TEXTS:

A-HONORS CLASS:

1-THE NORTON ANTHOLOGY OF ENGLISH LITERATURE; MAJOR AUTHORS EDITION: (with student purchased copy of Hamlet)

2-SOPHIE'S WORLD - a novel with its own web site

3-THE NORTON WEBSITE (link to this site from Student Curriculum Links and web site for this course);

4-MLA STYLE SHEET

5-ON LINE RESOURCES:

A-STUDENT CURRICULUM LINKS--(best web sites for British Literature plus General Guides to research in English Literature and Philosophy--access from the English Dept. main page--SJC site)

B-For background material and other related course information see this course's HOME PAGE on line-- English Department British Literature, plus links to Sophie's World. NOTE: You must have a password from Mr. Colvin, Director of technology, in order to use any school computer. Due dates for long-term assignments are also on line.

C-ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL STYLE BOOK (revised edition)--ON LINE EDITION with WORKS CITED PAGE for papers. (For construction of thesis statements. MLA will be the style sheet for papers as noted above).

SCOPE AND COURSE OUTLINE: literature / philosophy

This course traces by historical chronology, the philosophical and literary masterpieces that have influenced the development of civilization. Each literary period will survey significant philosophical ideas that contributed to its growth. The following periods will receive attention:

FIRST SEMESTER:

The Classical Period: (classical humanism: Heraclitus, Plato, Aristotle. Contemporary criticism: M.A. Abrams: the mimetic, pragmatic, expressive theories; Northrop Frye: what literature means)

Anglo-Saxon: (Christian humanism, Beowulf, Selected short poetry)

Medieval: (Christian humanism, Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and the history of tragedy)

Renaissance: (literary criticism, history of tragedy; selected Shakespeare plays, and the rise of science)

SECOND SEMESTER:

Seventeenth Century: (Metaphysical and Cavalier poetry, Milton)

Neoclassical Period: (Plato, Aristotle, Horace, Pope and Swift)

Romantic Period / Gothic Literature: (Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, Keats, Percy Shelley.) The Gothic Literature Course considers additional authors and works: Shakespeare, Mary Shelley, Matthew Gregory Lewis, Poe.)

Victorian Period: (Darwin, Arnold, Huxley, theories of education)

Modern Period: (Henry James , Eliot , and Miller) Novel: TBA

These periods will be organized around one of the most important ideas in philosophy: The Great Chain of Being as articulated by Arthur Lovejoy, and the educational philosophy of the course reflects Martha Nussbaum's Cultivating Humanity within the context of a Christian humanistic education which mandates the ethical development of the whole person.

The honors class will consider the philosophical implications through Sophie's World to be read concurrently with the literature. There are links on the COURSE CONTENT SITE to this text.

SCOPE AND COURSE OUTLINE: writing program:

1. QUARTER ONE:

• teaching the explication of a primary source through construction of a thesis statement, selecting and evaluating quotes from a text.
• teaching documentation and relevant formatting matters
• reviewing grammar and syntax problems as needed
• Completing this paper is required for passing the quarter.

2. QUARTER TWO:

• applying quarter one's skills to the completion of a research paper
• teaching how to research in libraries (using the Gale Group and MLA)
• learning how to evaluate a web site--on line resources: STUDENT CURRICULUM LINKS
• integrating and documenting primary and secondary sources in the paper-construction of a works cited page.
• Completing this paper is required for passing the quarter.

3. SECOND SEMESTER:

• application of the first semester skills to the completion of a formal research paper, combining the skills learned in the first semester.

If your future includes any one of the following:

1. finishing high school, going to college and graduating
2. getting a good job that requires skill, intelligence and integrity through the development of critical thinking
3. the ethical management of information technology in our "PC" age
4. leaving the world a better place than it is today...

...then Honors British Authors class might help.

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY:

Each literary period will be covered in terms of:

• 1--presentation of relevant philosophical and historical material
• 2--assignment of reading material: text, Internet or xerox handout
• 3--discussion of the literature in terms of background discussions

Please note that the course will require on-line work.

EVALUATIONS:

There will be two or three announced major tests each quarter. Quizzes (announced or unannounced) may be given at any time, usually on, but not limited to due dates. Outside writing/research assignments are part of each quarter's work, and are posted in class and are on line.

Percentages for evaluations FOR QUARTER ONE (SUBJECT TO CHANGE IN SUBSEQUENT QUARTERS)...

• quizzes are worth 20% of the quarter grade--frequency depends on your keeping up with the reading. Part of the quiz grade can be a notebook check.
• major tests (essay format) are worth 30% of the quarter grade. Tests are essay and short identification.
• writing projects are worth 25% of the quarter grade-Due dates for the term paper are on line, and posted in class. In addition to the term paper, shorter papers will be assigned throughout the semester. Please note that St. John's now requires turnitin.com
• Please note: Students must have at least a final grade of B to remain in the honors program, and a very high B+ /A average to qualify for AP.
• class work is worth 25% of the quarter grade to include:
  • attention in class
  • participation in class
  • bringing materials--book, web printouts, notes etc. to class as needed--this is essential
  • attendance is part of this evaluation.
• The semester examination is worth 10% of each semester's grade

Policies on accommodations and attendance:

1. Students with learning accommodations must so notify the instructor the first week of school.

2. Attendance policy update and grades. St. John's now mandates that any student with more than 8 unexcused absences during an individual class will lose 5 points from the semester average. Coming late after 20 minutes is recorded as an absence.

3. Per instructor requirement: as noted above, excessive lateness can impact the class participation/preparation grade.

Technology Requirements:

You must check HOMEWORK CENTRAL DAILY BY 4:00 PM as needed for assigned work. Absence is not an excuse for missing work, especially since the research curriculum links and background handouts are now on line.

Work submitted late will be accepted with no points off, with points off or not accepted at all depending on the circumstances. Mr. Wilkins / Mr. Colvin (for computers) will be consulted.

MAKING UP MISSED WORK:

ALL MAKE-UP WORK MUST BE COMPLETED IN THE MORNING IN THE DETENTION ROOM (115) THE FIRST DAY BACK TO SCHOOL WITH THE EXCEPTION OF EXTENDED ABSENCES. POINTS MAY BE DEDUCTED FOR NON-COMPLIANCE.

ATTENDANCE / LATENESS:

At the discretion of the Principal, any student who has been absent from a single class for ten (10) or more days during a semester or twenty (20) days of classes for the entire year, without medical verification, may be required to attend summer school before being advanced or being awarded a diploma.

School late policies :

• Students tardy to class regardless of the reason must report to the office first for a date and time stamped admission slip which will either be marked excused (if you have a note or a valid reason) or not excused resulting in tardy detention to be served the next day.
• In this class, when the door is closed when the bell rings, you are late if not in the room.

School policies on late work and extra credit (from the student handbook):

Since following directions and timely effort are traits to be encouraged in education, teachers are asked to refrain from giving "extra-credit" assignment as a means of a student attempting to override past penalties for inadequate work. Any extra-credit offered is to be educational in nature, (i.e. visiting an exhibit) and offered to the entire class.

Teachers are to attach a penalty to all work submitted late that is not related to the excused absence of the student. (Students may offer circumstances in mitigation).

GRADING:

THE SJC GRADING SCALE IS USED FOR ALL WORK, AND GRADES SHOULD BE PERIODICALLY CHECKED ON POWER SCHOOL AS NO WRITTEN PROGRESS REPORTS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED.

ACADEMIC ETHICS and LEADERSHIP EXPECTATIONS from the Student Handbook:

The relationship between the teacher and the student must be characterized by the highest level of integrity' when a teacher gives a student an assignment-homework, pupil project, presentation, lab, etc.-or when he/she gives a quiz or exam, that teacher is building the framework for the student's learning Please note the following guidelines and follow them in your work at St. John’s.

The Academic Ethical Guidelines states:

1. A student will not use or give to another any notes, materials, other sources of information, or other assistance for a class, including but not limited to a quiz, test, paper, project, oral presentation or power-point presentation, which have not been approved by the teacher. All work is expected to be completed individually, rather than through a collaborative process, unless explicitly prescribed otherwise by the teacher.

2. A student's homework and in-class work fulfill the intention of the instructor in a specific class:

A. Individual assignments must be represented by individual work.
B. Group assignments must be represented by group work. In no case is direct copying allowed.

3. A student must represent his/her work honestly. That is, any and all work submitted by a student certifies that the student himself/herself did the work In other words, if a student assignment is about a book, it is presumed that he read the book; if the assignment is about an event he/she attended; it is presumed he/she attended said event; if the assignment is a translation of a work from a foreign language into English, or vice versa, it is presumed that the student performed the translation his/herself without the use of any other aids. A violation of this certification will result in the imposition of an academic penalty and may result in further disciplinary action at the discretion of the Assistant principal. The examples provided above are only illustrative and other situations, as determined by the Faculty or the Administration, may give rise to a violation of this section.

4. A student will not plagiarize in any form. Plagiarism presents the work or ideas of another as one's own. This includes:

A. Direct copying of another person's (living or dead) work
B. Using any amount of another person's material or ideas without proper documentation.
C. Paraphrasing another person's original material without proper documentation.

Any infringement or violation of the norms stated above will affect both the student's status in the relevant class and his/her status as a St. John's student. In all cases of cheating or the appearance of cheating, the teacher will give the student a significant academic punishment for the violation and will notify the parent(s). All incidents of academic dishonesty will be kept on file in the Student Affairs Office In the case of a student's second offense, the student will face probable dismissal. In all cases.

The Principal has and reserves the right to dismiss a student for academic deceit when he considers the circumstances warrant that action- contested cases of cheating will always be referred to the student Affairs office who will thoroughly investigate the instance, consult the student's disciplinary and academic history, confer with faculty persons in the subject area as needed and render a judgment.

Principles of an Active Leader:

The basic principle of our school's philosophy is that every student must actively engage in the educational process consequently, we expect each student to realize that the primary responsibility for learning rests squarely on his/her own shoulders. Parents, teachers, and friends may guide and direct the learning process, but real achievement in the academic endeavor is not possible if student is nor actively involved.

Each student is expected to be on time for each class and not to miss class except in the case of illness, school sponsored event or another serious reason. Each teacher expects that a student will come to class fully prepared, ready, willing, and able to participate in the lessons of the day. Learning deserves an environment of respect and freedom from distraction; furthermore, each student, is expected to assist in maintaining order by refraining from disruptive conduct.

If a student is absent, he/she is expected to check Homework central and/or contact his/her classmates for each day's assignment and make arrangements for securing appropriate books. In the case of a prolonged absence, a student's parents should contact the Student Affairs Office for assistance. In such cases, it is also prudent for students or their parents to contact teachers by e-mail in order to secure missed assignments and materials. Parents should feel free to contact teachers whenever they have a question or concern about their son/daughter's progress in a particular class.

As noted in the Syllabus, outside assignments, especially the term paper, are requirements for passing the class, regardless of competence in other areas. Such implies two ideas:

1) that the work is submitted

2) that what is submitted meets the standards specified in class for content, and St. John's College High School, revised edition (on line)

Specifics for completing the work including how to use the SJC INTERNET link and other data basis will be provided.

DUE DATES: The most significant problem encountered in the past has been time management. Late papers and requests for extensions usually center on three areas:

1. not turning in preliminary material

2. underestimating the amount of time needed to complete work--LATENESS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE.

3. blaming the computer (Mr. Colvin's judgment will prevail.)

4. Time management is therefore important. Late work will be assessed on an individual basis, and may or may not be accepted with points off, or not accepted. Extended illness and /or equally serious emergencies will constitute reasons for extensions.