Welcome to Honors American Literature

• 2019-2020 Class Syllabus •

Mr. John Stephan • Room 214 • jstephan@gehrhsd.net • (609) 593-3560 x5800 The legacy of America is a legacy of traditions—trends, themes, and issues that have occurred throughout our history. The literature of America reflects these traditions, serving as a record of the conflicts, failures, and triumphs of a country and its people. This course will explore various literary works in United States literature both before and after Realism. Literary analysis and interpretation, American English grammar, and the writing process will be emphasized in class assignments. This course will consist of in-class discussions, out-of-class reading assignments, short quizzes, es-says, and tests.

• Daily Required Materials • 1½” -2” three-ring binder with 8 index dividers (solely for

this class—you will have notebook checks!)

dividers should be labeled: QODs, Unit 1, Unit 2,

Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6, and Vocabulary

white binder paper

blue or black ink pens

any books as assigned

• Textbook • Holt McDougal Literature: American Literature

(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

• Supplemental Readings • Include, but are not limited to:

The Crucible (Arthur Miller)

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain)

Our Town (Thornton Wilder)

Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck)

The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)

• Grading • The grading system for this course will be on a point

scale. All class assignments and activities will be assigned a point value out of which your grades will be determined. You will periodically receive a spreadsheet of your individual grades for assignments.

If you have a question or concern about your grade, you must make an appointment with me after class, during lunch, or be-fore or after school. Be sure you bring an upgraded grade re-port with you to the appointment.

Please do not ask me about your grade during class time.

• Grading Scale •

A+ 100-97

A 96-93

A- 92-90

B+ 89-87

B 86-83

B- 82-80

C+ 79-77

C 76-73

C- 72-70

D+ 69-67

D 66-63

D- 62-60

F 59/Below

“The test of literature is, I suppose, whether we ourselves live more intensely for the reading of it.” -Elizabeth Drew

• Extra Help • If there is anything you need help with, at any point

during the year, please do not hesitate to come to me. This is a difficult class for many students, so please take

advantage of the opportunity for extra help.

• Google Classroom • Period 1 h7fpw8n

Period 6B qwgblhf

• Discipline Policy •

1st Offense Verbal Warning

2nd Offense Phone Call Home

3rd/Subsequent Offense(s) Referral

Classroom Policies/Procedures • Late Work •

Essays and other large assignments or projects (work assigned at least two days in advance) will be due on time (at the beginning of the period) whether you are present or not. You must make arrangements to get the assignment to me when it is due. If you are ill or cannot attend school for any reason on the day an assignment is due, the assignment needs to be submitted on the day you return.

Daily Assignments—no credit given Essays—go down one letter grade per day; no credit after 3 days

All other Assignments—go down one letter grade per day; no credit after 3 days

• Makeup Work • For regular daily assignments (other than projects or essays),

you have as many days to make up the work as you have been “excused” for your absence.

I will not pursue you about your missed work; you must check

the make-up work folder to obtain the missed work and get any notes or explanations from a trusted classmate. For assignments that cannot go home, you are expected to make arrangements to make them up during lunch or before/after school.

Note to all those who are involved in extra-curricular activities:

Your schedule is especially demanding, but missed assignments or late work will not be excused. Be responsible. Plan ahead!

• Electronic Devices • Electronic devices are to be kept in students’ backpacks.

Devices should not be out during class, unless otherwise instructed by the teacher or with permission. Occasionally, we will use cell phones in class for instructional purposes. Any electronic devices out without permission will result in a loss of participation points and potential disciplinary consequences. Students are also expected to comply with the district’s policy regarding electronic devices as stated in the Parent/Student Handbook:

“Although electronic devices can be positively utilized in the academic

environment, they should, at no time, be used for photography. Furthermore, the

use of electronic equipment that in any way interferes with the educational

process or school environment is prohibited. Students are allowed to utilize one

earbud while walking in the hallway or at lunch. Students may NOT use two

earbuds during any time other than in study hall with the consent of the teacher.

Students may NOT make phones calls at any time during the school day. Failure

to adhere to this policy may result in school discipline and, in some cases, the

involvement of local law enforcement.”

--GEHRHSD’s Parent/Student Handbook

• Personal Items • All personal items must be stored out of walkways. Place your

belongings in the cubbies and keep what you need for the period at your desk.

• Cheating/Plagiarism • These are serious offenses and will result in the

implementation of Cedar Creek’s plagiarism policy as well as disciplinary action.

Any student who lends his/her work to another student or

allows another student to copy his/her work is subject to the same consequences.

• Food and Drink • Only water is permitted in the classroom.

• Punctuality • You must be in the classroom, seated, and ready to work when

the second bell rings.

Excessive lateness will result in disciplinary action.

• Participation • You are expected to be active, positive participants in class. This means that you will be respectful and tolerant of those

around you, listen with an open mind, and make regular contributions to class discussions.

This also means that you must be prepared for class, which

includes thoroughly reading the assigned texts and doing any related work.

Course of Study

• Unit One • Native American Traditions

In Harmony with Nature notes

“The World on the Turtle’s Back” pp.

“How the World Was Made” (supplementary)

Creation Myth Writing Assignment

“The Coyote and the Buffalo” pp.

Media Study: Native American Stereotypes

“The Way to Rainy Mountain” pp.

First Encounters from “The Log of Christopher Columbus” (supplementary)

First Encounters notes

“La Relación” pp.

“Of Plymouth Plantation” pp.

Myth and Truth: The First Thanksgiving (group project)

Roots: The Middle Passage (documentary)

“The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano” pp.

First Encounters Test

• Unit Two • Puritan Traditions

From Colony to Country notes

Puritan Poetry: Bradstreet and Taylor pp.

“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” pp.

Puritan Traditions Test

“The Examination of Sarah Good” (supplementary)

Which is a Witch? (webquest activity)

Introduction to The Crucible notes

Arthur Miller and The Crucible (documentary)

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible (play study)

Arthur Miller’s The Crucible (film viewing)

The Crucible and McCarthyism: What are the Parallels? (DBQ)

Tombstone Project/Persecution Project

• Unit Three • Transcendentalism

American Transcendentalism notes

“Self-Reliance” pp.

“Nature” pp.

“Walden” pp.

Dead Poets Society (film study)

Poetry

Poetic Device Teaching Handout/Lesson (assignment)

Poetry Unit Test

American Gothic American Gothic: The Dark Side of Individualism notes

Edgar Allan Poe (documentary)

“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” (supplementary)

“The Masque of the Red Death” pp.

“The Minister’s Black Veil” pp.

Progress Assessment: American Gothic

• Unit Four • Realism

Introduction to The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn notes

Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (novel study)

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn unit test

Why Huck Finn Belongs in the Classroom (research-based argumentative essay)

Course of Study

• Unit Five • Modernism

Thornton Wilder’s Our Town (play study)

The Harlem Renaissance

Introduction to the Harlem Renaissance notes

Unchained Memories (documentary)

Harlem Renaissance Art Gallery Walk (activity)

Harlem Renaissance Poetry (stations activity)

“How It Feels to Be Colored Me” pp.

“Thoughts on the African-American Novel” pp.

Harlem Renaissance Poetry: Does High Art or Folk Art Best Express Racial Pride? (DBQ)

Harlem Renaissance unit test

• Unit Six • The American Dream

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby

Parent/Guardian Information Sheet

Please complete and return to Mr. Stephan by the assigned due date.

• Student Information •

Please do not hesitate to contact me over the course of the year if you have any questions and/or concerns. I’m looking forward to working with you to ensure that your child has a successful year!

-Mr. Stephan

• Acknowledgements •

I have read the syllabus and understand the policies, procedures, and expectations for this course. I also understand and accept the consequences for any violated policies and procedures. ______________________________________________ Student Signature

______________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature

Any questions and/or concerns for the year?

Student’s Name

______________________________________________

Course: English II-Honors (Stephan)

Current Grade Level: □ 9 □ 10 □ 11 □ 12

Student I.D. Number: _________________________

School E-Mail:

______________________________________________

• Parent/Guardian Information •

Parent/Guardian #1 Name:

______________________________________________

Relationship to Student:

______________________________________________ Phone: ________________________________________ Best Time to be Contacted by Phone: _______________ E-Mail:

______________________________________________

Parent/Guardian #2 Name (if applicable):

______________________________________________

Relationship to Student:

______________________________________________ Phone: ________________________________________ Best Time to be Contacted by Phone: _______________ E-Mail:

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• Additional Information •

Preferred Method of Contact:

□ Phone □ E-Mail

Is there computer access at home?

□ Yes □ No

Is there internet access at home?

□ Yes □ No