2013-2014
11CP ENGLISH
MRS. BRIDGET DOKLAN / ROOM 582 / BDOKLAN@EASTPENNSD.ORG / BDOKLAN@GMAIL.COM
Course Description:
This course develops an investigation of
the philosophy, culture, and heritage of
the United States through a survey of six
major periods in American literature. In
support of this literary focus, you are
expected to develop composition skills
that stress the understanding and use of
unity and coherence in longer, more
comprehensive assignments, including a
research paper. In addition, emphasis is
placed on a separate text which will
develop your vocabulary. Further
enrichment of vocabulary is achieved
through the introduction of literary terms
that emerge in the readings. Finally, the
course provides activities that will allow
you to polish writing skills and oral
presentation methods to help you
become a better communicator.
Course Goals:
You will be exposed to and practice more
critical and analytical skills in both
written and oral analysis. In the written
and oral analyses, you will make the
connection between the literature of each
period and the social, historical, and
philosophical context in which it exists.
You will also develop your
communication skills through activities
in listening, speaking, reading, writing,
and critical thinking.
LITERATURE. Puritanism, Rationalism,
Romanticism, American Masters, Realism,
Modernism, Postmodernism
Texts & Materials:
Texts (textbooks must remain covered at all times):
 Literature Text: Wood, Laura, et al. Elements of Literature: Fifth Course.
Austin: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2005.
 Vocabulary Text: Reed, Daniel A. Vocabulary Power Plus for the New
SAT: Vocabulary, Reading, and Writing Exercises for High Scores.
Clayton: Prestwick House, 2004.
 Teacher-selected outside readings
Suggested Materials:
 1 large (1-2”) three-ring binder
 Dividers- Vocabulary, Grammar, Notes, Handouts, etc.
WRITING. One formal essay per marking
period, a research paper, other shorter
compositions, creative writing
VOCABULARY & GRAMMAR. Vocabulary
units 1-8 in first semester; 11-18 in second
semester. Grammar-- punctuation, usage,
parallelism, modifiers, pronoun reference, etc.
GRADING:
Tests: A major unit test may be
given after a literary unit is
studied. In most cases, major
tests will be announced at least
one week in advance. Tests
will typically count for about
75-100 points.
Quizzes: Quizzes on reading
assignments and vocabulary
will assess your preparedness
for class. Quizzes may or may
not be announced, and they
will generally count for 10-50
points.
Homework: Homework will
be assigned when necessary,
and it may include reading
assignments or other activities.
Preparation (i.e. completion of
all homework assignments) is
absolutely essential to be
successful in this class;
therefore, homework will be
collected and graded or spotchecked. Homework will
always be collected/ checked
at the beginning of class. Point
values for homework will vary
depending on the nature of the
assignment. Note: If spotchecked, homework will be
graded on a pass/fail basis; if
incomplete, you will receive a
grade of “0.” Late homework
is not accepted.
Projects/ Other Activities:
There will be several
individual and group projects
throughout the year. Point
values will depend on the
nature of the project.
Participation: It is expected
that you will actively
participate in class discussions
and activities. To succeed, be
an active member of our class,
complete classwork, and come
prepared daily..
Policies & Procedures:
Absences/Make-up Work:
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES--If you have an
unexcused absence, any work due on that day
or completed during class on that day will
receive a zero.
EXCUSED ABSENCES-- For excused
absences, any work due on the day you were
absent must be shown to me the first day you
return to school—it is YOUR responsibility to
come to me with the assignment that was due
on the day of your absence. If you fail to do so
on the first day you return to school, you will
not receive credit for the assignment, as I will
be unable to determine that it was completed
on time.
If you are absent, the work you miss on that
day is due the day AFTER you return to
school. Tests are scheduled far enough in
advance so that unless you have a long-term
absence, you should be ready to take the test
on the scheduled date upon your return to
school.
THE ABSENTEE FOLDER-- Your class
period’s absentee folder contains any
handouts you might have missed. Check the
absentee folder on your first day back from an
absence and take anything with your name
on it.
CALENDAR-- I expect that you will use the
provided calendar to stay organized and keep
up with your assignments despite any
absences from class.
Important!
Extra Help:
If you have a question
/concern or need
extra help, please let
me know right
away—I’m here to he
lp!
Cheating Policy: Cheat
ing in any form (i.e.
taking OR supplying an
swers, copying OR
supplying homework,
plagiarizing, etc.) OR
talking during any qu
iz, test, or graded
assignment will not be
tolerated. A zero will
be given for the work
and appropriate
action will be taken acc
ording to the
Discipline Code. In ad
dition, students will
NOT be given the oppo
rtunity to retake/
redo the work. Simply
stated, do you own
work.
6 SIMPLE
CLASSROOM
EXPECTATIONS
Be on time. Enter the room promptly
and be in your seat when the bell
rings. Follow any directions written
on the board.
Be prepared. Both textbooks are
required daily unless otherwise noted
—assume you’ll need them.
Be active. Participate in our
discussions and activities, and
contribute when in small groups.
Be respectful. Respect the comments,
questions, and opinions of others.
Be productive. Use your time wisely
and remain attentive.
Be proactive. Keep me informed of
questions, problems, and concerns so
I can best help you! 
For Parent(s)/Guardian(s):
Dear Parent(s)/ Guardian(s),
I hope you had a wonderful
summer!
Thank you for taking the time
to read through the
information contained in this
syllabus. As I’m sure you can
see, the eleventh grade college
preparatory curriculum is
challenging and will require
work outside of the classroom.
Given that part of my
responsibility is to prepare
your child for his or her final
year of high school and first
year of college or work
experience, I am committed to
maintaining high, consistent
standards of academic
performance and behavior.
STUDENT:
I have carefully read the
information provided in the
syllabus and fully understand my
responsibilities with regard to the
successful completion of this
course:
______________________________
I’m looking forward to
providing daily opportunities
for your child to be actively
engaged in the process of
becoming a more effective and
sophisticated reader, writer,
speaker, and thinker. It’s going
to be a great year!
Sincerely,
Bridget M. Doklan
I hope you’ll also take
English Teacher
advantage of Home Access
Emmaus High School
Center so that you can keep
bdoklan@eastpennsd.org
track of your child’s current
610-965-1650 ext. 21582
grades. When checking
grades for this course,
NOTE:
please note that I will
Selected scenes and/or the
input assessments as
full length of
the following films may
be shown
soon as they are graded.
throughout the year:
As I’m sure you
understand, some
--The Crucible (all versio
ns)
--T
he Fall of the House of Us
assignments take longer
her (Roger
Corman 1960)
than others to evaluate.
--Death of a Salesman (V
Also, please be sure to
olker
Schlondorff 1985)
check the detailed list of
--Dead Poet’s Society (Pe
ter Weir 1989)
assessments in addition
** By signing below,
to the overall score for a
you are giving
yo
ur permission for yo
better understanding of
ur child to view
these films.
your child’s current
performance.
PARENT/GUARDIAN:
I have read the information
provided and understand what is
required of my child in this
course. Also, I give my
permission for my child to view
appropriate clips from the films
listed above:
OTHER INFO.
Parent Email Address:
_____________________________
Do you check your child’s grades
online?
YES
NO
QUESTIONS/CONCERNS:
PRINTED NAME
______________________________
SIGNATURE
As a teacher, I know that your
support and involvement will
be an essential part of your
child’s success this year. For
that reason, I have provided a
copy of my contact information
for you to keep at home. If you
ever have a question or a
concern, please do not hesitate
to contact me. I will return
your call or respond to your
email as quickly as I can.
DATE
______________________________
SIGNATURE
DATE
______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________