KGRadford 1
IB Language A Higher Level (Parts II & III)
2009-2010
IB Language A HL Year Two
IB Language A (HL) Second Year
Instructor:
Kristie Gates Radford
kradford@cppmail.com
607.936.3746 ext. 2930
Room: 211 (for class)
Textbooks
Supplementary Materials
Required Materials
Two Semesters (full year course):
Part I: Detailed Study (Mixed Genre)
Part III: Genre Study—the novel
IB Assessments:
Part I (Mixed Genre Study)—Individual Oral Commentary (January)
Part III (Genre Study)—IB Examination (May)
Period:2
Office: inside the attendance office (7A)
Instructor’s Free Periods:
1st, 3rd and 6-9
In Our Time—Ernest
The Awakening—Kate Chopin
Hemmingway
Heart of Darkness—Joseph Conrad
Hamlet—William Shakespeare
Beloved—Toni Morrison
The Bell Jar—Sylvia Plath
A Chronicle of a Death Foretold—
Selected Poems—John Donne, TS
Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Eliot, Wm. Wordsworth
Bedford St. Martin’s Publishing Company. A Writer’s Reference: Sixth
Edition. Bedford/ St. Martin’s Publishing. 2008. Web. 14 July. 2009.
Croft, Steven, Helen Cross, & Elizabeth Druce English for the IB Diploma.
London: Oxford University Press, 2007. Print.
Hacker, Diana. A Writier’s Reference: Sixth Edition. Bedford St. Martin’s.
2007. Print.
Foster, Thomas C. How to Read Literature Like a Professor. New York:
Harper Collins Publishers, Inc., 2003. Print.
Tomkinson, John L. Study Skills for the International Baccalaureate.
Athens, Greece: Anagnosis, 2006. Print.
a notebook or three-ringed binder (with dividers)
college ruled notebook paper
a pocket folder (writing portfolio)
student journal (black & white composition notebook…or the like)
writing utensil
highlighters in varying colors/ post-it notes
Course Description:
IB Language A1 (HL) Second Year is an intensive literature analysis/interpretation and
composition course in which students for the first semester analyze and interpret a mixed genre of
international selections in a detailed study. For the second semester, students analyze and
interpret novels exclusively. For each work studied, students are required to write a daily journal
assignment, three to five page papers, quote quizzes, and in-class essay exams. In addition,
students must pass rigorous IB required assessments in both oral and written communication in
order to be eligible fore an IB Certificate or Diploma.
Grading Standards:
Late Assignments—All papers are due on the announced due dates. If a word-processing,
computer, and/or printing problem occurs and a student is not able to submit the paper on the
KGRadford 2
IB Language A Higher Level (Parts II & III)
2009-2010
announced date in the proper word-processed format, a handwritten copy will be accepted on the
due date. However, the paper must be submitted thereafter in word-processed form. A reasonable
extension of time for the word-processed paper will be granted. The handwritten and wordprocessed copies must be identical and match. Otherwise the paper will be considered late and will
be subjected to late paper penalties.
A paper that is not submitted on time will receive a 10% reduction in value for the first day it is late.
If it is not submitted on the next class day, it will receive a 20% deduction in value. If the student
does not submit the paper on the second class day following the original due date, it will receive a
grade of 0%.
Originality Reports—All written assignments must be submitted to TurnItIn.com
(www.turnitin.com) by 12 PM (midnight) on their respective due dates. Failure to turn your work
in online for an originality verification will result in a grade of 0% for said assignment.
Attendance Policy:
Since the IB classroom experience is
1. more than just a transfer of information from the teacher to the student, but also is an
opportunity for gaining insights and tolerance of divergent opinions from ideas shared
through open discussion—all of which are necessary in the educated individual;
2. and since, by the fact of the student’s voluntarily entering a situation in which the exchange
of ideas in intrinsic, a student assumes the obligation to participate in all classroom
activities.
3. Educational absences approved by the school and involving school-sponsored programs
and activities will not be counted as class absences.
Because IB Language A is a content-based course that requires daily participation on the part of the
students registered in the class, excessive absence may result in a recommendation from the
instructor that the student be dropped from the class. Otherwise, the student’s grad will most likely
suffer to the point of failure.
Furthermore, because IB Language A instructors must be trained, certified, and approved, home
teaching is not a viable option for students registered in this course.
Accommodations Statement:
Students with documented disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodations. These
accommodations must follow prescribed guidelines:
 the students’ high school IEP will be followed
 students with extended time for in-class assignments and/or exams will be granted
two class periods in one continuous session during which they must complete their
work
 special location, in the form of the testing center will be offered
**Students must understand that they should be self-advocating. If they prefer to
follow/not to follow the state-mandated modifications of an IEP they must bring it to the
attention of the instructor immediately.
Documentation & Citation:
Citations permit readers to put personal claims to the test by including works previously read.
Ideally, sources are primary (first-hand), recent, with good ethos, credentials, and citations.
Because this is a humanities course, the required documentation (parenthetical and otherwise) is
MLA (Modern Language Association) format. Citations must be parenthetical—all documents
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IB Language A Higher Level (Parts II & III)
2009-2010
must also contain a works cited page, listing all sources cited within the word-processed
document.
Types of Assignments
As previously stated, many types of assignments will amalgamate for the formation of your five-week,
ten-week, and final grades for the class. The types of assignments, as well as specific information
about each are as follows:
Journal Notebook Assignments:
Students will be assigned individual journal questions from the assignment sheets on a
random basis at the beginning for each new genre or literature unit. All students will be expected
to answer all of the journal assignment questions and record their answers within their journals.
Journal entries must be handwritten and should follow the conventions of standard written English
(complete sentences, grammatically sound, etc.). All journals will be collected for inspection and
spot-checking at the end of the genre or literary study unit on announced published dates within
the syllabus. Journal entries will be graded on the completeness of answers, the amount of detailed
evidence provided, and the students’ overall effort. In addition, journals will be inspected daily in
class to ensure that students are meeting course expectations and keeping up-to-date on class
material covered.
Quotation Quizzes:
In a similar format to Language A Year One, quotation quizzes will be given on all of the
assigned readings, except for poetry, will be given in class on the dates indicated within the course
syllabus. Each student will select five out of seven quotations from a prepared list and answer the
journalist’s questions with respect to each quote: What? Where? When? Who? Why?
Quote quiz answers will be written in class as separate submissions and will not be
recorded in the students’ journals. Students will only be given a class period to complete their quote
quizzes (unless testing modifications denote something different). Students may note that this
format requires more specific information than was compulsory in Year One; the increased rigor of
the assignments is in preparation for the IB exams which will take place in May of 2010.
Analytical/Interpretive Papers & In-Class Essay Exams:
In addition to journal assignments and quotation quizzes for each unit of study, each
student will be asked EITHER to develop a paper topic (to be chosen by the student from a list
provided by the instructor) into a three to five page analytical/interpretive essay OR to write an inclass essay exam answer. These assignments will be due at the end of the genre unit or literature
study as announced in the syllabus. The long-term paper assignments will be word-processed as a
separate submission and will not be recorded in the student’s journal. In addition, essay
submission will include a separate title page, parenthetical citation, and a works cited page. The inclass essay exam will also be written as a separate submission and not as a journal entry.
Students are discouraged from seeking insights from published criticism to develop their
paper topics. Rather, they are encouraged to rely on their own insight and perceptions, as well as
on daily class discussion and their notes.
Students should select their paper topics immediately upon receiving the topic list. They
should target class discussion by asking relevant questions about their topics and seeking class
feedback. Thus, students should be working on their papers daily—both in class and out. In
this way, papers will be works in progress done over time with reflection and thoughtfulness
and with proper editing, revision and proofreading. Students should avoid “eleventh hour”
assignments completed in a rush the night before the due date. There will be four out-of-class
paper assignments during the yearlong course. This does not include IBO assessments.
All in-class essay exams will be modeled after the Paper I and Paper II IBO assessments that
will be given throughout the year. There will be four in-class essay examinations administered
throughout the yearlong course.
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IB Language A Higher Level (Parts II & III)
2009-2010
Grading Weight—All marking period and interim grades will be comprised of various assignments
and events within the marking period. Each assessment element will be categorized as
participation, journals, essays & tests, or homework. Quite often, homework will be assigned and
assessed as a completion grade. All assignment values are at the discretion of the instructor. Grades
receive the following weights:
 Essays & Tests: 40%
 Journals: 25%
 Homework: 15%
 Presentations: 10%
 Class Participation: 10%
International Baccalaureate HL Assignments:
Students will submit four written assessments as well as deliver an oral commentary in
fulfillment of their requirements for IB HL Language A. The four written papers and exams are
administered internally and externally assessed. They are as follows:
1. World Literature Comparative Essay (final draft completed in HL Year One)—10%
of IB grade
2. World Literature Choice Essay (final draft completed in HL Year One)—10% of IB
grade
3. Commentary & Presentation Exam—30% of IB grade
4. Essay Exam—50% of IB grade
The individual oral commentary will be delivered during the January exam week. It will be
internally assessed by the instructor as well as externally moderated by the International
Baccalaureate organization.
Resources [not in MLA format]:
Grammar, Style, Citation, Etc Exercises:
Bedford St. Martin’s Publishing Company. A Writer’s Reference: Sixth Edition. Bedford/ St. Martin’s
Publishing. 2008. http://bcs.bedfordstmartins.com/writersref6e/Player/Pages/Main.aspx
MLA Style Guide:
Goodwin, Sue and Shelia Welding. MLA Style: Paper and Online. Kingwood College Library. 2006.
http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/MLA-1a.pdf
MLA Formatting and Style Guide. The Owl at Purdue: Purdue University. 2007.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/557/01/
Grammar & Mechanics:
Grammar Slammer! English Plus. 2007. http://englishplus.com/grammar/
Online English Grammar. Edufind.com. 2006.
http://www.edufind.com/english/grammar/TOC.CFM
Semester I Schedule
Week
1
Topic

Course Introduction: Policies, Expectations, Standards,
Supplements
Biography: Ernest
KGRadford 5
IB Language A Higher Level (Parts II & III)
2009-2010
Sept. 9-11
2
Sept. 14-18
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3
Sept. 21-25
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4
Sept. 28- Oct.
2
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5
Oct. 5-9
6
Oct. 12-16
7
Oct. 19-23
8
Oct. 26-30
9
Nov. 2-6
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Assessments, Syllabus, Journal Notebooks, Texts
Introduction to Fiction: Literary Elements necessary for analysis
Biography: Ernest Hemingway: In Our Time (read prose—due
Sept. 15 th)
Literary Elements
Literary Style Analysis (writing technique)
Hemingway style paper due—October 2nd
Quotation Quiz (9/15)
Discussion: “On the Quai at Smyrna”, “Indian Camp” ,“The Doctor
and the Doctor’s Wife”, “The End of Something”, “Three Day
Blow”
Hamlet set-up (play due October 2nd )
Discussion: “ The Battler”, “A Very Short Story”, “Soldier’s
Home”, “The Revolutionist”, “Mr. & Mrs. Elliot”, “Cat in the Rain”
Discussion : “Out of Season”, “Cross Country Snow”, “My Old
Man”, “Big Two-Hearted River” parts I & II
Writing assignment: Paper 2 (IB exam /style analysis) due
Monday October 5
Hamlet Quotation Quiz
Writing the College Essay
Start class discussion (Oct. 7) the play in general
Writing the Refutation Essay
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Hemingway
Wrestling with Life
Notes: Iceberg theory,
Hem. Style
Motif: cycles, arenas,
relationships, etc.
Literary Criticism:
Burkianism—what is
and isn’t
Individual
Commentaries—
practice w/ discussion
questions
Supplemental
handouts
Notes: Aristotelian
tragedy/ the theater
College Essay Writing
Tips & Tricks
Notes on Style
Framing an Issue
Pro/Con Arguments: The “T” Chart
Evaluating Arguments
Taking a Position
Writing a Thesis
Organizing: Concessions/Refutations
Drafting: Transitions
Editing, Revising, Proofreading,
Polishing
Select an issue from Hamlet Refutation topic list
The nature of tragedy: Aristotelian model, etc.
Drama Study: Act I & Act II
Daily writing assignments (journal questions)
Work on refutation essay
Film: Zeffirelli’s Hamlet
Drama Study: Act II & Act III
Daily writing assignments (journal questions)
Work on refutation essay
View: Zeffirelli’s Hamlet
 Drama Study: Act IV & V
 Daily writing assignments (journal questions)
 Work on refutation essay
 Film: Zeffirelli’s Hamlet
 Hamlet refutation essay due (Nov. 9)
Refutation Essay—CPP school district requirement for all seniors
 Introduction to Poetry:
1. How to Read a Poem
2. Scansion: Rhythm and Rhyme
3. Terms and Definitions: Devices
4. Introductory poems: John Donne (review/discussion)
 Introduction: “A Valediction Forbidding Mourning”
Detailed Drama
Analysis Guide
Literary Criticism
Poetry How To: Metric
Feet, Rhythm, Meter,
etc.
KGRadford 6
IB Language A Higher Level (Parts II & III)
2009-2010
10
Nov. 9-13
11
Nov. 16-20
12
Nov. 23 & 24
13
Nov. 30- Dec.
4
14
Dec. 7-11
15
Dec. 14-18
16
Dec. 21-23
17
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Poetry Study: John Donne
Metaphysical poetry
17th century poetry/mind-frame (PowerPoint)
“The Flea” and “Sun Rising”
“The Canonization” and “The Broken Heart”
“Song: Go and Catch a Falling Star” and “Holy Sonnet XIV: Batter
My Heart…”
 Donne Essay Exam: Paper I Commentary modeled after May IB
external Assessment
 Poetry Study: William Wordsworth
 Innocence vs. Experience (William Blake’s “The Lamb” vs. “The
Tyger”
 Pantheism/ Mutability
 “Tintern Abbey” and “My Heart Leaps Up..”
 “Intimations on Immortality” and “The Solitary Reaper”
 “Lines Written in Early Spring” and “The World is too much with
us…”
 “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” and “ She Dwelt Among the
Untrodden Ways”
 Wordsworth Essay Exam: Paper I Commentary modeled after May
IB Assessment
Filler days… either leftover Wordsworth or introductory to the
Modernist Poets
Thanksgiving Break: November 25-27
 Poetry Study: T.S. Eliot: World War I
 Post-War Disillusionment
 Imagism
 “The Hollow Men”
 “The Love Song of J.Alfred Prufrock”
 “Preludes”
 “Rhapsody on a Windy Night”
 “Journey of the Magi”
 The Wasteland
Modernists Essay Exam: Paper I Commentary modeled after May IB
Assessment
 Quotation Quiz: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
 Topics covered:
1. Buildungsroman
2. What constitutes feminism & feminist literature
3. voice/style
4. time period
5. illness & the era
6. themes/motifs
7. relationships
 Introduction to The Bell Jar: Choose paper topics (papers due
January 8th
 Chapters 1-5
 Chapters 6-10
 Chapters 11-15
 Chapters 16-20
 Notebooks due for “inspection”/grading
Christmas Break: December 24- January 1
 Practice Oral Commentaries
Toolbox Pro
Blog/Google Groups
discussion
Notes on Style and
each era of poet’s
writing
Handouts: writing
techniques/ time
period, etc.
Sample
KGRadford 7
IB Language A Higher Level (Parts II & III)
2009-2010
Jan. 4-8
17
Jan. 11-15
18
Jan. 18-22
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Practice Oral Commentaries
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19
Jan. 25-29
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NYS Regents Week
Oral Commentaries: Individually scheduled 10-12 minute
commentaries (in the media center—refer to your schedule)
Quotation Quiz: Chopin’s The Awakening (Monday Jan. 25)
Topics for discussion throughout the novel study:
1. various stylistic elements
2. class & the Creole society
3. the roles of women @ the century’s turn (various
historical elements)
4. Edna & Leonce’s relationship
5. Madame Ratignolle vs. Madamoiselle Reisz
6. Robert (and all that he is/isn’t)
7. Edna as a symbol
8. Dr. Mandelet
9. the “cottage”
10. the role of mother/female character analysis
11. Alcee Arobin
Chapters 1-10
Essay: The Awakening due February 12
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Commentaries/
Handouts
Tips & Tricks
Semester II Schedule
Week
20
Feb. 1-5
21
Feb. 8-12
Topic
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Supplements
Novel Study: The Awakening
Chapters 11-20
Novel Study: The Awakening
Chapters 21-30
Mid-Winter Break: February 15-19
22
Feb. 22-26
23
March 1-5
24
March 15-19
25
March 22-26
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Quotation Quiz: Conrad’s Heart of Darkness (February 22)
Novel Study: Heart of Darkness, Conrad
Chapters 1 & 2
Film: Heart of Darkness with Tim Roth and John Malkovich
Writing: Journals for submission and grading
Paper on Heart Darkness due Fri. March 5
Heart of Darkness
Film
Style Notes
Novella
Features/Elements
Introduction to the Novel: Style and elements
Introduction to Morrison
Quote Quiz Beloved by Toni Morrison
Beloved—Toni Morrison
Novel Study: Section One
Writing: journal entries 1-4
the following topics for discussion throughout the novel unit
1. history
2. suppressed histories/taboo subjects
3. Margaret Garner (the case of)
4. narrative traces of consciousness
5. intimacy and relationships (narrator and reader)
Notes on Style
KGRadford 8
IB Language A Higher Level (Parts II & III)
2009-2010
26
March 29April 2
27
April 5-9
6. variant of the female Gothic (western)
7. vernacular
8. African-American cosmology
9. infelicitous space
10. rememory: oral tradition/the griot
11. gynocentric literature (accounts within literature)
 Beloved—Toni Morrison
 Novel Study: Section Two
 Writing: journal entries 5-10
 Essay assignment—narrative consciousness and the novel (due
April 9th)
4. Beloved—Toni Morrison
5. Novel Study: Section Three
6. Final & follow up
Film clips—visual
illustration
Spring Break: April 12-16
28
April 19-23
29
April 26-30
30
May 3-7
31
May 10-14
32
May 17-21
33-36
May 24-28
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A Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel Garcia Marquez quote
quiz April 1
Topics for discussion: magical realism, journalistic fiction,
narrative point of view
Chronicle chapters 1 , 2, & 3
Chronicle chapters 4 & 5
Chronicle essay topics—choose from list
Work on Chronicle essay topics: examination models
Examination Preparation: written commentaries
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May 5th IB examination Paper One
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May 12th IB examination Paper Two
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Non-Diploma Candidates: Senior Thesis Work
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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Database Research
MLA style and citation
Crafting the Research document
Argument Organization
Thesis Writing
Outlining/ Cards
7. Peer Editing
Diploma Candidates: Self-books
Magical Realism notes
and resources
Examination Schedule
Bussing Schedule
Senior Thesis Package