AP English 12 (Literature and Composition)
Julie Culpepper
Julie.culpepper@hsv-k12.org
(256) 428-8050, Ext. 225
Edmodo code:
Noredink code:
Course Description and Objectives:
AP English 12 focuses on language art skills and world literature. Students will learn to read critically, to appreciate
the craft and structure of what they read, to write clearly and coherently, to lead discussion of literary works, and to
collaborate effectively with their peers. Frequent timed writing of critical/ analytical essays is a vital part of the
course. Students are required to take the AP Literature and Composition exam in May. If they score a 3, 4, or 5,
they may receive college credit and/or qualify for advanced standing upon entering college.
On a personal note, as your senior English teacher, my goal is to prepare you for the next step in your lives. For
many of you, that will be college, but no matter what your future plans, I hope that my class will help you see the
importance of taking responsibility for the choices that you make.
Expectations:
 Be on time.
Class starts when the bell rings. Three tardies will result in detention before or after school.
 Come to class prepared.
I will give you a day-by-day syllabus at the beginning of each semester. Keep it in your notebook, and look
at it daily!
Bring a pencil/ pen as well as your binder for note taking/ handouts.
Keep a separate “Poetry” section in your binder.
Bring your charged laptop.
You’ll need highlighters: yellow, green, blue, pink and orange
 Check Edmodo every single day.
All homework and major assignments will be posted there. In addition, I often send reminders. Don’t be
a dodo! Check Edmodo!!
 Do your own work.
Don’t take shortcuts. Do your best and learn to trust your ability to analyze. The better able you are to
read critically, the easier everything becomes, but becoming a good reader takes practice. Do the work.
 Treat me and each other with respect.
Absences:
Students are expected to procure make-up work, classwork, and notes when absent. Make-up work should be
completed as soon as possible. If you come to school at all the day that something is due, be sure to turn it in, even if
you check in or out and miss my class.
Grades:
Grades are determined based on the following procedures:
 60% Summative Assessment
This includes writing assignments (poetry responses, some essays, etc.), tests, and projects.
 30% In-class Assignments
This includes noredink diagnostics, group work, quizzes, multiple choice, and some essays.
 10% Homework
This includes short story assignments, noredink and other homework assignments.
The grading scale for Huntsville City Schools is 90-100 A; 80-89 B; 70-79 C; 60-69 D; below 60 F.
If a student does not complete an assignment, a grade of “1” will be used as a placeholder in iNOW.
For work turned in late, the following percentages reflect the highest possible grade that may be earned.
1 day late = 70%
6 days late = 45%
2 days late = 65 %
7 days late = 40 %
3 days late = 60 %
4 days late = 55 %
5 days late = 50 %
8 days late = 35 %
9 days late = 30 %
10 days late = 1
Extra Help:
I am available by appointment before or after school to help anyone who is having difficulty in my class. If you’d
like to drop by without an appointment, I am usually in or around my room after school until at least 4:00. In
addition, I will be happy to talk to or meet with your parents at any time.
1st Semester Topics:
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
The Stranger by Albert Camus
A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
2nd Semester Topics (TBA, but they will include):
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Othello by William Shakespeare
Students will write weekly poetry responses, approximately 3 essays each nine weeks, and complete a research
project. In addition, several times each semester, students will work with one or two partners to lead discussion on a
piece of literature.
A day-by-day syllabus for first semester begins on the next page.
AP English 12
Culpepper
Name_______________________________
AP English 12 Syllabus
1st Semester 2015
So much great literature, so little time! I have spent many hours this summer trying to come up with a
manageable plan for the year. We will scratch the surface of some of the world’s greatest works and write about
them in a variety of ways. The literary choices should both help us to define ourselves and force us to question our
assumptions about ourselves. They should be broad enough to allow us to see our place in the world and limited
enough to afford us focus. They should provide us with vicarious experiences appropriate enough that when we are
faced with the questions that people have always faced, we can say, “This has happened before. Oedipus, also,
reached too high; he, too, found painful truth.” And they should teach the joy of a well-spoken word.
Besides all this, we will learn the language of criticism, discover ways to talk about literature, and prepare
for a national exam. I’ll do all I can to get you ready without your even knowing it!
Here are some things you need to do: Read the material. Class discussion will be richer for you if you
know what we are talking about. The material should be read before you come to class. When, for example, I write
“Oedipus Rex due,” I mean that you should have the entire play read (carefully) when you come to class that day.
The reading is spaced so that there is time to get through it if you plan ahead and use your time wisely. Don’t just
turn the pages; read for understanding. You will be tested before discussion, and you will write an essay after
discussion. I may also give homework assignments that are not listed on the syllabus. Always be prepared. Follow
the syllabus. You may miss days, but class will go on even when you are not here. The syllabus will tell you what
we are doing. More than likely I will have to make some changes in the syllabus to tailor it to our needs. These
changes may include additions to the /or subtractions from it. Participate in class. Many discussions will be
student-led, but daily participation is also required. The more you put into this class, the more you will get out of it.
Come to class, come to class ON TIME, and come to class prepared (with necessary book(s), charged
computer, paper, pencil, pen). I want you to realize how important your attendance is to the success of this class.
Many days you will be in charge. Not showing up on these days is not an option. Much of our study will require
close reading of passages; therefore, having your book on the days of presentations and/ or discussion is crucial. Do
everything in your power to be present on the day of a test; make-up tests are much more difficult than the original
tests.
I’m really excited about our year together. Know that I am glad to help you any way that I can.
Text:
Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Ed. X. J. Kennedy and Dana
Gioia. 5th Compact Edition. New York: Pearson Longman, 2009.
Additional Major Works for 1st semester:
Yann Martel Life of Pi*
Sophocles Oedipus Rex (in textbook)
Toni Morrison Song of Solomon
Albert Camus The Stranger
Tennessee Williams A Streetcar Named Desire
Charlotte Bronte Jane Eyre (to read over Christmas break)
*This was a summer reading book, so you should already have a copy. In a few weeks, I’ll order copies of Song of
Solomon, The Stranger, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Jane Eyre for those who need them. In early January, I’ll
order books for 2nd semester.
August 4
August 5
August 6
First-day-of-school chaos. Handouts: Syllabus, Class Guidelines, and PC passes. Discuss the
importance of doing your own work. Summer reading project on Between Shades of Grey, Code
Name Verity, Hourglass, The Picture of Dorian Gray, OR Somewhere in the Darkness due
August 31st. Very specific reading test on Life of Pi on August 26th will precede our study of the
novel. Handouts: Advice from former students, AP Vocabulary for 1 st nine weeks.
TED talk—the importance of showing up. Explanation of one-page writing assignment—due
Monday, August 10th.
Noredink diagnostic: Using Quotations. Visual images: moving from observation to analysis.
August 7
Handouts: “What is Poetry?”/ “The Secret,” “This Is Just to Say,” TP-FASTT, SOAPSTone,
Small group work on poems. Connecting devices to meaning: clip from Wit. Noredink assignment
on Using Quotations due by 11 pmTuesday, August 11.
August 10
One-page assignment due. Handouts: Sample responses, AP Poetry Assignment, “The Red
Wheelbarrow.” We’ll work through “The Red Wheelbarrow” together.
Noredink assignment on Using Quotations due by 11 pm. More on “The Red Wheelbarrow.”
First official poetry response assignment: “The Writer”/ “The Lanyard”--due by Friday at
beginning of class.
*IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
No outside sources (except a dictionary) are allowed—this includes input from classmates,
siblings, parents, former students, etc. Place responses in the basket on my desk or turn in via
Edmodo NO LATER than the beginning of class on Friday. I will always accept them early.
Responses turned in after the beginning of class will not receive full credit.
August 11
August 12
August 13
August 14
August 17
August 18
August 19
August 20
August 21
August 24
August 25
August 26
August 27
August 28
August 31
September 1
September 2
September 3
September 4
Quiz on words 1-10. Handout: Literary Terms (many will be familiar to you; start learning terms
that are not familiar—you’ll have a major test on Sept. 15th, but more importantly, your ability to
talk/write about literature requires your understanding of these terms). Close reading: “The
Chaser.” Levels of questions. Identifying theme. SS assignment on “The Prodigal Son” (p. 197)
due Wednesday, August 19th.
Group work
Poetry response #1 (“The Writer”/ “The Lanyard”) due. New poems: “Acquainted with the
Night”/”My First Poem for You.” Notes on sonnets.
Information on writing resumes, filling out college applications, asking for recommendations, and
writing application essays. Discuss one-page “self” papers. By Thursday, Sept. 3rd, choose a
college application essay topic from a school of your choice (or use one of the common app
topics) and answer it in a well-written essay. Include the essay topic/ question at the top of page.
Submit via Edmodo.
Poetry presentation assignments.
SS assignment on “The Prodigal Son” due. Xword on 1-10. Discussion of “The Writer” and
“The Lanyard.”
Discussion of “The Prodigal Son” (the importance of close reading, seeing familiar stories with
fresh eyes).
Poetry response #2 (“Acquainted with the Night”/ “My First Poem for You”) due. New poems:
“Bright Star”/ “What Lips My Lips Have Kissed.” Discussion of “The Author to her Book.”
Mapping out the poetry essay.
More on how to approach the poetry essay.
In-class poetry essay.
Quiz on 11-20. Test on Life of Pi. TED talk—think about different ways it relates to Martel’s
novel.
Intro to novel. Assign discussion questions—due Monday, August 31st by beginning of class.
Poetry response #3 (“Bright Star”/ “What Lips”) due. New poems: “Leda and the Swan”/ “The
Cambridge Ladies.” Group work.
Summer Reading Project on Between Shades of Grey, Code Name Verity, Hourglass, The
Picture of Dorian Gray, OR Somewhere in the Darkness due AND Life of Pi discussion
questions due. Poetry presentations on “Acquainted with the Night” and “My First Poem for
You.”
Life of Pi
X-word quiz on words 11-20. Life of Pi
College essay due. SS assignment on “The Story of an Hour” (p. 326) due Wednesday, Sept. 9th.
Life of Pi
Poetry response #4 (“Leda”/ “The Cambridge Ladies”) due. New poems: “Gretel in Darkness”/
“Mirror.” In-class essay on Life of Pi.
September 7
September 8
September 9
September 10
September 11
Labor Day Holiday—No School
Video: Life of Pi
Quiz on words 21-30. SS assignment on “The Story of an Hour”due. Video: Life of Pi .
Finish video. Begin discussion of “The Story of an Hour.”
Poetry response #5 (“Gretel”/ “Mirror”) due. New poems: “Icarus”/ “To a Friend Whose Work
Has Come to Triumph.” More on “The Story of an Hour.” Theme/ The Literary 3 x 3.
September 14
September 15
September 16
September 17
September 18
Catch-up day. If time, begin notes on origin of drama.
X-word quiz on words 21-30. Notes on the origin of drama and Aristotle’s ideas about tragedy.
Poetry presentations on “Bright Star” and “What Lips.”
Test on literary terms. For homework, AP Multiple choice: poetry + hints
½ day for students Poetry response #6 (“Icarus”/ “To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to
Triumph”) due. New poems: “One Art”/ “Lonely Hearts.”
September 21
September 22
September 23
September 24
September 25
Oedipus the King (pp.887-924) due. Test.
Sonnet assignment—due Wednesday, Sept. 30th. Oedipus the King
Vocabulary test on words 1-30. Oedipus the King
Oedipus the King
Poetry response #7 ((“One Art”/ “Lonely Hearts”)) due. New poems: “Song: Go and Catch a
Falling Star”/ “A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning.” Oedipus the King
September 28
September 29
September 30
Oedipus the King
Poetry presentations on “Leda and the Swan” and “Cambridge Ladies.”
Sonnet (including scansion + self-evaluation) due. Assign vocab. words for 2nd 9 weeks. Poetry
presentations on “Gretel” and “Mirror.”
PC pass expires today—be sure to turn it in if you haven’t already used it! Intro to Song of
Solomon. Interview with Toni Morrison.
End of 1st nine weeks. Poetry response #8 (“Song: Go and Catch a Falling Star”/ “A Valediction:
Forbidding Mourning.”) due. New poems: “Museum Piece”/ “Early Purges.” New requirement
for poetry responses: poetry focus statements.
October 1
October 2
October 5-9
Fall Break
October 12
October 13
October 13
October 14
October 15
October 16
Multiple choice: prose + hints
Poetry presentations on “Icarus” and “To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to Triumph.”
Test on Song of Solomon Multiple choice: prose
Quiz on 1-10. Group work on Song of Solomon
Song of Solomon
Poetry response #9 (“Museum”/ “Early”) due. New poems: “Death of the Ball Turret Gunner”/
“Traveling through the Dark.” Song of Solomon
October 19
October 20
October 21
October 22
Song of Solomon
Song of Solomon
Xword on 1-10. Multiple choice: poetry
SS assignment on “Hills like White Elephants” due Wednesday, October 28th. Poetry presentations
on “One Art” and “Lonely Hearts.”
½ day for students. Poetry response #10 (“Death of the Ball Turret Gunner”/ “Traveling”) due.
New poems: “Channel Firing”/ “Dulce et Decorum est.”
October 23
October 26
October 27
October 28
October 29
October 30
Villanelle assignment—due November 4th. Preparing for the open essay.
In-class essay on Song of Solomon.
SS assignment on “Hills” due. Quiz on words 11-20. Multiple choice: prose
Poetry presentations on “Song” and “A Valediction.”
Poetry response #11 (“Channel”/ “Dulce”) due. New poems: “Constantly
Risking Absurdity”/ “A Work of Artifice.” Poetry presentations on “Museum Piece” and “Early
Purges.”
November 2
November 3
November 4
November 5
November 6
Discussion of “Hills.”
Poetry presentations on “Death of the Ball Turret Gunner” and “Traveling through the Dark.”
Villanelle (including scansion + self-evaluation) due. X-word quiz on words 11-20. Multiple
choice: poetry
Poetry presentations on “Channel Firing” and “Dulce et Decorum est.”
Poetry response #12 (“Constantly”/ “A Work”) due. New poem: “Porphyria’s Lover.” Notes on
Existentialism.
November 9
November 10
November 11
November 12
November 13
“The Myth of Sisyphus.”
Quiz on words 21-30. Multiple choice: prose
Veterans’ Day Holiday—No School
Poetry presentations on “Constantly Risking Absurdity” and “A Work of Artifice.”
Poetry response #13 (“Porphyria’s”) due. New poems: “For the Sleepwalkers”/ Living in Sin.”
Test on The Stranger. Video: “Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?”
November 16
November 17
November 18
November 19
November 20
The Stranger. “Annotating a poem or prose passage” + assignment for Thursday.
The Stranger.
X-word quiz on words 21-30. Multiple choice: poetry
Poetry presentation on “Porphyria’s Lover” Annotations due. The Stranger.
Poetry response #14 (“For the Sleepwalkers”/ “Living”) due. New poems: “Mid-term Break”/
“Ethics.” The Stranger.
November 23-27 Thanksgiving Holiday
November 30
December 1
December 2
December 3
December 4
In-class work on planning the prose essay.
In-class essay on a prose passage. Poetry presentations on “For the Sleepwalkers” and “Living in
Sin.”
Vocabulary test on words 1-30. Introduction to A Streetcar Named Desire. Video
Video: A Streetcar Named Desire
Poetry response #15 (“Mid-term”/ “Ethics” ) due. Video: A Streetcar Named Desire
December 7
December 8
December 9
December 10
December 11
Test on A Streetcar Named Desire.
Streetcar
Streetcar
Streetcar
PC pass expires today—be sure to turn it in if you haven’t already used it! Poetry
presentations on “Ethics” and “Mid-term Break.”
December 14
December 15
December 16
December 17
December 18
In-class essay on A Streetcar Named Desire
1st and 2nd period exams.
3rd and 4th period exams.
5th and 6th period exams.
End of 1st semester. 7th period exam.
Try to read at least half of Jane Eyre during the break. We’ll have a test on Chapters I-X in early-January, chapters
XI-XVII about a week later, and chapters XVIII-end the following week.