Mr.

Boswell Lincoln High School Room 2104

zboswell@lusd.net non-confidential voicemail: 953-8508 British and World Literature 2011/2012 Course Syllabus
COURSE DESCRIPTION

The British and World Literature course at Lincoln High School is designed to address the appropriate 12th grade English/Language Arts standards set forth by the California Department of Education. These standards are addressed through a survey of influential and important works of British authors, including genres such as short stories, novels, plays, biographies, essays, and poetry. Pieces are also selected from various influential authors from around the globe. Some major works will be covering include Beowulf, Macbeth, and 1984. In addition, students will participate in written and oral language activities and assignments that will support the development of their ability to effectively use the English language in all its forms. Ultimately, the goal of this course is to develop the students higher-level critical thinking skills that will address the California English/Language Arts content standards and prepare the student for the level of intellectual rigor necessary to be successful and responsible citizens in the workforce and in higher education. Expected Schoolwide Learning Results (ESLRs) After reviewing the mission, current profile, and academic standards of the school, Lincoln staff and students affirm the following vision of student achievement. They define what all students should know, understand and be able to do be graduation: Productive Citizen: Students will create a portfolio of written work and reading assignments. Resourceful Producer: Students will learn to reflect upon their own learning. Independent Lifelong Learner: Students will discover their own areas of reading interest. Decision Maker: Students will be given creative freedom within multiple assignments. Effective Communicator: Students will learn to effectively use the English language verbally and in written form. CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS The classroom is a place where students will be developing the necessary skills to become successful adults in higher education and in professional environments. For this reason, it is expected that all students will behave in a respectful and professional manner. A basic outline of this philosophy is set forth in the following 4 classroom rules:

1. 2. 3. 4.

Respect all people in the classroom Come to class prepared Participate fully in all learning activities Follow all school policies

Student behavior that takes away from the positive learning environment that these rules seek to obtain will be dealt with through teacher/student meetings, teacher/parent contact, and/or administrative disciplinary procedures when necessary. ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION Grades will be earned by students through their participation and performance in a variety of activities and assignments in and out of the classroom. These activities and assignments will include, but are not limited to, homework and daily assignments, written and standards-based tests, in-class and at-home essay assignments, individual and group projects, spoken language activities, reading assignments, and overall participation in classroom learning activities. WEIGHTED GRADING CATEGORIES 40% ---Essays, essay process (10% Each) 25% ---Test/Quiz/Project 25% ---Homework, Classwork, Participation 10% ---Final Exam

GRADING POLICY PERCENTAGE EARNED 90%-100% 80%-89% 70%-79% 60%-69% 0%-59% LATE WORK Students are expected to complete all assignments on time. Unless a student has an excused absence, most late work will be given credit (25%). Certain assignments will not be accepted late, such as group presentation work, poem readings, etc. LHS LEARNING RECORD Along with other forms of assessment, the English Department evaluates all students through the Learning Record. At the end of the year, students are placed on reading and writing scales based on the work in their portfolios. This authentic assessment helps to better inform teachers and students what each students needs and how each student is progressing. Through this record of work students are also able to evaluate their own progress. They may also keep pieces of work from other classes in there, since this portfolio will follow them throughout their high school career. Aeries GRADING SYSTEM Parents and students can get User Name and Passwords to the Aeries grading system from the office. It is expected that students and parents will be monitoring student progress on a regular basis, and the use of Aeries is an incredible tool for doing so. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY The Academic Integrity Policy outlined in the Lincoln High School Student Handbook will be strictly enforced. In order to fully comply with this policy, students will need to have an email address in so that they can turn their papers in to turnitin.com, a plagiarism detection website. LETTER GRADE A B C D F

NECESSARY SUPPLIES Students need to have a thee-ring binder for keeping their notes, calendar, and assignments and binder paper. This can be shared with other classes, as long as there is a clear, separate, section for British Literature. In this class we will use a great deal of binder paper, and it will of course be necessary to bring pens and pencils every day. Please be prepared to use these items on a daily basis.

--Zack Boswell

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