This one-year course acquaints students with a variety of genres and literary forms within the context of world literature. We will study works from (but not limited to) South American, African, Middle Eastern, Asian, and European authors and cultures. Students will continue to develop proficiency in the English language through extensive reading comprehension and literary analysis, studying and following the writing process to produce personal and argumentative essays, and developing their fluency and language usage augmented by 21-century technology new and digital literacies. Students will continue to develop their ability to discuss and critically analyze fiction, personal, and academic writing and continue to build competence with literary concepts. The course furthers students’ reading and writing proficiency by engaging in independent-choice, book club, and whole-class reading and building writing skills with daily writing practice and process. Further, the course builds on students’ understanding of how writers develop various themes drawing on moral theories, literary genres, and literary and cultural archetypes beyond the Eurocentric canon. The course also builds critical knowledge of culture, vocabulary, and rhetorical strategies through an ongoing unit of articles of the week and ongoing independent reading. Writing instruction continues to stress the writing process and writing community, with a focus on developing a personal writing style in the essay. Listening and speaking skills are developed through small and large group discussions, individual conferences, and oral presentations in various presentation modes. Students will be afforded opportunities for creative writing. Grammar is taught within the context of writing and vocabulary including the study of root word meanings, synonyms and antonyms, analogies, and usage, and within the context of reading and writing.

Most work will be assessed using a holistic rubric which will be available on Canvas. This allows students to assess their work and make the necessary edits to obtain the maximum grade possible. It also provides a clear framework for giving and receiving feedback. Your progress and final grade for each semester will be calculated as follows: 

This class promotes the Saint Jeanne Charism in all we do - in fostering friendships, acting in justice, and learning for a lifetime. To achieve these values centered on exemplifying the love of Christ, your educational experience will incorporate the school’s Integral Student Outcomes: Like Mary, Live out your yes to God, extend your hand and maintain the flame. 

Students are expected to follow all policies listed in the Parent-Student Handbook and classroom rules and procedures established in class to create and maintain a healthy environment that fosters academic and personal development. However, please note that in this class: 

• Excused late work will be evaluated as usual with no repercussions to the grade. Students who have an excused absence get an additional day; per day they missed school. However, students representing the school at an academic or athletic event must notify the teacher about their absence as soon as possible via email to be eligible for extra time, otherwise, the assignments will be marked as late. Any extenuating circumstances will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

• If your assignment is not turned in to Canvas before the scheduled time, it is late. Students can meet with me during Office Hours until the assignment is completed. Please know that late homework and classwork will be penalized 5% per day it is late, unless excused by the teacher. This will automatically be calculated by Canvas. 

• Once a unit is over, late or missing work will not be accepted. Due dates will be shared at the beginning of each unit to help students organize their time better. Any extenuating circumstances will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

• Students who score 70% or less on a test are eligible for test retakes or test corrections only if a parent or guardian signs the test. 

• There is little to no extra credit or extra assignments available for this class. Some activities may grant extra points which may be used to improve passing test scores.

• Academic integrity is a vital element of the learning process, and plagiarism (of any kind) will not be tolerated. Some behaviors included in this category are: 

  • • Using unauthorized notes or cheat sheets on a paper, your person, or technology. 

    • Using generative Artificial intelligence tools to complete assignments, and failing to cite them or acknowledge their use, will also be considered cheating. 

    • Turning in an essay—in part or whole—obtained online or from a classmate, parent or other relative as though it is your own work. This includes turning in an essay created by any Artificial Intelligence platform. 

    • Failing to provide citation for text or artwork sources, digital or otherwise, used in your own work (this includes presentations and visual aids) --this includes summaries and outlines and other forms of generative AI assistance. 

    • Unauthorized collaboration on assignments or projects.

• Students are expected to take care of the school-issued computers, being careful not to damage, leave them unattended or modify the system in any way. All communication must be respectful and live up to SJDLS standards of integrity and behavior.