11th Grade World Literature Syllabus
Welcome to English 11, World Literature. In this course we will read a variety of literature, both fiction and nonfiction, from many different cultures. Through a study of philosophy and literature, we will explore how
perspective affects the experience of literature as well as how we see and interpret the world.
SKILLS
Writing – You will focus on writing both formally and informally. You will work on creating skillful,
structurally sound essays using advanced critical thinking skills as well as rhetorical strategies.
Reading – Close, critical reading is a primary focus of the class. You will analyze both fiction and non-fiction
pieces in depth.
Speaking – You will compose and present speeches for a variety of purposes increasing both skill and finesse.
Research – You will advance your research skills paying particular attention to scholarly research and source
evaluation.
Thinking/Reasoning – You will work to make connections between the literature we read with literature you’ve
read in the past as well as with your personal experiences. You will work to present reasoned and convincing
arguments.
OPPORTUNITIES
Grades are calculated as a running total for the semester.
Formal Writing and Presentation (35% of total grade) You will have a number of opportunities to present
your work in both oral and written modes. You will be responsible for all aspects of these assignments, including
process and final product. This may include pre-writing, drafting, revision and peer review.
To receive credit, essays must be submitted to www.turnitin.com by the end of the school day on which the
assignment is due in order to receive credit. If the paper is NOT submitted within this time period, NO CREDIT
will be given for the assignment.
Homework (35% of total grade) Most, but not all, homework will be collected and graded.
Tests and Quizzes (30% of total grade) Tests or quizzes may cover anything discussed in class or assigned as
homework.
*Grade updates may be accessed via student portal or parent portal. Reports provided upon request.
GRADING SCALE
93 – 100%
90 – 92%
87 – 89%
83 – 86%
A
AB+
B
80 – 82%
77-79%
73 – 76%
70 – 72%
BC+
C
C-
67 – 69%
63 – 66%
60 – 62%
0 – 59%
D+
D
DF
TEACHER CONTACT INFORMATION
Please feel free to contact your student’s teacher either by email or phone. Please note, email contact can often be
the most efficient way to reach us.
Teacher
Julie Johnson
Dan McCormick
Kelly Smalstig
Amy Van Damme
Email Address
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Phone
651-403-7258
651-403-7233
651-403-7301
651-403-7119
EXPECTATIONS
JUST DO IT! This is one hour of your day. Please come to class ready to greet the day’s activities with an open
mind. Do the assigned work and get it completed on time.
LATE WORK! If you are absent from school the day an assignment is due, you are expected to turn it in on the
day you return.
Any work turned in late will receive a 50% reduction after the work has been assessed.
An unexcused absence will result in the loss of credit for work missed (Yes, that includes tests and quizzes.
Don’t skip class).
WHO’S RESPONSIBLE? YOU’RE RESPONSIBLE! If you are absent it is YOUR responsibility to see me,
but not while I am conducting class. I will be happy to discuss this with you at length before or after school. It is
not my responsibility to make sure you have turned in everything or checked on missing work: That is YOUR
job. Extra copies of handouts are available in the classroom. A monthly calendar or reading schedule is available
for your reference for each unit. Progress can be monitored online via parent and/or student portal.
BE RESPECTFUL! Each person in the room deserves to feel valued and supported by the others. We will get to
know one another…by name! Making fun of others, rude behavior, or any negative vibes in this classroom are
unacceptable. Please respect me, yourself and everyone else in the room.
COME PREPARED! You need a three-ring binder, loose leaf paper, and a two pocket folder for this class. You
should bring those materials as well as pen or pencil, daily planner and your text to class daily. A highlighter is
recommended.
WHAT NOT TO BRING: jackets, hats, cell phones, headsets, a bad attitude.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY HAS SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. Academic dishonesty is defined in the
student handbook as follows: “Any act violating the rights of another in academic work or that involves
misrepresentation of a student’s work. Scholastic dishonesty includes (but is not limited to) cheating on
assignments and examinations; plagiarism, which means misrepresenting as one’s own work that which has been
done by another; submitting the same or substantially similar papers for more than one course without the consent
of all instructors concerned; depriving another of necessary course materials; or sabotaging another’s work (CLA:
University of Minnesota).”
The consequences, also noted in the student handbook, are as follows: The first offense in a course results in a
grade of zero for the assignment, referral to the office, and parent notification. The second offense in a course
will result in a zero for the course for the semester and consequent loss of credit, referral to the office, and parent
notification. Plagiarism is the taking of any ideas or wording of someone else and passing them off as your own.
11th Grade World Literature Parent Information Sheet
Sign below if you have read and understand the policies, course content, and syllabus for the 11th Grade
World Literature course.
Student (Print Name):______________________________________
Student Signature:_________________________________________
Parent/Guardian (Print Name):_______________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________________
CONTACT INFORMATION
Parent/Guardian email address(es) ___________________________________________________
Parent Phone:____________________________________________________________________
If available, an alternative where you can be reached: ____________________________________
When we talk together, will you need an interpreter? If so, what language?
INFORMATION OF NOTE
Is there any special information you would like me to know about your student?