English 2323:
Studies in British Literature
Sweetwater High School
Monday – Friday
Periods 4 and 5
Dual Credit (old AV) classroom
Amanda Hall
1205 Ragland, Sweetwater, TX 79556
325-235-4371
[email protected]
Conference: 2nd period (9:25-10:11)
Course Description
Since this is both a high school senior English class and a dual credit English class, it will not
only cover the ENG IV TEKS, but also the Common Core State Objectives used in Texas
colleges. We will primarily focus on reading selected pieces from the British canon from the
Anglo-Saxon to the Romantic period. Occasionally we will read pieces of contemporary nonfiction that relate in theme or subject to the literature we are studying in class.
The following description is taken from the Texas Core Curriculum:
This course is a study of diverse works by British writers, with an emphasis on reading,
comprehending, and thinking critically about the selected works within the context of British
cultural and literary history.
Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes
Course Materials
Glencoe’s British Literature (provided by the school)
Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities (provided by the school)
Grading / Evaluation
Tests, Essays, Projects = 50%
Participation: peer review, group work, and class discussion = 25%
Reading and NoRedInk grammar quizzes = 25%
Your Responsibilities
This is a college course, and you will be held to the same standards as college students. In order
to be successful in this class, you MUST do the following:
1. Attend class regularly and bring your textbook EVERY DAY.
2. Participate in class discussions, Socratic Seminars, and peer review.
3. Complete your work (reading assignments, essays, projects, etc.) on time.
4. Take notes in class and study them at home.
5. Spend time outside of class (3-4 hours a week) working on our coursework.
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Course Info
Technology
When using technology in class, I expect you to stay on task. Failure to do so will result in a
deduction of points from your participation grade. On days when you are working on essays in
class, I encourage you to bring a laptop. If you prefer taking notes on your computer as opposed
to by hand, you are welcome to bring your laptop or use your iPad (hopefully you have a
keyboard). You may not use cell phones in class. If I see your cell phone out, I will take it.
Attendance
In order for you to make a good grade, you must attend class. And by “attend” class, I mean
actively participating and engaging in the lesson. You are not allowed to leave class unless it is
an emergency. The only hall pass I am allowed to give out is a nurse pass.
Late Work
If you know ahead of time that you will be absent for a school event on the day an assignment is
due, it is your responsibility to turn in the work BEFORE you are absent. This is not only my
rule, but it is also a school rule. THIS IS A COLLEGE CLASS, SO YOU MUST TURN IN
YOUR WORK ON TIME. Acceptance of late work is up to my discretion and penalties will be
applied.
Plagiarism
According to the Council of Writing Programs Administrators, plagiarism is:
1. Submitting someone else’s text as one’s own or attempting to blur the line between one’s
own ideas or words and those borrowed from another source, and
2. Carelessly or inadequately citing ideas and words borrowed from another source
Many students who plagiarize are unaware that they are guilty of this crime. For this reason
alone, it is imperative that you pay attention when we discuss plagiarism and its complexities in
class. See the ASU Academic Honor Code, which you will receive the first week of class, for
more detailed information.
Students with Disabilities
Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with disabilities; these will be determined
by the A.R.D. recommendations made by the special education.
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Course Schedule
(assignments and dates are subject to change)
Unit 4: Romanticism (1750-1837)
Week 1 (1/18-1/22): No school on MLK Day, 1/18
Unit Introduction to Romanticism (668-682)
Quiz over Intro
“A Vindication of the Rights of Woman” (699-705): SOAPSTone Analysis
Quiz over “A Vindication” (857 and hard copy)
Contemporary Pairing: article on women’s rights today
Week 2 (1/25-1/29)
Intro to Gothic Literature: PPT. notes
From the Introduction to Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (787-794)
Quiz over Frankenstein
Byron (796-797), The Byronic Hero (802-803), selected poems
Week 3 (2/1-2/5)
Test over Mary Shelley and Byron
Megan Mayhew Bergman’s “The Autobiography of Allegra Byron” from salon.com
Socratic Seminar over “The Autobiography”
Week 4 (2/8-2/12)
Percy Bysshe Shelley (804-805)
“Ozymandias” (806-807): LTF Analysis
Writing Workshop: Literary Analysis of “Ozymandias” (844-851)
Week 5 (2/15-2/19): No school on 2/15
PEG Writing draft #1 due
Peer Review
PEG Writing drafts 2-3 due
Writing conferences
Unit 5: Victorianism (1837-1901)
Week 6 (2/22-2/26)
Unit Introduction to Victorianism (862-876)
Group Presentations: Timeline + Historical Context + Big Ideas
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Week 7 (2/29-3/4)
Tennyson (878-879): “In Memorium” (880-883)
TPCASTT Analysis
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (895): “Sonnet 43” (896-897)
Test over Tennyson and Browning
Week 8 (3/7-3/11): Early Release day, 3/11
The Age of the Novel (920-921)
Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities: Book 1
Novel packets
Literature Circles
Week 9 (3/14-3/18): Spring Break
Read ATTC: Book 2
Week 10 (3/21-3/25): Holiday/Bad Weather Day, 3/25
ATTC Literature Circles
ATTC Test over Books 1-2
Read ATTC: Book 3
Matthew Arnold’s “Dover Beach” (949-952)
A.E. Housman’s “To an Athlete Dying Young” (953-956)
Week 11 (3/28-4/1)
Finish ATTC Book 3
Literature Circles
Thomas Hardy (957): “The Darkling Thrush,” (958-959), “The Man He Killed “ (960), “Ah,
Are You Digging on My Grave?” (961)
Final Test over ATTC
Week 12 (4/4-4/8):
Writing Workshop: Poetry Analysis Essay (964-969)
PEG Writing drafts
Writing Conferences
Unit Six: The Modern Age (1901-1950)
Week 13 (4/11-4/15):
Unit Six Introduction (982-996)
The Modern British Short Story (1020-1021)
George Orwell’s “Shooting an Elephant (1031-1039)
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Research
Week 14 (4/14-4/22):
Research Paper: Proposal and Annotated Bibliography
Week 15 (4/25-4/29):
Research Paper: reading, note-taking, and drafting
Week 16 (5/2-5/6): Last week of college classes
Writing Conferences
Final draft of research paper due
Week 17 (5/9-5/13): Finals
The 4th period final is from 11:05-11:51 on Tuesday, 5/10/16.
The 5th period final is from 11:55-1:16 on Tuesday, 5/10/16
Note the following important dates:
2/3/15: Census Day; last day for a “clean drop”
4/1/16: Last day to drop a class with a “W”
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