American Literature

Overview
 

This college preparatory requirement introduces students to  American literature and traditions. The course incorporates literature-based writing, vocabulary development and language study through some of the major works in American literature. Students will study the influence of the Puritans and the consequent themes of free will and the American dream. Students will also read the district core works, The Great Gatsby and The Joy Luck Club. The principal works of important American poets are also surveyed. Students should expect to read 10-30 pages a night and write two-page formal papers every three weeks. This one semester course is open to juniors.

Fitzgeraldís The Great Gatsby (required district core reading)

Tanís The Joy Luck Club (required district core reading)

Optional texts
 

Hansberryís Raisin in the Sun

Millerís Death of a Salesman.

Kingsolverís Animal Dreams

Keseyís One Flew Over the Cuckooís Nest

Lan Caoís Monkey Bridge

This semester we will also read 1984 by George Orwell.  Although Orwell was British, his novel is as relevant to modern America as anything in the Paly bookroom.

We will also explore many short stories and poems by other American literary figures.

Materials
 

Please keep a binder for handouts, class notes, completed assignments and other papers relating to this class. You may devote a section of a large, multi-class binder to this class if you choose. Please bring the binder and notebook paper to class every day.

Please save all graded work after I return it to you. This work will serve as a record of your progress for your end-of-semester writing portfolio. Also, photocopy or retain digital copies of all assignments before turning them in to me. I will not be responsible for lost assignments.

I will expect you to use your student planner to help organize your assignment schedules and as a tool for citing sources for your papers.

Please buy and use a copy of Strunk and Whiteís Elements of Style.

Assignments/grading
 

A grade of A or B in this course symbolizes the teacher's judgment that students will be able to do satisfactory work in English 1A or 1B at the University of California, provided that the student continues to develop reading and writing skills at his or her current pace.

Your grades will be calculated according to a standard 90/80/70/60 percentage system and will include a participation element. It is unlikely that there will be opportunities for extra credit.
 

Formal papers/creative projects/exams 40%

Reading logs/quizzes 15%

Participation 20%

Reading with a friend 10%

Vocabulary 10%

Final Portfolio 5%

FORMAL PAPERS/CREATIVE PROJECTS/EXAMS: ((Roughly 40 percent of final grade)

Every three weeks or so, I will ask you to prepare formal papers, which will be evaluated as polished pieces according to rubrics that I will hand out to you. Expect mid-term and final exams.

READING LOGS/QUIZZES: (Roughly 15 percent of final grade)

As a general rule, you should expect to read 10-30 pages per night (including your outside reading), depending on the difficulty of the reading. You MUST keep up with the reading as reading logs, class discussions and class activities are planned with that premise. The reading logs are 300- to 400-word responses that will be our core device for exploring our readings. You will receive a separate handout for the reading logs. Expect occasional pop quizzes on reading material.

PARTICIPATION: (Roughly 20 percent of final grade)

In addition to reading and writing, weíll be working on listening and speaking skills.  Much of the course will involve student-led discussions about literature (See "Teacher secrets" for an example of the kinds of questions you'll be asking and answering). Sometimes you will be working with a group to help lead the class. At other times, you might find yourself delivering an oral presentation or sitting in on a fishbowl discussion. Weíll start with the less challenging of these tasks and work up to the more challenging ones.

READING WITH A FRIEND: (Roughly 10 percent of final grade)

I will expect you to read at least one book outside of class during the course of the semester. See the "Reading with a Friend" handout for more information.

VOCABULARY: (Roughly 10 percent of final grade)

Expect to be responsible for learning -- and being quizzed on -- 10 new vocabulary words each week, and the system is cumulative. In general, we will draw these words from our readings.  Read the vocabulary policy for more details.

FINAL PORTFOLIO: (Roughly 5 percent of final grade)

More details on this as we approach the end of the semester (although you could read last year's portfolio assignment to get a pretty good idea of what to expect). For now, keep everything -- including all rough drafts. We want you to be a position to show off your progress.

NOTE: Please type all assignments for this class with the exception of specifically identified informal journal assignments. More details on essay form will follow.

Class environment
 

Students are to conduct themselves in a courteous, business-like manner at all times. You are welcome to bring drinks and small snacks to class as long as you clean up after yourselves ó and as long as the food does not become a distraction. Please do not wear earphones or use calculators or other electronic devices.

It is the studentís responsibility to find out what work has been missed during an absence from class. Deadlines for work missed during an excused absence are extended one day for each day of excused absence. Deadlines will not be extended for unexcused absences. Unexcused tardies also can affect your grade.

Academic honesty
 

Do your own work and take your own tests. Work with others, but avoid copying work from other students or other sources. Cheating on tests, copying someone else's work, or having someone do your work for you is not allowed. If you are dishonest, you'll automatically receive a zero on the assignment, and, depending on the gravity of the infraction, more severe penalties as per school and district policy.

Individual student-teacher meetings
 

The best times to reach me for an individual conference are 3rd, 5th and 6th periods, and during lunch and after school.  I tend to stay on campus until about 5 p.m. each day. If Iím not in 213, try the English Computer Lab, or the English Department Office. My voice mail number is 329-3837. My email addresses is pkandell@pausd.palo-alto.ca.us. If you want to be certain to find me at a given time, make an appointment in advance.
 
 

LINKS TO SOME OF OUR MAJOR ASSIGNMENTS

1984 Unit/Calendar for Fall 2002
Reading with a friend
Model discussion questions
Vocabulary policy
Portfolio assignment (from last year)
Creative response journals