IB English A1, HL (2015/2016); Senior Year
David Britton (david.britton@fcps.org; also at www.worldofvoices.wordpress.com)
Course Description: The English A1, Higher Level course at Urbana High School will focus on
literature studied in the English language. Instruction will be developed to highly involve students in literary
analysis, resulting in the increased ability of students to formulate and express clear responses to literature.
Works of merit from various cultures and genres will comprise the literary content of the course. In one way,
through this course, students will recognize the artistic, creative, and emotional depth of human activity. In
another way, students will learn to appreciate the skill of authors in crafting their works. Additionally,
students will practice clear, critical expression about the works studied. Assessment will come in both
external and internal forms, with grades being assigned according to successful completion of written exams,
written essays, oral commentaries, and oral presentations.
Purpose: The purpose of this course is to enhance the overall experience of the student involved in the IB
program. With that purpose in mind, the course hopes to pursue the following aims:
 By receiving instruction in the English language, students will solidify their command of their
country’s primary language.
 By reading literature from various cultures, students will gain an international perspective necessary
for success in a global society.
 By studying the craft of writing, students will improve their own oral and written communication
skills.
 By analyzing literature, students will foster clear, critical thinking, as well as encourage imaginative,
independent interpretation of their world.
Additionally, the course aims to instruct students on the techniques of literary criticism, the skills of speaking
and writing in various styles and situations, the practice of comparing literary works, and the process of
engaging texts in a close, detailed manner.
Senior Year Course of Study
August/September
 How to write the college application essay
 Complete in-depth study of Hamlet
 Discussion and activities for A Room of One’s Own
 Introduction to World Literature. Read and study Crime and Punishment
 Russian culture study and application to Crime and Punishment
 Study of Realism
 Practice writing about literature
 Vocabulary study/ Practice for October SAT administration
October/November
 Poetry study: Seamus Heaney, selected study
 World Literature study: Chronicle of a Death Foretold
 South/Central American culture study and application to Chronicle of a Death Foretold
 Study of Magical Realism
 Practice oral commentaries
 Practice writing about literature
December
 World Literature study: Oedipus Rex
 Greek culture study and application to Oedipus Rex
 Study of Tragedy
 Complete recording of Individual Oral Commentary (10 minute analysis of a Heaney
poem; 10 minute interactive discussion of Hamlet or Room)
January/February
 Complete final draft of World Literature essay and submit to IB
 Begin study of drama and the final four works: Death of a Salesman, Equus, Waiting for Godot,
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead

Practice responding to prose and poetry passages to prepare for IB written commentary
March/April
 Complete study of drama and the final four works: Death of a Salesman, Equus, Waiting for
Godot, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
 Practice synthesizing information from the four plays to prepare for IB final exam
 Complete IB final exam practice essays
May
Complete IB Examinations as scheduled (2 hours each)
Paper 1: Analysis of a before-unseen poem or prose passage
Paper 2: Essay response to a question asked about the four plays
Classroom Rules Reminders
 Students are responsible for arriving in class on time; late students must sign in.
 All school rules will be enforced. Regarding the use of electronic devices, students must first ask
permission to use these. Repeat offenders will lose the device for the remainder of the block.
 All persons will be courteous, respectful and considerate to all others at all times.
 Students are responsible for following all directions for the assigned activity.
 Students are responsible for being a productive, contributing member of the class.
 Students must adhere to the UHS Academic Integrity Policy for all assignments.
 Students are expected to be engaged on work assigned in class.
Grades and Make Up Work:
Grades are found on the Pinnacle system. They are divided into three categories: 50% Summative
(tests, final papers, projects, etc…); 40% Formative (quizzes, class work, rough drafts, etc…); and
10% Completion (small homework, discussion, etc…). Grades will be updated weekly.
Please be aware that often “homework” is an amorphous term. Sometimes it may not be assigned on a
nightly basis; it may be stretched over several nights, or may be needed for reading a text or writing a
paper.
Unexcused late work will be marked down 10% for each day the work is late. Each day means each
class. Students are encouraged to turn in work the next day he or she appears in school. For excused
absences, students will have the necessary time to make up the work (usually five school days), and
receive full credit. It is the student's responsibility to request make up work and complete it in a
timely manner. Also, work collected in that class is expected to be handed in when collected;
otherwise, it will receive a late grade. Work completed later in that same day is still considered late.
Malfunctions with computers, transportation, coffee pots, athletic equipment, History IA’s, etc… are
not considered viable excuses for failing to hand in an assignment. Students who anticipate problems
with an assignment should see me for a possible extension.
Partial Day Absences: Students who miss a class period, yet appear in school or after school at
another time of the day, will not receive credit for work completed in the missed class period if the
lateness to school on that day is unexcused (also, work collected in that class will be marked late).
Work completed in that class may be made up for full credit if the partial absence is excused. Students
are highly encouraged to check in to see what was learned in class whenever an absence occurs.
Plagiarism Intolerance Policy: All work submitted or presented must be the original work of the
student, free of material taken from any un-cited outside source. This includes work taken from
another student, from on-line sources, from un-cited texts, from note sources, etc…. Penalties if
caught are severe, and usually result in no credit.
E-mail: I am always happy to answer questions or provide help via e-mail at david.britton@fcps.org.
Work can be e-mailed to me prior to the class when it is due by sending a Microsoft Word document.
Work e-mailed later in the day will be counted late. Please do not e-mail every assignment. This is
for emergency purposes only.
Urbana High School English Department
3471 Campus Drive, Ijamsville MD 21754; 240-236-7600
Principal: Mr. Jay Berno
August, 2015
Parents and Guardians:
Attached to this letter you will find the course description for the English course in which
your son or daughter is enrolled this semester. Please read it over carefully and write below or
contact me with any questions you might have at this time.
Also, please understand that throughout the semester students are assigned a variety of
literature to read. The novels, plays, essays, and poetry which students take home or read in class
reflect a range of views from established authors in order to engage students and make them think.
Teachers have taught them in the Frederick County Public School system for years (all have been
approved by the Frederick County Board of Education and appear on the IB prescribed book lists),
and the works are proven winners with students. I choose each selection for the class based upon its
quality as a work of literature, its readability for the students, and its ability to mesh with the subject
matter taught in class. However, at times literature can use frank language or put forth views
unacceptable to some parents or students. If you as a parent or guardian ever object to a selection
assigned to your child, please feel free to contact me at Urbana High School so we can discuss the
matter and look into acquiring an alternate text to be read.
I’m very much looking forward to working with your son or daughter in this course. I hope
we can all have a fulfilling and successful semester together. Should you wish to have a discussion
about your son or daughter, please reach out via e-mail communication at any time. My e-mail
address is david.britton@fcps.org . Also, I am available for the Fall 2015 semester from 1:002:00pm for meetings or phone conversations, and again after school until 2:45. Finally, I encourage
you to visit my blog, www.worldofvoices.wordpress.com for assignments, student writings,
classroom doings, and lots more. Please sign below to indicate that you have read over these pages,
provide a means of e-mail contact, and detach the bottom of this form so it can be returned to school
tomorrow.
Sincerely,
David Britton
Yes, I have read the content of the course and the above statement.
Name of student ___________________________________
Student e-mail address___________________________________
Name of parent/guardian _______________________________
Parent/guardian e-mail addresses _______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
Signature of parent/guardian _______________________________