10 th Grade World Literature
Kamehameha Secondary School
English Department 2013 - 2014
Instructor: Mr. Joshua Lazarus
Overview
What is language? Does it originate within us?
In the Hebrew Bible, on the first day of the creation of the world, it reads: “And God said, “‘Let there be light.’ And there was.” Every day that follows the first day is similarly spoken into existence by God. If humans are, as the Book of Genesis goes on to say, created in God’s image, can our language call new worlds into existence? What about worlds long gone?
And who are we—the humans—in this scenario? Are we, as philosopher Cornel West says,
“featherless, two-legged, linguistically conscious creatures whose bodies will one day be the culinary delight of terrestrial worms?” Or are we, as astronomer Jill Tarter says, “wandering star dust that evolves for so long it begins to ask where it came from?”
Over the course of the school year, our class will examine these essential questions within a liberal framework of world literature. In the first quarter term, we will examine what constitutes as literature, questioning ways language can be observed and used. We will trace the technology of writing back to the oral origins of language. In the second quarter term, we will investigate how literacy and orality impact and inform human interactions. Additionally, we will be forced to confront the colonialism embedded in our language(s). The third quarter term will ask us to repurpose our understanding of language (from a form of communication) to a means of cultural resistance. Lastly, in the fourth quarter term, we will explore the language of revolution, both socio-politically and spiritually.
Our comparative readings are designed to sensitize us as readers and thinkers. Our writing assignments will offer us opportunities to apply and reinforce the skills and knowledge gained in previous English courses (i.e., grammar, vocabulary, stylistic persuasion, etc.). Our course work will expand on familiar literary forms (novels, short stories, dramas, essays, and poems) in order to encompass new ones, such as spoken word and oral narratives. We will continue to engage deeply with the oral and literary traditions of indigenous Hawaiians, while exploring those found within other cultures presently in Hawai'i. Our class will strive for a deeper appreciation of what it means to be 'Ike Hawai'i within a global context.
Course Goals
Our class will fully integrate literary selections by

10 th Grade World Literature
 individually annotating and completing all assigned readings on time
 preparing notes on readings for class discussion
 actively participating in class discussions
 engaging fully with reading-based writing prompts
 attentively partaking in Ho'opapa (dual learning) initiatives
Our class will frequently engage with assigned readings and writing prompts in a communal workshop by
 demonstrating Pono (respect and deference) for oneself and one’s fellow student writers
 revising past work with the goal of creating a portfolio to be shared at our end-ofsemester class reading
 striving to communicate honesty and clearly in workshop with peers in order to write more effectively as a group
Our class will strive to identify and build on these key components of literature
 plot
 setting
 characterization
 foreshadowing
 conflict
 point of view
 theme
 symbolism
 satire
 irony
 inference
Our class will work to apply and reinforce these skills in writing
 vocabulary and literary terminology
 grammar and syntax
 sentence structuring
 inquiry and interrogation
 evidence vs. generalizing
 objective vs. subjective (literal vs. figurative)
Our class will utilize technology in constructive and beneficial ways by

10 th Grade World Literature
 implementing course work on Blackboard
 participating in online resources (Edmodo and Google Docs, etc.) to create a virtual classroom and discussion board
 keeping cell phones off during class hours
 using laptops in class only when assigned by the instructor and only for the task he/she specified
 failure to comply with either rule will result in the automatic deduction of a full letter grade at the end of the grading period
Course Materials
First Quarter – Second Quarter

Mason, Herbert. Gilgamesh ‘A Verse Narrative.’ Mariner Books 2003
ISBN-10: 0618275649

Golding, William. Lord of the Flies. Perigee Books Reissued from 1959
ISBN-10: 0399501487

Wiesel, Elie. Night. Hill and Wang 2006
ISBN-10: 0374500010
Third Quarter – Fourth Quarter

Haleole, S.N. Laieikawai. Kalamaku Press, 2007
ISBN-10: 0970959761

Hesse, Herman. Siddhartha. Modern Library Reprint 2007
ISBN-10: 0812974786
Supplementary Readings
(These readings will be provided for you and are subject to change)

Warren, R.P. Tell Me a Story

Merwin, W.S. The Folding Cliffs (Books 1 & 2)

Ong, Walter J. Orality & Literacy

Plato’s Dialogue (Allegory of the Cave)

Gnanadesikan, Amalia. The Writing Revolution

Hebrew Bible (JPS), Genesis

Darwin, Charles. Charles On the Origins of Species

Levi, Primo. Survival in Auschwitz

Frankl, Victor. Man’s Search for Meaning

Jabes, Edmond. Book of Questions

10 th Grade World Literature

Lao Tzu. Tao Te Ching

Trask, Haunani Kay. From a Native Daughter

Rilke, R.M. Letters to a Young Poet
Supplies
Students will responsible for the following at the start of each class
 binders, folders, organizers etc.
 portable 3-hole punch
 a writing journal with bound seam
 working pens and pencils
 index cards for vocabulary building
Student Responsibilities
1) Follow all rules outlined in the Student Handbook
2) Come to class each day with assignments completed and materials needed that day
3) Work productively in group settings
4) Be attentive to the ideas of others and tolerant of diverse opinions
5) Give full attention to whomever is speaking to the class
6) Attend all assigned study sessions and seek help when necessary
7) Complete and format all writing assignments using Word (or compatible word-processing programs)
8) Complete all work as assigned, including group work
 lateness will result in penalized grades— (see section on lateness below)
9) Attend class and avoid absences
 a readmit slip must be submitted for any absence other than an excused school activity
 inform the instructor beforehand if you must go on a field trip or other planned absence
 if you miss class, visit the instructor before or after class or during study help on the day you return to school

10 th Grade World Literature
10) Avoid tardiness
 you are expected to be in the room, ready to work when the bell rings
 chronic tardiness will be result in penalized grades and will be reported to the Unit
Administrator
11) Be considerate of each other's rights and feelings and behave with courtesy and profound respect for all in our class
Grading Procedures
1) All assignments will be given a numerical value. Some tests and compositions and other major assignments will be worth more points than others. Your letter grade for the quarter is based on a daily reading, writing, discussion, performance, creativity, testing, and project percentages.
2) Daily classwork and homework will be checked and assessed for credit. The points a student earns will vary depending on the assignment. This will count toward a grade average with the daily reading and writing percentage.
3) The quarter grade will be computed as such:

40% in-class work (including quizzes and participation)

40% homework

20% exams
4) The semester grade will be computed by adding the quarter averages (40% each) and the final exam grade (20%).
5) The final exam will be a “Blue Book” collegiate style test, requiring students to respond to a writing prompt.
Grading Scale
93% -
90% -
87% -
83% -
80% -
77% -
73% -
70% -
67% -
63% -
60% -
100% =
92%
89%
86%
82%
=
=
=
=
79% =
76% =
72% =
69% =
66% =
62% =
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-

10 th Grade World Literature
0 % -

59% = F
Requests from students, counselors, parents, and administrators will be honored as soon as possible. Please check KS Connect often.

If your grade falls to a D+ or lower grade range, your parents, guardians, and/or dorm advisors will be informed via KS Connect. If your grade drops at the end of the quarter, an explanation will appear on your progress report.
Late Work
1) All assignments will be lowered by as much as 50% if overdue; thereafter, partial credit can possibly be earned, depending on the nature of each assignment. Some assignments will receive no credit if late. (Note: Major assignments, including all writing assignments, must be completed in order to pass each quarter.)
3) Going to Hale Ola on the day a major composition or project is due does not count as an excuse for a student not turning in the assignment. It is your responsibility of each student to see to the completion of their work on a timely basis.
Make-up Assignments
If absent, the student must quickly obtain information on work missed from the teacher. Work will be due in a reasonable amount of time depending on the length of his/her absence and the nature of the assignment. It is up to the student to make arrangements with the teacher in a timely and appropriate manner.
Study Help
If a student would like to request additional assistance, they must arrange a time to meet with the teacher.
If additional assistance is needed, students can seek out resources in the Student Support
Center (SSC).
Signatures
I have read the Course Summary for ENGLISH 10 World Literature and understand the policies of our class.
Student Name: (Please Print)
Period:

10 th Grade World Literature
Student Signature:
Date:
Parent/Guardian/Dorm Advisor Signature:
Date: