Dystopian Literature Teacher: Mrs.

Derdiger
2016-2017 Course Syllabus Email: sara.derdiger@has.hc.edu.tw
Textbook: Course Novels (see course
materials)
Schedule: 3rd Block B Days

Course Description
Dystopian Literature will explore the many tell-tale signs of a Dystopia through literature from a variety of time periods.
We will read novels and short stories, discussing the purpose and intent of reading and writing dystopian literature,
dystopian literature as a social commentary, and dystopian literature as a warning. We will also read news articles and
essays about issues being presented in the novels, which are also present in the real world. Over the course students will
become skilled in identifying features of a dystopia and will conduct an independent learning unit at the course’s end,
demonstrating their understanding of the course content.

Learning Objectives
 Identify elements of dystopian literature
 Explain an author’s purpose in writing a work of dystopian literature
 Link events within a novel to historical or present events within the world
 Analyze the use of dystopian elements within a novel
 Design their own dystopia
 Argue that a student selected work of non-fiction is a dystopia

Required Materials
● Course novels: Anthem by Ayn Rand, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, V for Vendetta by Alan Moore, Do
Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood, The Hunger
Games by Suzanne Collins, On Such a Full Sea by Chang-rae Lee
● Student selected non-fiction novel
● Pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters
● Notebook and paper
● A binder or folder
● Electronic dictionary (if needed)
● Laptop and headphones are highly recommended
Course Schedule*
Unit Topics and Readings Unit Assessments Duration
Themes
Unit 1 Intro to Dystopian Lit. Do Androids Dream of Cube assignment: Student Choice 9 Weeks
Dystopian Science Fiction Electric Sheep by Philip K.
Totalitarian Government Dick (1968)
and YA Dystopian Lit. The Hunger Games by
Dystopias and why they Suzanne Collins (2008)
scare us
Unit 2 Elimination of the Self Anthem by Ayn Rand Essay: The elimination of 7 Weeks
Elimination of Knowledge (1938) knowledge OR the elimination of
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray the individual in dystopian
Bradbury (1953) literature.
Unit 3 Big Brother revisited V for Vendetta by Alan Comparison Essay: Film v. 4 weeks
Realistic Dystopias Moore (1988) Literature
Unit 4 When the Hero…Isn’t. The Handmaid’s Tale by Project: The role of the hero OR 10 Weeks
The ease of creating a Margaret Atwood (1985) women in dystopian literature
Dystopia On Such a Full Sea by
What comes after us Chang-rae Lee
Dystopias so realistic you
can feel them
Unit 5 What qualifies as a Independent Novel study: Student choice assignment: What 6 weeks
Dystopia? Non-Fiction makes your non-fiction novel a
Dystopias in our current dystopia?
world
*Course schedule subject to change

Grading Policy
Grades are calculated according to the category weights listed below:

Unit Assessments: 30%

Homework: 30%
Classwork: 30%
Participation: 10%
Participation will be graded using ClassDojo.com and students will be expected to create an account and register in the
class using the code given by the teacher.

Quarter 1: 50%
Quarter 2: 50%

Assignment Policy
Assignment instructions and deadlines are posted regularly on RenWeb. Students are expected to check RenWeb each
day for assignment postings, class announcements, and other updates from the teacher. Students are also expected to
complete and submit assignments according to assignment instructions as posted on RenWeb. Parents will be able to
access all this information through the parent portal.

All assignments should be completed and submitted before the deadlines as posted on RenWeb. Submitting
assignments late will immediately result in a 10% penalty. Any assignment submitted more than two weeks late after
a deadline may not be accepted for credit.

All assignments that are submitted on RenWeb must be saved in the following format:
Assignment Title, Class Abbreviation, Last Name, First Name
Ex. AnalysisPaper, DystopianLit, DerdigerSara

Academic Integrity
Academic dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, will not be tolerated. Assignments or exams that show
evidence of cheating or plagiarism will not be accepted and will receive no credit. Serious incidents of academic
dishonesty will be subject to immediate disciplinary measures.

All assignments submitted in this class must exhibit a student’s original ideas and language. Information that is
borrowed from other authors and sources must be properly cited in MLA format. Failure to attribute ownership to
rightful authors is considered plagiarism (as this is fraudulently claiming ownership of another’s
work). Misappropriation of an artist or peer’s work and/or published images also constitutes plagiarism. Any work
that makes use of another artists’ work and/or published images must show substantial development beyond
duplication.

Behavior Expectations

CLASSROOM CONDUCT
All students are expected to respect each other, the teacher, and the classroom learning environment. This includes:
● Arriving to class on time (seated at your assigned desk with all of your materials before the bell is finished
ringing at the start of class and at the end of break time). Students who arrive late to class without an excused
pass, will be marked tardy. Tardy students are subject to the punishments outlined in the student handbook.

● Following classroom rules and procedures as outlined by instructor

Be safe.
Be respectful.
Be responsible.

● Following behavior policies outlined in the HAS Student Handbook.

DEADLINES
Aside from excused absences, NO excuses are accepted for late work. If assignments are submitted to RenWeb,
students should prepare backup copies elsewhere online or on a USB in the event that a submission does not upload
successfully.

Students absent from class are expected to meet with the teacher the next day they are present in school to establish
new deadlines for their makeup work. Students absent on days assignments are due must submit their assignments the
next class day.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES
With the exception of electronic dictionaries, no electronic devices can be used in the classroom without the permission
from the teacher. At all times, students are expected to be attentive and prepared to participate and communicate with
their teacher and peers. In order to maintain an engaged and productive learning environment, students are not
allowed to wear earphones/headphones during class. In addition, earphones and headphones are not permitted in the
classroom and should be stored in students’ lockers.

Many assignments and class activities will require students to use computers and access the Internet. Though school
computers can be utilized for this purpose, it is highly recommended that students bring a personal laptop or other
portable computer to school. Because using smartphones are prohibited in the classroom, the use of laptops will be
permitted on a regular basis.
Devices or accessories being used without permission will be confiscated for the duration of the class period or entire
school day, at the teacher’s discretion.

CLASSROOM CLEANLINESS
No food or drink (except water) may be consumed or brought into the classroom at any time. Students may bring
water bottles to class. Any other food or drink found in the classroom will be confiscated.

DISCIPLINARY MEASURES
Failure to comply with class or school policies and expectations may result in one or more of the following, depending
on the frequency and severity of the infraction:
● Meeting with teacher outside of class to write an action plan.
● An email home to parents.
● Detention after school.
● Meeting with parents and school administration.
● Suspension from school.
● Other measures as deemed appropriate by the school administration.