English 12 Syllabus
2012-13

Mr. Chris Pierson, Instructor

Objectives:

Students will develop and refine their abilities as writers, readers, and thinkers, through intensive practice in written analytical arguments.

Student writing--research, drafting, revision, and editing--will take many different forms over the course of the semester and will include essays, formal and informal responses to classmate's work, responses to reading, oral presentations, and public speaking.  As part of a community of writers, students will need to push their own boundaries both in writing and in the classroom, learning to ask of themselves and others the probing questions that will lead us to deeper, more interesting, more challenging ideas about the cultures which surround us.  Reading carefully and critically will give a focus to the course.

 As you write, revise, read critically, and participate in workshops and discussions, you will develop your ability to write more clearly and persuasively, to read and listen carefully and analytically, and to speak with confidence and authority.  These skills comprise critical thinking, which you will practice in this course, use throughout your educational life, and rely on as you take on new challenges.

 Be ready to write, read, and think at all times.

As part of the research component of the course, students will write a proposal for their Senior Project, and will write an inquisitive research paper as part of that project which will include the proposal, the paper, the project, and the final presentation. 

Units  for weeks 1-11:
•    Week #1:     Problem-Solving education
•    Week #2:     Senior Project Proposal/ begin research process
•    Week #3-4   Greek Tragedy
•    Week #5      Personal Writing
•    Week #6-7  Shakespeare’s Macbeth
•    Week #7, 8, 9  Persuasive Writing/ elements of good arguments
•    Week #10-11   Research Paper for Senior Project

Units to draw from following week 11:

• Group Project: “Radio Show” writing, editing, production, presentation.

•        The Illiad   
     •        Boccaccio/ Chaucer/ Beowulf
     •        Expository Writing
     •        The Novel
     •        Contemporary Poetry
     •        Author Research Project
     •        Creative Writing
     •        Intellectual Movements (on going)
     •        20th Century World Fiction
     •        Writers of Witness
•     Fairy Tales, Fantasy, and the Imagination

Written Assignments (Semester):

In addition to readings, discussions, and projects, students will draft 4 formal essays and will submit a final portfolio.  All assignments are due at the beginning of class on the day due and must be typed in a standard 12 point font, double-spaced, and stapled.  Each essay will receive comments from the instructor in a timely manner as well as from class members in workshop.  At the end of the semester, we will devote time and energy to expanding, revising, editing, and polishing shorter essays into two 5-6 page essays, which students will submit with a reflective essay in a writing portfolio.  One of these revisions will be the Senior Paper.

Attendance:
Attendance will be taken in each class.  An absence is defined as ANY TIME you miss class or are more than 10 minutes late to class.  Students leaving classes without permission before the end of the period may be considered absent.

When a student accumulates:

1.  SIX (6) absences in a class, parents/guardians will be contacted (phone or letter)

2.  TEN (10) absences in a class, an administrator or attendance office personnel will conference with the student and contact the parent or guardian;

3.  TWELVE (12) absences in a class, the student and parent/guardian will be notified that there has been a loss of credit.  The student will remain in the class to facilitate continued learning and allow for the right to an appeal.  School related activities (field trips, athletics, etc.) which require a student to miss class do not count towards the absence policy.  All other absences do, including pre-arranged absences and parent approved absences.  Only school activities do not count towards the 12-day policy.

Students have the right to appeal loss of credit.  They must appear before an Attendance Appeals Committee, account for their absences, and appeal for reinstatement of credit

Grading:

Essays/portfolio/journals/projects: 80%

Participation/Discussion: 20%