KAMEHAMEHA SECONDARY SCHOOL
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT
COURSE SUMMARY FOR LITERATURE OF THE PACIFIC
FOR: Shari Chan
SCHOOL YEAR 2013-2014
OVERVIEW
Literature of the Pacific is a writing and reading intensive senior elective course offered by the
English Department. Students are assigned a variety of chants, songs, legends, stories, journals,
poems, essays and films. Students will analyze, discuss, compare and interpret a variety of
reading assignments. Writings studied will include those from most of the islands of the Pacific.
We will also read the novel Pouliuli by Albert Wendt. You will be required to purchase Pouliuli
at the bookstore or borrow from the library. Media analysis will also be required; a variety of
films will be shown, discussed, and analyzed. Students will expand their vocabulary, learn to
refine writing and thinking skills, as well as develop a deeper understanding of literature.
COURSE GOALS
Students will:
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study the geography of the Pacific Ocean, learn general knowledge about Pacific
Islanders and the various cultural areas of the Pacific.
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through required texts, research in the Midkiff Learning Center, films, videos, and
various legends, stories, poems, plays, and essays, become familiar with a powerful and
exciting indigenous literary heritage.
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through written analysis develop control of the writing process as a way to articulate
deeper understanding of reading and research
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utilize the research process to produce multi media projects to demonstrate understanding
and synthesis of concepts
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demonstrate understanding and command of the conventions of standard English
grammar and usage when writing or presenting
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support inferences-especially the them) from reading with textual evidence
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write a literary analysis essay that demonstrates command of conventions, organization,
diction and syntax
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write a research paper that demonstrates command of a supported thesis, integration and
citation of information from a variety of sources
Integration of Technology
Kamehameha Schools provides access to many technological tools to enhance the teaching and
learning process such as laptops, online resources, Weebly, blogs, etc. We support the
integration of technology as an critical component in preparing students to thrive in our global
society. As appropriate to each course, teachers will provide further classroom expectations and
guidelines as to the extent technology (e.g. laptops, websites, online quiz sites, etc) will be
utilized for research, instruction, assessment, and communication purposes.
COURSE MATERIALS
Pouliuli by Albert Wendt will be required during the second quarter for first semester classes and
the fourth quarter for the second semester classes.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
1.
Students will learn to prepare for their assignments by reading selected works carefully;
they will discuss these works, keep journals, write creatively, analytically, and
expressively.
2.
Students will be expected to organize their time, work independently and collectively;
they will learn from lectures, class presentations, and various media. Students will be
quizzed and occasionally tested. They will be given an end-of-the-quarter mid-semester
test and a final semester exam.
3.
Students are expected to see the instructor for make-up work, contact fellow classmates
to review for any missed lectures/discussions. Email me at shchan@ksbe.edu.
4.
Students will type (double space, 12 point font, 1 inch margins) all major composition
assignments.
5.
Students are expected to focus their minds solely on the material at hand.
6.
Students are at liberty to express themselves freely at all times, but they must do so with
respect for all.
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GRADING PROCEDURES
Components of grades:
Quarter grades will be cumulative. Students will be graded on classwork, homework,
journals, quizzes, tests, compositions, and group and individual presentations and
projects.. Each quarter's grade will count for 45% of the semester grade; the final exam
will count as 10%.
If you want to find out your current grade:
Please check KS Connect, talk to me, or email. My email is shchan @ksbe.edu
Office Hours and Location
My office is in Smith 002. I am free periods 3,4, 5 and 6. I am also here after school.
My extension is 28917.
Late Work Policy for Writing Assignments: Major Papers and Projects.
If any major Writing Assignment (essay and research paper and/or project) is not turned
in on the assigned due date, the following Late Work Policy will be put into effect.
1. For the first five days late, regardless of block days and weekends, there will be a
reduction of 10% per day of the possible points available for the assignment, i.e. a 100
point assignment would lose 10 points per day it is late for 5 days. For example: paper
due on Monday turned in on Wednesday earns an 82% -- the official grade will be a 62%.
2. After 5 days, it is will be worth 50% of the grade earned for the following 9 days (or the
end of the quarter- whichever comes first). So you have 2 weeks (or until the end of the
quarter), from the date due to turn in your paper/project.
3. After 2 weeks (or the end of the quarter, whichever comes first), the papers is no longer
eligible to be turned in.
4. All work should be turned in during the class period to be considered on time.
5. Notes from parents or teachers do not circumvent the late work policy. It is the student’s
responsibility to get work in on time-- not a parent, computer or teacher’s responsibility.
6. The last day of the quarter is the cut off day for all missing assignments. NO
EXCEPTIONS.
Study help:
Please make an appointment in advance or drop by during my scheduled study help periods 1, 2,
3,and 4 or after school. My office is located on the bottom floor of Smith-Smith 002.
Absences:
If you are absent from class, you must take the initiative to make up your missed assignments.
You can email me and or check the class website to stay abreast of the assignments in class.
Plagiarizing
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A student caught plagiarizing will receive a zero for the assignment and be referred to the Vice
Principal.
Consequences for plagiarizing includes:
 Parent and counselor notification,
 Conduct probation.
Plagiarism includes: Copying homework, class work and essays; mosaic or paraphrasing; using
ideas from other students/adults/sources and simply not citing your sources.
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