Course Outline: English 4 Honors

Miss Strieby, 2007-2008

Course Description:            This intensive course is designed for students who have a serious interest in British literature and who plan to pursue post-secondary study.  Critical thinking strategies are emphasized in both the reading and writing process.  The course includes surveys of The Middle Ages, The Renaissance, The Enlightenment, The Romantic Age, The Victorian Age, and contemporary English pieces.  An intensive research project culminating in a refined, well-written and thoughtful paper is required.  

Course Objectives:            The student will: 

À     Read, evaluate, and discuss a variety of literature, identifying the important elements of each piece.

À     Develop written fluency by means of regular writing exercises. 

À     Increase his or her working vocabulary.

À     Become a more proficient speaker and listener.

À     Develop effective research skills and become more adept in the research process, using library resources, and documentation of resources.

À     Write original expository and critical essays in standard edited English. 

Textbook:            Adventures in English Literature 

Areas of Study:

À     Short Story

À     Poetry

À     Epic:  Beowulf

À     The Novel:  Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Wuthering Heights, Brave New World­ (other novels may be included as the year progress)

À     Drama:  Macbeth, The Taming of the Shrew, The Importance of Being Earnest, Equus

À     Research

À     The Writing Process

À     Review of Grammar, Usage, Sentence Structure, and Punctuation 

***This list is subject to change. 

Required Materials:

À     Three-ring binder

À     Loose-leaf paper

À     Pens

À     Access to a typewriter or computer and printer  (Students may use the computers in the school library.) 

***If you have difficulty obtaining any of these materials, please see me after class before the end of the week. 

Reading:            This course will include a variety of reading materials.  Readings will be done both in class and as homework.  It is essential for each student to keep up with the class readings and is considered part of the individual student’s responsibility for his or her own learning.  

Class Work:             Throughout the year, we will be working with many different works of literature and writing assignments.  Accompanying these works will be a variety of class work and assignments.  These assignments are designed to increase one’s individual understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the class materials.  Effective class work is part of the student’s learning responsibility.  Make sure you are giving the maximum effort for each class work assignment. 

Punctuality and Preparation:            Every student MUST arrive on time for class.  This is more than just making it through the door when the bell rings.  Each student must arrive on time, be in his or her assigned seat, and be ready to work at the start of class.  Students who arrive late to class MUST provide a hall pass.  Students must be aware of Sutton High School’s policy on tardiness.  Students who accumulate five (5) unexcused tardies will be given an office detention.  Detentions will be given for the sixth and seventh tardies.  Students will be given an in-school suspension for the eighth and ninth tardies.  Out-of-school suspension will be given for any subsequent tardies (“Sutton Memorial High School Student/Parent Handbook” 2).  Please refer to `the “Sutton Memorial High School Student/Parent Handbook” for additional regulations and explanations.  Every day, you will need to bring the following: 

À     Your copy of the text we are studying

À     Your English binder, containing class notes, handouts, assignments, etc.

À     A pen (never come to class without a writing utensil!) 

Participation:            Participation is essential in the classroom environment.  While it is important for each student to contribute to class discussions, participation is also necessary in both independent work and group work.  Your best effort is expected at all times, regardless of the activity, both for your benefit and the class as a whole.  

Papers, Projects, and Long-Term Assignments:            Throughout the year, there will be a variety of assignments to accompany our readings and class work.  A lot of this work will include multiple steps and drafts.  It is very important that each student works through these multiple steps and drafts because they will be incorporated in the project or paper’s final grade.  For example, when writing a research paper, each student will work through a series of steps, starting with choosing a topic and writing a thesis statement and finishing with the final product.  Each step will receive its own grade.  If a student fails to complete a step, the student will receive a zero for that particular step of the assignment.  

Do your best to complete each project/paper on time.  Late work will be penalized for each day the assignment is late.  Late assignments will receive a 10% deduction for each day it is late.  Additionally, work that is submitted late will receive little or no feedback in regards to the quality of the work and what areas can be/should be improved for future assignments.  

Absence from school will not excuse a student from a deadline as due dates are set well in advance.  Work must still be submitted by 2:00 pm on the appointed day.  An unexcused absence will result in a loss of points (10% for each day) for an assignment.      

Electronic Submission:            An email account has been established for student use throughout the year.  Students may use this email account to submit work electronically.  However, there are some important guidelines students must adhere to when using this account. 

À     Papers can be submitted to the following email address: seniors_shs@yahoo.com

À     Email submissions are due by 2:00 pm on the due date.  Any paper submitted after 2:00 pm is considered late.  Papers submitted after the appointed due date lose 10% for each day late.  This includes weekends.  Cutoff time for submission is 2:00 pm on all days. 

À     Once your email submission is received, you will be sent a confirmation email.  If you do not receive a confirmation email, your paper has not been received.  The student is responsible for any and all technical malfunctions that occur when submitting a paper electronically, regardless of what that error is.     

À     You must include your name in the subject line of the email.  Email submissions that are sent without the proper identification will not be opened or confirmed.  Email submissions without the proper identification will not be considered submitted and the student will receive a 10% penalty for each day the paper is late until the error is corrected.  

Tests and Quizzes:            Tests and quizzes will be a regular part of the class.  These should not be viewed as punishments, but rather a chance to show one’s knowledge of the subject matter at hand.  Keeping up with the class work and readings is the most effective way to do you best in any possible testing situation.  

Senior Project:              Throughout the year, students will work on a year long, cumulative senior project.  Each quarter, students will be responsible for submitting a section of the project.  By June, students will have compiled a selection of work and completed examination of their personal skills within the English curriculum, including all four years of high school.     

Responsibility:            This is your education; take an active role in it!  As your teacher, I have high expectations for each of my students.  I expect each individual to work to his or her fullest potential.  In order to get the most out of your schooling, you need to come to class prepared and ready to work.  Your education is YOUR responsibility.  Be proud of what you accomplish this year!    

Extra Credit:                 Extra Credit is not a substitute for missed work, and as such, extra credit is only an option for those students who have submitted all of the requisite assignments.  If you have failed to turn in an assignment, you are not eligible for extra credit. 

Personal Integrity:            Ultimately, your own personal integrity and sense of self worth matter much more than your grade on a paper or test.  Should any student be caught cheating or plagiarizing, he or she will receive a zero on the assignment, no chance will be given to make up the work, and his or her parents will be notified.  Please review the section on “Academic Integrity” on page 7 of the “Sutton Memorial High School Student/Parent Handbook” for a more extensive explanation.  Additionally, this matter will be discussed during class at the beginning of the year.  I expect, as should you, that each and every student put forth his or her best possible, honest effort. 

Absences and Grading:           

À     If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to find out what you missed and to make up all the necessary work. 

À     You are also responsible for turning in any work due on the day you were absent. 

À     Tests and quizzes must be made up within five (5) days. 

À     Homework must be turned in within two (2) days of your absence.               

À     All grades count!  Attached, you will find an explanation of the grading system.  As you will see, even a small assignment will affect your grade.  Make sure you keep up with all assigned work.  Please see me with any questions. 

Please make sure you are aware of the current school policies on attendance (refer to the student handbook or see the office administration with any questions).  “The Sutton High School Attendance Policy states that if a student has more than five (5) unexcused absences during any one quarter, in any or all of his/her classes, the student and guardian will be notified that he/she will lose credit for each of his/her classes for that quarter that he/she has been absent for” (“Sutton Memorial High School Student/Parent Handbook” 2).   

English Department Policies:                        It is important to note that English department policy dictates that students are only allowed to take one required English course per year, i.e. English I, English II, English III, and English IV.  As a result, students are not allowed to double up on yearly requirements by taking two English courses in the same year.  Any student who does not pass his or her English class for the year will be required to repeat the course.  However, students may opt to include an English elective, for example Shakespeare Alive, in their course program.  Please consult with the Guidance department or your English teacher for more information.