Honors American Studies
Ms. Miller — F Block
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Course Overview
One of the goals of this course is to work in conjunction with your AP History class, exploring common themes,
characters, and questions that run through American life and literature. The texts studied—from Nathaniel
Hawthorne’s early stories set in the 1640s to those published by Junot Diaz in 2015—often focus on the tensions
between self and society, as well as the dreams and realities, that have shaped the American experience. Yet each
generation reads and writes its own America, and these books should provide both a window for glimpsing the
past and a mirror where we can re-examine the present.
Course Texts:
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and
Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale
Tennessee Williams, A Streetcar Named Desire,
Arthur Miller, Death of a Salesman, and August Wilson’s Fences
Thoreau’s Walden and Emerson’s Essays
Poetry by Dickinson, Whitman, Eliot, Ginsberg
Ken Kesey, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar
Douglass’ Narrative, Twain’s Huckleberry Finn
and Toni Morrison’s Beloved
Contemporary authors such as Jhumpa Lahiri, Junot Diaz,
Sherman Alexie, and Lorrie Moore
F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby
Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God
Course Goals
Students come to this class with a strong understanding of literary elements, both how authors use them to shape
their work and how readers use them to interpret challenging pieces of literature. Students are also able to
demonstrate a solid mastery of argument, idea development, organization, language, and sentence fluency.
This course is designed to strengthen these skills and to help students become even more effective and independent
as writers, thinkers, and discussion leaders. Students will –
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Study literature from different genres and perspectives, placing them within the context of history, art,
philosophy, and the world of ideas;
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Work to sharpen analytical skills, to read critically, and to make connections between form and content;
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Use writing as a tool for thinking, creating focused and accurate responses to literature;
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Practice the skills needed for research and documentation;
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Imitate the authors we study, while developing a confident, personal voice and style;
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Struggle with complex questions that have no definitive answers, going beyond given assignments in search
of excellence
Course Expectations
Students will come to class, prepared to work each day, with these basic materials:
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A three-ring binder or a notebook and folder that will be used only for English class. This will help students keep notes, handouts,
class work, homework, and major projects neatly organized.
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The text we are studying, a pen or pencil, and plenty of paper. Students might consider buying their own copy of the books read
in class. Students who are able to highlight important passages and make marginal notes are often better prepared for both tests and
papers; however, using sticky notes in books provided by the school works just as well.
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Students will keep copies of major assignments in their English Writing Portfolios, and these folders will stay in the classroom
and be used throughout the year.
Grading
Term grades will be based on homework assignments, in-class writing, papers, projects, tests, quizzes, and class
participation.
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Homework should be completed on time and is designed to prepare students for specific class discussions. Late homework will
receive partial credit; however, students should complete all work in order to be prepared for quizzes, tests, and significant
writing assignments.
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The class participation grade is based on evidence of careful preparation, notes taken during class, a willingness to listen to and
respect classmates, and thoughtful contributions to class discussion. If you are a quiet person, resolve to speak at least once
during each class.
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Revisions are encouraged but are not always required. If you choose to rewrite a paper for a better grade, it must be turned in
within one week. You must also staple both draft and revision together, highlighting any significant changes you have made.
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Late papers lose 5 points for each additional day taken to turn in an assignment. Don’t leave assignments until the last
minute. Problems with computer or printer errors will not excuse a late paper. Although extensions might be granted in
emergency situations, these must be discussed in advance. Work can be sent to me by email, but hard copies of your work must
be turned in to me at the start of class for full credit.
Absences and Lateness
It is your responsibility to see me about missed work. Tests must be made up during the next available X block. Come
to class prepared and on time. Extreme lateness (25 minutes) will be recorded as an unexcused absence. Students who
are either late nine times during a term or have three unexcused absences during a term will receive an N for their term
grade. (See student handbook for more information on Newton North’s “N” policy.)
Cheating and Plagiarism
With the widespread use of the internet, it might be tempting to use on-line summaries in place of your own work.
Don’t do it! Trust your own effort, cite sources appropriately, and ask questions if you are confused.
In accordance with Newton North policy, plagiarized assignments will earn a zero; your parents, the department head,
and the house office will also be notified. Repeat offenders receive a letter that will follow them to college.
*Note: While some students might have been encouraged to use summaries and study aids (such as SparkNotes, etc.) in
past English classes, it is not acceptable to do so in my class. Students need to do all of the assigned readings and to
work to develop reading strategies so that they can understand class books on their own. I, especially, never want to see
printed summaries brought to class or used in Reading Journals or other such assignments.
Writing Conferences
I am available to meet with students during X blocks on Mondays and Thursdays and F blocks on Tuesdays. I have
posted a sign-up sheet on my school website for those who would like to schedule a writing conference in advance.
Consider coming to see me at any stage in your work: for help generating ideas, discussing outlines and rough drafts,
working towards revisions, or assessing what worked or didn’t work. Plan ahead; conference slots often fill up quickly.
You can find me either in my office at 321A or room 350.
Contacting Me
My email is Janice_Miller@newton.k12.ma.us. I like hearing from students, so please feel free to write with any
questions or concerns. To send work through Google Docs, use the address millerj@newton.k12.ma.us.
Consult my school website for additional information about schedules, assignments, and handouts. The address, linked
to the Newton North homepage through the faculty directory, is http://www2.newton.k12.ma.us/~Janice_Miller. You
can also reach that page by using the QR-code below.