Advanced Placement Literature and Composition AP Literature and Composition Syllabus with Performance Guidelines
2014-2015
Instructor: Qian Zhang
DeBakey High School for Health Professions
Tel: (713)741-2410
Room: 206
Conference: 2A and 3B/After School and Lunch Break Tutorials
Email Address: [email protected]
Introduction (from The College Board’s Course Description)
An AP English Literature and Composition course engages students in careful reading and critical analysis
of literature. Through the close reading of selected texts, students deepen their understanding of the
ways writers use language to provide both meaning and pleasure for their readers. As they read,
students consider a work’s structure, style and themes, as well as such smaller-scale elements as the use
of figurative language, imagery, symbolism, and tone.
Class Expectations
AP English Literature students are expected to be mature and have the motivation level equivalent to
those in collegiate classrooms. Students are expected to work hard, and the hope is .that the reward
received in preparing for future coursework will make the expended effort well worth the prize.
• Preparedness-Students are expected to read and complete all assignments before coming to class.
There will be interaction, discussion, and/or group work every class.
• In-class writing, discussions, and workshops: Besides my lectures, Students are expected to be
prepared for discussion, group activities, and writing. In-class group work cannot be recovered if it is
missed. Because of the workshop atmosphere of the AP English Literature classroom, student
interaction is required. Talking that disrupts or hampers the learning of the class will not be tolerated.
• Class Participation: Student participation is required. Students are expected to bring individual
thoughts, considerations, and opinions to a discussion. There is no wrong answer or thought if it is
analytical with evidence buttressed. Diversity of thought offers perspectives that can inform
conversation, offer insightful dialogue, and present potentially new avenues of discourse.
• Format for Papers: When not timed, all papers must be formatted using 12-point Times New Roman
font only and must be double-spaced with 1” margins on all sides. Always follow the style guidelines of
the Modern Language Association (MLA), particularly with regard to parenthetical and reference
citations.
• Late Work: Please refer to the English Department Policies.
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• Absences: It is the student’s responsibility to request make-up work. If students attend school at any
time during the day an assignment is due, students are required to submit their assignments.
• Fieldtrips: School sports, events, activities, and/or excursions are not valid reasons for not submitting
work on time.
• Make-up Exams: Please refer to the English Department Policies.
•Retake Policy: Please refer to the English Department Policies.
• Class Rules: See student Class Rules handout.
• Essay Competitions: You may participate in as many essay competitions as you would like. However,
you are required to enter those for college scholarships. Those essay contests also offer you
opportunities to learn from other writers, and at the same time, you are able to demonstrate your skills
in various forms of writing. Please see your Assignment Schedule for details.
•Textbooks
1. Primary Anthology: Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama, X.J. Kennedy and Dana
Goia, eds.(HISD textbook)
2. Secondary Anthology: (1) ARP Thomas R. and Greg Johnson, Perrine's Literature: Structure, Sound and
Sense. New York: Thomas Heinle, 2004.
(2). The Art of Styling Sentences, Barrow's, 2005
3. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
4. As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner
5. Tartuffe by Moliere
6. Macbeth by William Shakespere
7. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
9. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
10. The Awakening by Chopin
11. Sula by Toni Morrison
12. Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
*Reading for Essay Competition: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
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*Supplemental Texts
1. Sylvan Barnet, William E. Cain: A Short Guide to Writing about Literature, Pearson, 9th Edition
2. Kelley Griffith, Jr. Writing Essays about Literature, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers, 2nd Edition
3. Edith Hamilton: Mythology, Warner Books, 1999
4. Samuel Cohen: 50 Essays, a Portable Anthology, Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004
5. Mattie Williams: English Literature and Composition, Research & Education Association, 2000
• Supplies: Materials and supplies must be brought to class every day; you should be able to tell from
homework and weekly assignments or by outlines/syllabus what you will need. Use wide-ruled paper
and a black pen for major writing assignments. You may type your major assignments, but a hand
written draft must accompany a typed paper. It will be very helpful if you have your own dictionary and
thesaurus. (Suggestions: Roget's II The New Thesaurus College Edition; and a current College Edition of
Merriam Webster's Dictionary)
Two Red Pens
Two Different Color Highlighters
A Binder with Dividers (labeled Notes, Homework, Vocabulary, Grammar, Writing)
A Journal/Bell Work Book (College Ruled)
Index Cards
Black, Blue Ink Pens
Pencils, Easers and a Pencil Sharpener
Course Outline
Skills introduced in each cycle should be reinforced throughout the school year with AP practice.
Reading and writing are integral parts of every lesson. Grammar/Syntax Review will be part of this
course as well.
A six-week cycle assignment/lesson schedule is provided on the day each cycle begins. Please refer to
that for the course details.
Continuous Class Writing and On-Going Activities
• Multiple-choice practice based upon readings
• Poetry, explication and analysis
• Timed writings from released AP Literature free-response questions
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• Independent-reading book projects
• Socratic seminars with reflective writing
• Research paper: Literary criticism (using rhetorical précis)
• Individual conferences with students to identify areas needing improvement (tutorials required)
• Vocabulary practice
• Grammar, syntax, mechanics (SCI2)
Grade Speed
GRADING: CYCLE GRADING:
Summer Reading
Cycle Common Assessment
1st
2nd, 4th& 5th
30%
25%
3rd & 6th
N/A
N/A
25%
N/A (tested on final exam)
Major Assessment (exams, essays, extensive projects, research papers)
30%
50%
60%
10%
20%
30%
5%
5%
10%
Assessment (vocabulary test, quizzes, activities)
Minor Assessment
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY
Please read and remember the Student Disciplinary Rules in the HISD Student Handbook Cheating,
plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited by HISD system policy and the
rules of this class.
Cheating on a test includes:
a.
Copying from another student's test paper; using materials during the test that are not
authorized by the teacher
b.
Collaborating with another student without authorization
c.
Using misappropriated test materials and/or answer keys
PLAIGERISM means using someone else's work and not telling. You must document every quotation,
every paraphrase, every concept harvested from the work of another writer.
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Further offenses (whether in this class or others) could adversely affect membership in the Honor
Societies.
If,
Students lack citations in rough draft for the first time, student receives…
70 %
Students lack citations on the final draft (after having been warned on the rough draft), student
receives…
0%
Students are taking a timed writing, some paraphrasing is accepted, and no page numbers are needed
n/a
*If at any time you plagiarized, a zero will be issued and conduct grade will be reduced to a P which
will be reflected on your school transcript. So do not take any chances because the damage caused by
any poor judgment will be too colossal to you than a bad grade will.
Anything Not Covered Here
All other issues not discussed here will be subject to the policies in the Student’s Handbook and my
discretion.
Thank you for reading the information. I expect you to do your very best each class period. In return, I
will put my best effort into each class that I teach. If at any time you are having difficulties in this
class, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help you.
Student Name (Print)____________: Parent Signature ____________Date______________
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