Syllabus:
FORT COLLINS HIGH SCHOOL
World Literature and Composition
Instructor: Kyla Hanson Phone: (970) 692-3323
Email: kylah@psdschools.org
Office Hours: 1st, 8th and Fridays 8:30-9:00 + class time.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
World Literature and Composition 5412 – This course provides students with a foundation in reading and writing skills necessary for completion of a comprehensive standards-based high school curriculum. The course integrates the teaching of writing with the study of literature. Students read a substantial selection of world literature including short stories, novels, drama (including Shakespeare), non-fiction, and poetry. Writing is based on the Common Core Standards. Students produce expository, narrative, descriptive, persuasive, technical, and creative writings. At FCHS: This is a prerequisite for US Literature and Composition (11th grade English).
COURSE OBJECTIVES/CONTENT:
Instruction in this course will focus on the following teaching and learning objectives: semantics, short stories, novels (book club selection, outside book choice), plays, poetry, essays/grammar, and speeches (Basic Speech is embedded).
ESSENTIAL LEARNINGS/GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS:
Oral Expression and Listening
Deliver organized & effective oral presentations for diverse audiences and varied purposes
Demonstrate skill in inferential and evaluative listening
Reading for All Purposes
Read a wide range of literature to understand important universal themes & the human experience
Engage in a wide range of nonfiction and real-life reading experiences to solve problems, judge the quality of ideas, or complete daily tasks
Interpret how the structure of written English contributes to the pronunciation and meaning of complex vocabulary
Writing and Composition
Effectively use content-specific language, style, tone, and text structure to compose or adapt writing for different audiences and purposes
Master the techniques of effective informational, literary, and persuasive writing
Apply standard English conventions to effectively communicate with written language
Research and Reasoning
Use primary, secondary, & tertiary sources to generate & answer research questions
Demonstrate the use of a range of strategies, research techniques, and persistence when engaging with difficult texts or examining complex problems or issue
COURSE LEVEL:
This course is open to Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors who have completed English 9 at a satisfactory level.
COURSE INSTRUCTION:
World Literature and Composition is taught using a combination of lecture, reading, writing, and discussion and will also include independent research, group projects, speeches, and audio-visual presentations.
COURSE CONTENT:
This course will include short stories, novels, plays, essays, articles, poetry, and various audio and visual sources related to the units of study (see year overview). In addition, basic speech is embedded in this class. Films and film selections may be used to supplement content up to a PG-13 rating (accommodations can be made if necessary).
REQUIRED SUPPLIES:
Due to the current situation, students will likely only need reliable and consistent WiFi, a computer, and the physical/electronic course resources provided by FCHS. We will do our best to provide accommodations for those who need them.
GRADES:
Letter grades are earned by the student based upon the following percentage of possible points: 100-90% = A, 89-80% = B, 79-70% = C, 69-60% = D, >60% = Failure. Total points possible include numerical evaluations for homework, quizzes, projects, tests, essays, in-class activities, and comprehensive, final examinations. There may be periodic opportunities for extra credit throughout each semester.
COURSE OVERVIEW:
World Literature and Composition will cover the following units over the course of the year—Global Cultures (European, Latin American, African, Asian), Language, Persuasion, Argumentation, and Critical Analysis. Each unit will integrate literature (short stories, poetry, novels, or plays), non-fiction (essays, articles, speeches), writing/research, and speaking/listening.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Students will adhere to all FCHS policies and the Poudre School District ‘Code of Conduct’ at all times to include, but not be limited to, the following:
1. Attendance – Students must attend class to receive the greatest benefit from instruction and class interaction. Students who miss class are never able to completely make up missed work. Nevertheless, students with excused absences will be allowed to make up work according to Poudre School District policy. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor – outside of class – to complete missed assignments. Students with an unexcused absence may make-up work for no more than half credit.
2. Participation – Each student is responsible for participating in class discussions, making presentations when assigned to do so, and contributing to the learning environment of the class. In order to fulfill his/her responsibility, it is necessary to be in class, on time with all materials and the assigned reading(s).
3. Assignments – Students are responsible for coming to class prepared. All assignments are due at the start of the class on the date the assignment is due unless otherwise specified. Please consult Google Classroom for due dates. Late work must be submitted before quarterly deadlines (October 13, December 21, March 10, and May 26). Opportunities for revision of major writing assignments should be discussed with your instructor. Any electronic homework should be completed on paper, photographed, and emailed to an instructor IF your laptop goes down, you do not have internet access at home, Google crashes, or another technological disaster strikes.
Course Technology Expectations
Digital literacy is a valued skill at FCHS and essential for post-secondary readiness in the 21st century. This course has a technology expectation that students come to class prepared with school issued technology devices every day. Failure to come to class prepared may result in loss of credit for assigned work during that class period.
Students are expected to:
· fully comply with the PSD User Agreement, PSD Notebook Computer Handbook, PSD Code of Conduct and district policy JS - STUDENT USE OF DISTRICT COMPUTERS, E-MAIL & INTERNET ACCESS.
· make sure their district issued device is fully charged, in working order and ready for use each day. If not charged, then they should bring their charger to school or use the school charging stations in the media center. If their device is not working, it must be turned in to the technology department for repairs. It is the student’s responsibility to check out a loaner device until the assigned one is repaired.
Academic Dishonesty:
Each student is required to do his/her own work. Plagiarism and/or cheating will not be tolerated, and if detected, will result in disciplinary referral and action. The Fort Collins Student Handbook outlines the consequences for cheating and plagiarism, and the instructor will, with the assistance of an administrator, implement the policy. A first incident of plagiarism and/or cheating will result in a zero. Additional incidents may result in suspension or expulsion from school. Please consult the Handbook for the full text of the consequences for academic dishonesty.
Open Door Policy:
I welcome you to come and talk to me about any questions or concerns you have regarding class. Teaching English is one of my passions, and I love working with high school students. I am here to help you, so please meet with me during my office hours or schedule an appointment. We will be using a lot of technology this year, so always feel free to ask questions via email, Microsoft Teams, or the Remind app.
This policy statement serves as your contract for this class. Remaining in this class means you are responsible for knowing and following the above policies.