed in class. Since you have less classes per block now though, expect 4+ hours of homework per week.