Course Title: Freshman English
Instructor: Andrew Joe Dotson B.A. (M.Ed in progress)
Graduate Student of University of Arizona
College of Education
Texts (Tentative):
Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare
Selected Poems (Songs of Experience, Songs of Innocence) of
William Blake
Selected Poems of Lord Alfred Tennyson
A Cup of Tea by Katherine Mansfield
Araby by James Joyce
Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson
The End of Something by Ernest Hemingway
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce
The Blue Hotel by Stephen Crane
The Wife of His Youth by Charles W. Chestnutt
The Destination by Wang Anyi
Clarissa by Isabelle Allende
Selected World Poetry
Selected Poetry of Sylvia Plath
The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin
There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
Course Description: The course during this semester is designed to develop
the student's proficiency of the English language by examining literature
through multicultural viewpoints. Students will be presented with short
stories, poetry, and novels from American, British, and World literature,
respectively. Additionally, a unit on science-fiction will be covered towards the
end of the semester to ready the students for material they will encounter
their sophomore year. Students will be able to read, analyze, and question
literary themes in the global perspective. Students will also develop their
writing skills and vocabulary in relation to the literature presented.
Philosophy: I believe that we are all individual learners. Through examining
literature, we can better understand the world around us, and in turn,
ourselves. How many times have you attended a class and forgot everything
you learned only a few weeks after the class ended? I hope for my students
to remember what they have learned, and walk away from the class with an
impression that learning extends far beyond the classroom. I intend for my
students to question and develop a personal philosophy attainable through
the understanding of linguistics, writing, and literature. Not only do I wish for
my students to develop a better understanding of the English language, I
wish for my students to develop their own ideas, to think for themselves, and
to pursue answers for their own questions.
Goals:
1. To identify and understand conventions, literary and rhetorical devices
of the English language.
2. To acquire a global awareness through literature.
3. To question, develop, and evaluate standpoints on global literature.
4. To receive an all-around understanding of the English language through
the diversity of global literature.
5. To develop writing skills in relation to global literature.
6. To develop vocabulary in relation to global literature.
7. To apply the understanding of literary themes, their meaning, and how
they translate to the personal life of the student.
8. To develop effective reading and writing strategies from the analysis of
literature.
Grading Policy:
Grading is based on the traditional point-value system.
A=90-100%
B=80-89%
C=70-79%
D=60-69%
F=59% or below
Extra credit will only be awarded on the basis that your grade is borderline,
that is for example, if you have an 88% or a 79%.
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend class every day.
Additionally, students will be awarded attendance points each day they are
present in class. If students should have to miss school for health or personal
reasons, please inform the school, as well as myself via email, of their
absence. Also, because we will cover a lot of material this semester, please be
sure to ask me what work you have missed and need to make up. My primary
goal is not only for you to learn, but to walk away from this class with an
understanding relevant to the real-world. I am always accessible before class
for any questions and/or concerns you might have about your progress.
Class Expectations: My main expectation for this class is RESPECT. Students
will always be expected to treat their fellow students with understanding,
kindness, and tolerance. This is very simple. Treat others kindly and fairly.
Students will also be expected to turn in their work on time. Failure to do so
will result in a deduction of one letter grade per day late without an excused
absence. Most importantly, students will be expected to try their best, to
believe in themselves, their skills, and abilities, and learn in an engaging,
challenging, and nurturing environment.
Use of electronics, including cell phones, mp3 players, hand held
devices, etc. will not be permitted during class. In the case that you need
to reference text via the internet from your phone during in-class reading, I
will make an exception.
Contact Information: I am available anytime before class, and during
planning period. I am also available by appointment. You can reach me by
email.
I encourage parents to contact me anytime to discuss questions, concerns,
and/or student progress. Hablo Español , Je parle français, Ek praat Afrikaans.