Woodside Priory School
Kindra Briggs
Email: kbriggs@prioryca.org
Phone: 650-815-6104
Office hours: T/H after school and by appt
Foundations I: World Literature
Foundations I Course Syllabus
Overview:
This course will focus on novels, short stories, plays, and poems that come from different parts of the world. Most of our reading will
come from the 20th century, an era that profoundly shaped the world we know today. The great social movements of the last
century – in particular, the emergence of countries from European colonial domination to national independence, the waves of
immigration that swept whole populations to new homes across the globe, and the resulting cultural upheaval – literally
transformed the world. Indeed, we are living in a global age. Over the next several months, we will focus on some of the themes that
consistently surface within stories of struggle and transformation written during this time in four genre-driven units: the Short Story,
the Play, the Novel, and the Graphic Novel. Within these units, we will return to the following questions again and again:
 What is cultural identity and how can it influence the way we think,
read, and write? Why is it important to read literature from other
cultures? How can learning about other cultures help inform our
understanding of our own culture?
 In what ways are communities formed? How do we participate in
the creation of community, both local and global? What is it that joins us
despite our differences? What keeps us divided?
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What does it mean to have power? What does it mean to be
powerless? What role does power play in the choices we make (or
cannot make)?
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What makes a good reader, writer, and thinker?
Learning Objectives:
As we discuss and explore these questions, we will also be working towards becoming more effective readers, writers, and thinkers.
By the end of the course, you will be able to…
 Read a text for meaning using active reading strategies such as questioning, making connections, drawing inferences and
conclusions, summarizing, and synthesizing.
 Demonstrate what defines effective class discussion by
o Asking good questions
o Listening and responding to one another
o Referencing the text
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Analyze how the literary techniques of a text build its meaning, focusing on
o Elements such as characterization, setting, plot/conflict, and point-of-view
o Stylistic devices such as diction, tone, syntax, figurative language, imagery
Develop and articulate an argument (both orally and in writing) based on close reading
Write a coherent, well-reasoned, well-supported, and thesis-driven essay
Respond to topics and make meaning of literature through research, discussion, journals, and essays
Use and incorporate new vocabulary into writing
Apply grammar concepts that strengthen your writing
Course Texts:
Here is a list of the texts we will read this year –
 When I was Puerto Rican, Esmerelda Santiago
 War Dances, Sherman Alexie
 Macbeth, William Shakespeare
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Dew Breaker, Edwidge Danticat
A Small Place, Jamaica Kincaid
Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi
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Staying Organized:
You will need the following materials on a daily basis –
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A three ring binder for : Unit Handouts, Writing Handouts,, Class Notes (with lined paper), Everything Else, and graded work
A student planner to record all assignments
Any texts being discussed
A writing utensil
Class Policies:
Please refer to the following throughout the year –
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Tips for Success –
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No excuses – To be counted for full credit, all work must be complete, legible, and present in paper form when class begins.
If you have not done your work, please simply tell me that you didn’t do it. Instead of sharing an elaborate story, tell me
your plan for making the work up. Of course, there will always be times when you have a legitimate excuse (illness, family
emergency, etc.). As long as you communicate clearly and honestly with me from the start, I will work with you on any
problem you might have.
No whining – This is an academically challenging class – you will be expected to do work. Please keep your groans and cries
of pain to yourself. I am here to support you in whatever way I can – if you are truly overwhelmed, come talk to me and
we’ll work out a plan.
Listen to each other – In our daily class discussions, it will be important that you listen and respond to each other. I will not
tolerate side conversations or other disrespectful behavior. We are all responsible for building a safe intellectual space.
Don’t be nosy – Your grades are your business – I do not want to hear any discussions about who got what on ANY
assignment. I cannot control what you do when you leave this classroom, but please try to remember that you never know
when you’re putting someone on the spot or making someone feel bad. Mind your own business.
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Lap Top Policy – Use your laptop wisely; this means for notes, on-line research when needed and group work . If you are playing
games, using social medias networks, or are otherwise off topic I reserve the right to refuse the use of the device during class.
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Haiku – Our class will use Haiku. This is where I will post important class announcements, homework assignments, course
resources, and daily handouts. Be sure to check your school email regularly as I will send out class announcements/reminders
from time to time
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Late Work – Major assignments (essays and projects) turned in late will be penalized one full grade (e.g. B+ to C+). I will only
make exceptions for work that is late due to illness or other excused circumstances. If you do not turn in your work within one
day, your grade will be lowered by an additional third (e.g. from C+ to C) each day you fail to complete the assignment. Expect
me to contact your parents if you do not turn in any major assignments on time. Daily homework assignments will lose 25%
each class day the work is late. I will not accept homework that comes in more than three days late.
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Lateness – There are no bells at Priory, so YOU are responsible for getting yourself to class on time. This is particularly true after
lunch and break. If you are late after lunch or break (without a note from another teacher) OR if you are repeatedly late after
another class, expect to serve detention. Repeated tardies will result in further consequences.
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Absences – You are responsible for any missed work due to absence – I WILL NOT TRACK YOU DOWN. See me on the day of our
next class meeting to make arrangements for making up any in-class work. If you do not make up a test/quiz or turn in missing
work within 3 class meetings, your grade for that assignment will be penalized. Be resourceful in getting missed work or
reading assignments; email me, check Haiku, or facebook your friends.
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Grading – All work is equally important to the learning process. Point breakdown is generally as follows, though there will be
alterations depending on difficulty and length of assignments:
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Informal take home responses: 20 points
In-class journaling and written responses: 20 points
Class participation/preparedness: 10-20 points
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Formal in-class essays: 50 points
Formal Take-home essays/projects: 100 points
Academic Integrity – Please remember that as we build a classroom community, academic integrity is of the utmost importance.
I expect and trust that each of you will complete your own work for this class. However, any incidence of cheating/plagiarism
will result in an automatic zero for the assignment. Repeated offenses may also result in notification on one’s transcript,
suspension, or dismissal.
For this class, you may not work on homework assignments together unless I’ve given you explicit permission to do so. All
writing must be your own or cited correctly using MLA.
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A Note on Tutors – I understand that many of you have tutors. This is acceptable and in many cases, tutors can be
beneficial to your growth as a writer. However, you need to be careful that your work is just that - yours. Keep in
mind, turning in work that does not sufficiently reflect your own voice and style constitutes cheating under Priory’s
academic policy. To avoid turning in work that is “overly-tutored,” I strongly suggest that you follow these
guidelines:
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Never compose with your tutor. Write the entire first draft by yourself.
Allow your tutor to make suggestions and point out places where the writing is awkward or unclear, but do
not allow him or her to rewrite your sentences.
Choose your own words – do not allow your tutor to substitute “fancier” words for your own.
Once your tutor has made his or her suggestions, revise the paper, proofread your work, and turn it in. Do not
meet with your tutor a second time for the same assignment. You should be the final editor.
If you are using a tutor, please have him or her contact me so that we can communicate with one another
Email Policy & Etiquette: I am always happy to answer your questions over email, particularly if you have questions about your
writing or a specific assignment. I will almost always respond to your email on the same day that I have received it; however, I
cannot guarantee that this will always be the case. I will not respond to emails sent after 7 p.m. until the next day. Do not
rely on email for things like homework extensions. Practice professional communication when writing emails. This means
including a specific subject line, addressing the email to Mrs.Briggs, and signing the email with your name. And keep in mind,
politeness goes a long way. If you need something from me, words like “please” and “thank you” are highly recommended.
Student Signature: ___________________________
Parent Signature: ______________________________
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