Mrs.

Horne - Clawson High School

Email: Kelly.Horne@clawson.k12.mi.us
Website: HorneCHS.weebly.com

Contemporary Literature
Course Syllabus (2014-15)
This English elective course will fulfill the first semester English 11 or English 12 credit requirement.

COURSE CONTENTS:
Contemporary Literature is a one-semester course in which you will explore the themes of contemporary novels and
examine the issues of our complex, modern world while emphasizing literacy skills. Encouraging the exploration of,
and response to, contemporary, high-interest texts from various genres and cultures, this course is dedicated to those
readers who may have struggled to understand or enjoy more traditional literary classics in prior English classes.

TEXTS:

STUDENT MATERIALS NEEDED:

We will be reading novels, shorts stories, memoirs,

poems, essays, editorials, newspapers and magazines
that supplement writing activities over the course of the
semester.

Folder with pockets OR 3-ring binder

Notebook of college-ruled paper for Writers
Notebook
A writing utensil every day

GOALS/OBJECTIVES:
Students will
identify and analyze theme in prose and provide evidence from the text to support their understanding
understand unfamiliar perspectives, independently research unknown or confusing materials, and draw
inferences from literature
identify and analyze the structure, elements, and stylistic devices of fiction and nonfiction and provide
evidence from the text to support their understanding
use creative and critical thinking strategies and skills to generate original and meaningful products
develop writing skills using a variety of prompts and exercises designed to challenge assumptions,
encourage critical thinking, and promote effective and creative writing

EVALUATION:
Assessments 80%, Assignments 20%
- Assessments include tests, quizzes, papers and projects
- Assignments include daily bell ringers, class work, group work and homework
Each assignment is given a point value based on length and difficulty.
Grading Scale:
A = 100-93% B+ = 89-88%
A- = 92-90%
B = 87-83%
B- = 82-80%

C+ = 79-78%
C = 77-73%
C- = 72-70%

D+ = 69-68%
D = 67-63%
D- = 62-60%

E = 59-0%

Credit for class is earned by Semester grades NOT Marking Period grades
1st marking period grade (40%) + 2nd marking period Grade (40%) + Mid-Term Exam (20%) = Semester Grade

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
Bell Ringers: grammar, vocabulary, critical thinking and standardized test examples
*If a student is absent or tardy for class, he/she will not receive points for the bell ringers that day
Formal and informal writing
Projects through technology
Lecture with notes
Small and large group discussions
Tests and quizzes
Presentations
Group projects
Individual projects
Mini-lessons
Peer editing
Videos and analysis
Vocabulary journals

ATTENDANCE:
Good attendance and punctuality are essential for success in this course. Attendance is taken within the first 5
minutes of every class, and students are expected to be on time and prepared for class every day. The intent of this
course is not to punish students who are ill or have family emergencies but instead emphasize the importance of
class attendance and provide for greater student accountability for make-up work.

ABSENT and LATE WORK:

ABSENT WORK: If a student is absent on the day an assessment or assignment is due, the student should be
prepared to take the assessment or turn in the assignment on the day he/she returns to class. It is the responsibility of
the student to gather all materials missed on the day of his/her absence and submit those missed assignments
within 2 days of absence. Make-up work for unexcused absences is not available.
All tests/quizzes missed because of an absence or tardy must be made up before or after school with Mrs. Horne, not
during class time.
LATE WORK: Any work not turned in at the time it is due will receive only half credit
(50%). This includes assignments completed in class after I have collected it.
EXTRA CREDIT: Students may not earn extra credit unless all of their assignments are
turned in. Extra credit will not be offered on an individual basis.

HOMEWORK POLICY:
Much of the homework will be work not completed during class, but there will be some homework assigned on a
weekly basis. This homework will be checked periodically through (and sometimes unannounced) quizzes. If there
are special circumstances please see the instructor BEFORE the assignment is due. Any student not completing
homework/assignments is expected to make up that work before the final assessment for the unit and only will be
able to retake assessments if all assignments are completed. Students need to make up this work before and after
school with Mrs. Horne or at Scholars Club.

PERSONAL READING TIME (PRT):

Included on selected days of the week will be student independent, or Personal Reading Time (PRT). Students will
be expected to bring in reading selections of their choice or choose from the classroom or school library. Books and
novels are strongly suggested, or otherwise approved reading materials are acceptable.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS:
In upper-level English courses, we strive for RESPECT and RESPONSIBILITY on the part of the students. Cell
phones can be an educational tool and will only be used in the classroom for educational purposes with teacher
approval. I-Pods, or equivalent, are acceptable during independent work time ONLY. All Clawson High School
rules and regulations listed in the student handbook will apply in this classroom.
Plagiarism is unacceptable and will result in a zero for the assignment and/or the semester course. Please use
Purdue OWL resource if you are not sure how to cite information correctly.

Expect to WORK HARD. Expect to BE CHALLENGED. Expect to LEARN.

Contemporary Literature Syllabus Mrs. Horne

Please review the material and expectations and return to indicate your understanding and
acceptance. This is your students first graded assignment due on Friday, January 23, 2015.

Reading Contemporary Literature:

The literary selections of the contemporary strand are, in the broadest sense of the word, considered
modern as they break from traditional forms. Therefore, this strand includes literature considered to be
among the must reads of a literate culture; however, the influences of the contemporary strand are
steeped in a modern sensitivity tempered by social constructs and made self-conscious by psychology.
With modern literature comes modern thinking and modern problems including profanity,
sexuality, pre-marital sex, drugs and alcohol, gangs, violence, suicide and homicide. Your student
will be reading and discussing these issues in this class.

Personal Reading Time (PRT):

Students will be responsible for completing Personal Reading Time throughout the semester that will
require them to read novels classified as Young Adult Literature or College Bound Literature. When
feasible, they will also receive weekly class time for reading. Students may choose their own titles, so
please ask your child about the issues discussed in the book. If for any reason you or your child
have a problem with the book he/she has chosen, please talk with him/her about it, and ask him/her to
find a book that makes you both more comfortable. A public library card is strongly recommended for
maximum options.

Technology Component:
Students will be responsible for completing many assignments on a computer. There will be ample class
time for these assignments to be completed, but there will be instances where a student will need to use
a computer after school hours. Scholars Club (with computer access) is available every Tue-Thu from
2:45-4:15 and computer labs are open in the morning per student request. Having a working home
computer with Internet access is recommended but not required for student success in this class.

_______________________________
Students PRINTED NAME

___________________________________
Parent/Guardian PRINTED NAME

_________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature

______________
Date

Parent Email __________________________________________________________

(I will periodically send classroom information to you through this email as well as
communicating about your students progress)
Anything you think I should be aware of: