Piscataway Township High School
Course Syllabus
Course Title: English IV Honors
Textbooks:
Short Fiction, an Introduction
Poetry, an Introduction
The Short Prose Reader, World Literature
Variety of novels and nonfiction
Required and Supplemental Texts:
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Oedipus Rex and Antigone by Sophocles
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
A Street Car Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
The Stranger by Albert Camus
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Teachers/Email:
Mrs. Jessica Loux
jloux@pway.org
Teacher-student-parent conferences are scheduled by appointment only.
Course Description: English IV Honors is five-credit course with a college-like approach. Students will
read, analyze, respond to and discuss various pieces of literature in a thematic approach. Students will be
expected to be independent learners and thinkers as the course will run similarly to a freshman college English
course.
Materials Needed
3 Ring Binder
Pens/Pencils/Hi-Liters
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Course Schedule:
Scope and Sequence
Approximate Time
Frame
Marking Period 1 –
Sept. to Nov.
Semester 1
Origins and Identity
Marking Period 2 –
Nov. to Jan.
Semester 1
Family and Community
Marking Period 3 –
Jan. to Mar.
Semester 2
Identity
Marking Period 4 –
April to June
Journey
Senior Independent
Study
Topics/Skills/Areas of the World
Topic/Titles:
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Oedipus Rex
Antigone
“The Wolf and the Mastiff,” “The Widow of Ephesus,” “The Prodigal Son,” “Young
Goodman Brown,” “Rape Fantasies,” “My Last Duchess,” “A Poison Tree,” “The Man He
Killed,” “To me he seems like a god”
Skills:
Standard English conventions, author’s style, close reading, interpretation of text, definition
of tragedy, author’s purpose, analysis of poetic devices and techniques, critical reading,
critical thinking, literary analysis, college essay writing, narrative and expository writing,
application of MLA formatting, Socratic Seminars
Topic/titles:
Hamlet
Death of a Salesman
The Kite Runner
A Doll’s House
Ray Carver short stories, “A Good Man is Hard To Find,” “I Stand here ironing,”
“Everyday Use”
Independent reading- Community unit project
Skills:
Standard English conventions, descriptive writing, persuasive writing, critical thinking,
literary analysis, application of MLA formatting, Socratic Seminars
Topics/Titles:
Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Stranger
“The Astronomer’s Wife,” “Shiloh,” “The Horse’s Dealer’s Daughter,” “Eleven,” “Barbie,”
“Battle Royal,” “Girl,” “The Yellow Wallpaper”
Who am I? unit project
Skills:
Standard English conventions, literary devices, theme, textuality, intertextuality,
comparison and contrast, imitation of author’s style, critical reading, critical thinking,
literary analysis, narrative and expository writing, application of MLA formatting, Socratic
Seminars, Literature Circles
Topics/Titles:
Ceremony
Stiff
The Curious Incident of a Dog in the Nighttime
A Lesson Before Dying
Other approved selections.
Independent novels/research project
Skills:
Standard English conventions, research skills, MLA format, independent thesis, oral
delivery skills, personal reflection, Literature Circles
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Mrs. Loux’s “Pet-Peeves” & Procedures
1. RESPECT: Respect yourself, your classmates, your teachers, and the classroom at all times.
2. A DUE DATE IS A DUE DATE: I do not accept late homework assignments under any
circumstances. 25 points will be deducted each day for a project or essay that is late. All work
must be submitted directly to me. I do not accept work emailed and I will not print out work the
day an assignment is due.
3. CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM: Its simple—don’t do it! There is a zero tolerance policy for
cheating. If you cheat, you will receive a zero without having the opportunity to finish/make up
the assignment.
4. LATENESS TO CLASS: You are required to be in your seat working when the bell rings. Six
lates to class will result in failure for the marking period.
5. BE PREPARED: You must bring your English binder, a pen or pencil, and homework to class
everyday! Being prepared also means participating in class.
6. ALL SCHOOL RULES APPLY
Grading Policy
Writing Assignments (revised)
Projects/Tests
Classwork/Quizzes
Homework
40%
30%
20%
10%
Absence from Class
If you miss work due to absence, you have the number of days you were absent to make up that work. It is
your responsibility to keep track of missed work and to schedule a make up time (if necessary) in a timely
fashion. Failure to do so will result in a zero for missing assignments. Keep in mind major assignments
are due on the assigned dates even if you are not in school that day.
Class Website
I have created a website that will enable you to download the homework, class notes, Powerpoint slides,
and handouts given in class. Go to http://mrsloux.wordpress.com and click on “English IV Honors” on
the top of the page. I have provided you with helpful web resources that may be useful throughout the
school year. Monthly calendars will appear on the website, as well as, homework reminders. Lastly you
will find a link to a Blog on the website. From time to time you will be required to comment on one of
my blog posts or create a post on your own for your classmates and peers.
Please use and take advantage of the resources on my class website! If there is anything additional you
would like me to add or change, please feel free to let me know, as I am always looking for ways to
improve it for your needs. You can also access our class site by going to
http://www.piscatawayschools.org/phs/site/default.asp and clicking on “staff websites”. Search for
“Jessica Loux” and click on the appropriate link.
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Dropbox
One of my goals this year is to model our class like a typical college course. Most professors require their
students to submit papers via an online database. For the purposes of our English class, we will be using
Dropbox to submit ALL formal written assignments.
How do you get Dropbox? All you need is an email address and you can register FOR FREE! This will
work on ANY device including a desktop, notebook, tablet, or mobile phone. After you install Dropbox
on your computer, laptop, or mobile device, you can then begin to add documents, videos, and photos to
your account. The exciting thing about Dropbox is that it is an online folder and will appear on ALL of
your linked devices; you can even access it from the internet via any computer.
How do you share a folder? Once you have created an account, add a new folder titling it with your first
and last name (Ex: Jessica Loux). Once you have created this folder you must then SHARE the folder
with me. Click on the chained link icon that reads “Share Link”. When a screen pops up to enter an email,
type in my school email address jloux@pway.org and hit “send”. This folder will immediately be sent to
my Dropbox account. Each time you submit an essay to your folder, it will also appear in my Dropbox
and voila you have turned in your paper.
Plagiarism or Intellectual Theft
Plagiarism is a serious offense and will not be tolerated in any form. Any student who is caught
plagiarizing will receive a zero on the assignment without having the opportunity to make it up and will
be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Unless otherwise stated, homework is not a group activity. If
your homework is identical to another student's, all parties will receive a zero.
You are all smart and are fully capable of doing your own work and coming up with your own
ideas!
Extra Credit
From time to time, I will offer extra credit opportunities. However, these assignments will be open to the
entire class. No student will be offered individual extra credit!
Other Details
Please note that this syllabus is subject to change over the course of the year. Cell phones must not be
visible and text messaging is strictly prohibited! Do not hesitate to ask questions or share your
personal experiences. I want to make this class as comfortable as possible.
One final thought—English IV is a requirement for YOU in order to graduate high school. I expect you
to come to class, participate, and complete your work everyday until June 19th. It is my job to prepare you
for college in the fall. Don’t let “senioritus” get the best of your educational experience at Piscataway
High School. Remember, colleges can pull your transcripts at any time, even after you have been
accepted.I am looking forward to having a positive and exciting year in English IV!
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STUDENT CONTRACT
I, ____________________________________________, have read the course syllabus and
understand what is required of me in English 1V Honors, for the 2013-2014 school year. I am aware that
the completetion of this course is necessary for my graduation in June and that I will be expected to
perform at a well above average level in reading and writing to meet more rigorous academic classroom
requirements. I am also aware of both the grading policy, as well as, the late policy. I understand that no
assignments will be accepted late, cell phones and text messaging are strictly prohibited, and all school
rules apply. I am familiar with Piscataway’s zero tolerance policy for cheating/plagiarism and the
consequences if I do cheat. I fully understand all of the classroom procedures and know that extra help is
available to me both before and after school by appointment. I promise to utilize the class website as a
resource, as well as, create a Dropbox to submit my required writing assignments to Mrs. Loux. I
understand that if I break any of these rules or procedures, appropriate action will be enforced including:
teacher detention, phone calls to parents, referrals, suspension, or failure for the marking period.
___________________________________________
___________________
(Student Signature)
(Date)
___________________________________________
___________________
(Parent/Guardian Signature)
(Date)
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