British Literature II Syllabus
Winter 2015
Instructor Information
Instructor
Email
Alana Jevert
jeverta@nclack.k12.or.us
Blog:
http://www.clackamasmiddlecollege.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=460561&type=u
General Information
Description
There is only one author that must be taught with the new Common Core State Standards, and that is
Shakespeare.
This is a theme-related, literature-based course focused on the history of British Literature designed for the student
who performs at grade level or above. The literature is chronologically divided into historical literary periods.
Attention is given to theme-oriented drama, non-fiction, essays, and poetry. Literary devices, content, style, and
cultural diversity are studied. Vocabulary skills, research skills, public speaking, various forms of composition, as well
as technology are integrated into the course. In order to prepare students for the college setting, knowledgeable
discourse of the subject matter will be required. A formal, documented essay, and a literary work sample are required
assignments.
Expectations and Goals
The aim of this course is to study the major writers of the British Isles. We study the text of Britain because it is the
birthplace of the most common language spoken in the world today. To understand the present, we must explore the
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past. This course is a chance to explore the ideas, philosophies, and cultures from bygone eras so that we might benefit
from the success and failures of the people who endured them. Of the best ways to do this is to examine the literature
of those people, a direct reflection on time and events in whatever period the text was written. The process of
analyzing ideas and different points of view will expand our thinking on the issues the various authors raise.
It is our aim to teach you to express your thoughts, impressions, and opinions so that they can be understood by the
average reader. You will be expected to write cogent essays that are well-developed and express the validity of your
thoughts. As you study literature, the awareness should strike you that there are many “right” answers to the issues
discussed. What is important is not that you reach some sanctioned conclusion, but that your conclusions are
defensible. We work through three levels of analysis: literal, historical/cultural, and allegorical to show high-level
critical thinking.
It is also important to assess a work’s artistic merit. It is important to remember that it is possible to recognize the
artistry with which something is written without personally “liking” it. It is also important to recognize various literary
forms, and how authors use various literary devices to tell a story. As a result, you should come to understand
literature, its artistry and craft.
Course Materials
Required Materials
Students need to bring his/her materials to class every day. This includes novels checked out to the student and course
reading materials.
 “Journal-style” notebook
 English folder/binder
 Loose-leaf paper
 Pens
 Daily planner/calendar
 Additional materials for projects as needed.
Texts
The British Tradition, Prentice Hall Literature
The Language of Literature- Christopher North
Bulfinch’s Medieval Mythology-Thomas Bulfinch
The First Trumpet Blast Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women- John Knox
Macbeth- William Shakespeare (play script and film adaptation)
Essays – Sir Francis Bacon
***PLEASE NOTE: all readings, films, assignments are required to show understanding of the course objectives. I do not
give “alternate” assignments or readings, with the exception of R-rated films. In that instance, students and parents
will receive a permission slip in advance, and an alternative assignment will be available for those who “opt-out”.
'It is the mark of an educated man to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it'—Aristotle
College-readiness means that one is able to approach the complexities of the world with intelligence, maturity and
grace. In my opinion, the purpose of education is to prepare oneself to meet the challenges of living in a vast and
diverse world, to cultivate empathy and perspective, and bring forth creative solutions to complex problems.
Individuals who shut down, refuse to learn or participate when faced with opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints other than
their own do not YET exhibit the characteristics necessary to develop into an educated, tolerant human-being. Seek
understanding in all that you encounter, even if you do not agree.
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Course Outline
UNIT Topic
The English Renaissance
Celebrating Humanity
Macbeth
Women in Shakespearean England
Readings
Assorted essays-Sir
Francis Bacon; “Utopia”,
“Speech Before Her
Troops”
Macbeth-play; assorted
articles on history and
cultural connections of
the period, Elizabethan
Drama
Major Assessment
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mid-term
writing work sample
Actor’s notebook
Soliloquy writing
Performance project &
reflective essay
Grading
Projects, Performances, & Essays 50%
Classwork and Participation 25%
Homework 25%
Total: 100%
Assignments & Late Work
1.
2.
3.
All papers (essays, term papers, writing projects, etc.) must be typed and double spaced, 12 pt. font, Times
New Roman, in MLA format, with a correct heading to receive credit. Papers with no name or heading will not
be graded.
Unless otherwise stated or assigned, I want all work to be turned into me physically (printed out or written on
paper). There may be some circumstances when you may email your work to me, if arranged in advance.
LATE WORK- students who turn in frequent late or incomplete work are demonstrating that they are not yet
able to meet the requirements of high school, and therefore not “college-ready”.
a. Late assignments will be accepted for reduced credit. The highest score a late assignment can
receive is 75%, which shows proficiency of the material, but not mastery.
Additional Information and Resources
Attendance
It is important that you be present and maintain regular attendance. Be aware that you are responsible for finding out
what work you missed. Check the blog regularly for updates and assignments. “Seat time” can be made up before or
after school by appointment only. Frequent absenteeism will have consequences on your ability to receive credit for
the class, and be selected for Pathways.
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Expectations
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Cell-phones are not to be used in class. Turn them off, put them away. With permission, there may be times
using a smart phone to access the internet is appropriate; you must ask first. Confiscated phones may be
picked up from Mr. Sein at the end of the day.
Treat adults, your classmates, and yourself with respect.
Treat other people’s belongings with respect. This includes furniture, laptops, books, and other materials.
Clean up after yourself.
Be in your seat, ready to begin, when class starts.
Do not gather at the door before dismissal.
Use school- appropriate language.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is representing another’s thoughts, words, or ideas as your own. This is primarily seen as copying ideas and
writing from the internet. This also includes copying another student’s work. This is a serious offense with serious
consequences. Aside from showing a lack of understanding of the material, it reveals a lack of integrity, in both the
student who cheats, and the ones who allow him/her to do so.
Plagiarism will receive a failing grade of zero (0) for the assignment with no opportunity for make-up, and will be
documented in a referral.
The works of Shakespeare include references to, situations that include, and explicit: homicide, suicide,
regicide, patricide, fratricide, infanticide, cannibalism, gang rape, mutilation, madness, necrophilia, incest,
bestiality, sex, drugs, (there is no rock-n-roll, but there is much bawdy music), witchcraft, necromancy,
homosexuality, cross dressing, Greek & Roman mythology, and political subterfuge.
------------------------------------------cut here and turn in signed syllabus-------------------------------------------------------------
Acknowledgement of Syllabus and Course Policies
I have read the syllabus, and by signing this form show that I understand and agree to follow the expectations and
requirements of the course. This includes policies pertaining to:
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Required reading and course material
Attendance
Plagiarism
Grading policies
Late work
Behavior expectations
Student Signature:______________________________________________________________________________
Student Name (printed) :_________________________________________________________________________
Class Period: ____________________________
Date:________________________________________
Parent Signature:__________________________________________________________________________
Questions or concerns? Please write below and include the best way to contact you. Thank you! –Alana Jevert
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Sacred Writing Time
Sacred : (adjective) holy, hallowed, blessed, consecrated, sanctified, venerated, revered. You can describe
something as sacred when it is regarded as too important to be changed or interfered with.
Three Objectives for Sacred Writing Time
Sacred Writing Time builds
writing fluency skills.
Producing a page of
interesting thoughts in 10
minutes is a goal.
Sacred Writing Time
challenges us to be creative.
We learn to present our ideas
in unique formats.
Sacred Writing Time is when
we practice new writing skills
and vocabulary words.
It's ten simple minutes out of our daily schedule, but it will become one of the most important things we do in the
classroom. We write...every single day...about anything we want. Ten minutes of freedom with our pencils and our
imaginations or our dogmatic, pondering brains. There are no exceptions to this ten-minute time allotment. When
you walk in, those who keep their writer's notebooks in the classroom bin, pull out those notebooks, and find a
seat. Students who take their notebooks home with them every day pull their notebooks out of their binders or
backpacks. As soon as class begins, we have ten minutes of silence, and I monitor, making sure everyone's pencil is
dancing.
Ralph Fletcher--in his awesome how-to-be-a-writer books--talks about walking through the world with a "writer's
eyes." Smart people walk through the world and make observations, but making an observation doesn't make you a
writer; it makes you an observer and a thinker. Writers are thinkers who take the time to write their observations
down, good writers write them down so they're engaging to reread or to share, and it’s my goal to provide ten
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minutes so that their students can turn their thinking into interesting snippets writing. "We write to prove that we
think" shall be our motto.
Grading Guidelines
I maintain a special SWT page in my grade book that is a spreadsheet with everyone’s name on it. On any day a
student doesn’t use all ten minutes, I write the date next to their name. Every two weeks, students earn an SWT
grade from me, and they receive full credit provided they have no dates written next to their names. If I catch
someone doing homework instead of writing in their notebooks, I write the date next to their name, and maybe
destroy it. If they stare into space, I warn them, and I write the date next to their name on the second warning.
When someone is absent, I write the date next to their names, and know they owe their writer's notebooks ten
minutes and that they have to show me the entry (we write the date next to every entry) in order for me to cross
off that date in my grade book. Notebooks are visual, so a lot attempt to color during their ten minutes, and I say
no to that; the ten minutes every day must be spent writing, and if you exhaust your topic, start a new one. These
are the simple-to-follow rules that earn full credit in my grade book.
I will collect notebooks at random to take a closer look at your writing, give you feedback and rewards.
I have a number of resources to help you get started writing for ten minutes a day. If you find yourself searching
for topics, consult the “Bingo Card” for the month, or the “Choice Menu” of the month if you're up for a real
challenge, or you can respond to anything that's written up there on the Sacred Writing Time PowerPoint slide.
Just knowing that the next time you enter the classroom you will be doing Sacred Writing Time should encourage
you to actively walk through the world looking for interesting topics!
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