English III: American Literature
Mrs. Patton
Syllabus & Class Guidelines
EMAIL: Shanna.Patton@scott.kyschools.us
PHONE: 863-4131, ext. 1295
CLASS WEB PAGE:
► SCHS homepage
► “Teacher Websites”
► "Patton, Shanna”
► “English III: American Literature”
Course Description: English III focuses on an in-depth survey of American Literature and continued writing development. Students
will focus on on-demand speech writing, persuasive writing, and literary analysis. Additionally, each English III student will refine
and apply research and documentation skills through a variety of research assignments. Each grading period students will read at
least one book or play from a suggested reading list. Assessments include public speaking, performance events, responsive and
reflective writing, open response and multiple choice questions, and class, group and independent projects. PREREQ: ENG. II
Unit 1:
The New World
Unit 2:
A New Nation
Unit 3:
Romanticism, Part 1
(Romantics & Dark
Romantics)
Unit 4:
Romanticism, Part 2
(Transcendentalism)
Unit 5:
A Troubled Young
Nation
Unit 6:
Modernism and
Postmodernism
Essential Question(s)
- How does a new environment
change human perspective?
Students will:
- Focus primarily on nonfiction prose, including sermons and poetry in the
seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
- Examine the works of Puritan literature.
- Explore whether conflicts were inevitable and whether language and religion served
as barriers and as bridges.
- Look for emerging themes in American literature such as the new Eden and the
American dream.
- Examine art works from the period and their treatment of similar themes.
Essential Question(s)
- How do Revolutionary writers
influence the social, political,
and philosophical ideas of
their time?
- How did American principles
develop over time?
- What is the connection
between the events and
literature of the period?
Students will:
- Build on themes explored in unit one by tracing the movement toward revolution
and the colonists’ desire to establish a new government, noting the differences in
opinions and how the arguments were made.
- Compare the radical purpose and tone of Patrick Henry’s “Speech to the Virginia
Convention” to the “Declaration of Independence.”
- Analyze the expression of conflict between the colonists and the British
government.
- Begin to recognize the emerging theme in American literature of American
exceptionalism.
- Examine art works from the period and their treatment of similar themes.
Essential Question(s)
- How does the American
concept of individualism
develop through historical
events and literature?
Students will:
- Explore this period as America’s first prolific one of literature, by examining works
by Cooper, Irving, Whitman, etc.
- Wrestle with how the romantics perceive individualism and how this focus on
individualism relates to other themes in American literature.
Essential Question (s)
- How much of one’s values
must one compromise to live
in society?
Students will:
- Use the ideas presented in Romanticism as a springboard into Transcendental
thought. Transcendentalism is explored as an aspect of American romanticism and
students should compare the “romantics” with the “transcendentalists.”
- Read a Transcendentalist novel (The Glass Castle or Into the Wild)
- Write a character analysis essay.
Essential Question (s)
- How does adversity shape
American values and ideals?
Students will:
- Explore the expanding idea of the American individual and the related idea of
pursuit of liberty in various forms. Selections will include a variety of compelling
themes relating to the Civil War, reconstruction, the immigrant experience and
the struggle for African-Americans and women to find equality.
- Understand the literary concept of regionalism.
- Consider the use of literature as a vehicle of social commentary and an advocate
for social change.
Essential Question (s)
- How did modernization result
in isolation and
disillusionment in early
American twentieth century?
- Has America reached the
moral and ethical potential its
founding fathers envisioned?
Students will:
- Trace the emergence of American modernism and track the literature of
“disillusionment” that followed the war, including the moral and ethical dilemmas
that individuals faced in a country undergoing rapid changes.
- See family, racial, and national conflicts in the literature of the time period.
- Compare the current struggles to those of the founding fathers, looking for
similarities, as well as differences.
- Explore modern poets and poetry through a multi-media, research-based
presentation.
Classroom Expectations
 Be on time with all required materials.
 Tardy Policy
o Be in your seat when the bell rings, or you will be counted tardy.
Students arriving late will not be admitted without a tardy slip. Be
advised that according to school policy, an accumulation of 3 tardies
from any class will result in a Saturday Detention.
 Make-Up Work
o It is your responsibility to check the Make-up Work Binder to see what
you missed. Ask Mrs. Patton only if you do not understand what is
written in the Make-up Work Binder.
o Obtain all make-up work the day you return from an absence and
complete and turn it in pursuant to school policy. (Refer to your Student
Handbook if you have any questions).
 Late Work: All work is expected to be turned in on time.
o Work turned in 1 day late will be penalized 25%.
o Work turned in 2 days late will be 50%.
o Work turned in 3 or more days late will not be accepted and you will
receive a 0%.
 Test Policy
o Absence on Test Day: You have five (5) days from the day you return to schedule and make up the missed test.
Pursuant to school policy, if after the 5 days have passed and you did not make up the test or make other
arrangements with me, you will receive a 0%.
o Absence Before Test Day (Excused or Unexcused):
 If new material was presented while you were out, you have five (5) days from the absence to reschedule
and make up the test. This is your responsibility.
 If no new material was presented while you were out (ie. you missed only a review day), you must take the
exam on the original scheduled date. No exceptions.
 Cheating/Plagiarism
o Not allowed and will result in a grade of 0%.
 Extra Credit
o Opportunities given to the entire class; individual extra credit opportunities will NOT be provided.
 Bathroom
o You are expected to use the bathroom before school, between classes, or during lunch. If there is an emergency and
you must use the bathroom during class time, ask me for permission to leave and, if granted, take the hall pass with
you. Excessive trips to the bathroom will be dealt with on an individual basis.
 Cell Phones, Ipods, Hats, Etc.
o Items will be confiscated if there is a violation of school policy.
 Miscellaneous
o Please do NOT sign up to see the counselor, take a music lesson, etc. during the hour in which you have English. Our
class time is extremely precious, and you will have more appropriate opportunities during the day in which to
complete your out-of-class business.
Grading Scale
Required Materials




3-ring binder
Straight-edged, loose-leaf paper
Pencil and/or pen (blue or black)
School-issued textbook, workbook(s),
& novel(s)
92-100
84-91
76-83
68-75
0-67
A
B
C
D
F