035 British & World Literature
I.
Course Overview:
British & World Literature introduces students to a general survey of major British and World
authors and writings from the Anglo-Saxon Period through the 20th Century. The course will trace
the emergence and development of literature and identify the distinctive themes and literary forms of
the periods. The literature offers insight into understanding our society and ourselves. Students will
write regularly on a variety of topics using different approaches and study vocabulary. Students will
use the MLA procedure to complete a course-required term paper. Time will also be spent working
on a college or personal essay during the first term.
II.
Successful Learning:
To insure success in this class, the student must:
 Report to class on time and do not leave unnecessarily.
 Come prepared with the homework and all necessary materials, including books,
notebooks, and writing utensils.
 Keep all work returned to study, correct, or resubmit as needed. SAVE
EVERYTHING!
 Take thorough notes in class.
 Read all assignments carefully and on time.
 Actively participate in group and class discussions: ask questions, be a risk-taker.
 Give a dedicated effort – be concerned with learning before grading.
 Don’t be afraid to ask for help!!! Come for extra help when necessary.
 Be respectful and courteous to each other and the teacher.
III.
Student Learning Expectations:
By the completion of this course, successful students will be able to:
 Employ current technology to investigate, create and communicate
 Apply a variety of problem-solving strategies
 Write effectively
 Communicate orally
 Read critically
 Demonstrate self-control and respect for all individuals
 Pursue/participate in modes of artistic and creative expressions
 Acquire academic and social skills that foster lifelong learning and responsible
citizenship
IV.
Expected Outcomes:
At the completion of this course, students should be able to:
 Develop, argue and justify a thesis with specific references from both primary and
secondary sources in both oral and written form.
 Comprehend and interpret classical and modern prose and poetry.
 Connect his or her life to the themes learned in class.
 Employ the ability to read, discuss, and write intelligently.
 Be comfortable as both a reader and a writer.
 Use new vocabulary confidently.
 Understand & utilize the rules of English grammar.
 Understand & articulate how writers use language to communicate ideas, feelings,
and opinions.
 Communicate comfortably and confidently in both formal speeches and informal
discussions.
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035 British & World Literature
V.
Topics/Content:
Areas covered include:
 Readings: Literature will be selected from the following: Beowulf, Canterbury
Tales, Macbeth, assorted poems, Things Fall Apart, Balzac and the Little Chinese
Seamstress as well as possible reading selections from other parts of the world.
 Vocabulary: Terms will be studied in context during the first half of the year.
o Semester I (September-January): Beowulf, Canterbury Tales, Macbeth
o Semester II (February-May): Supplemental vocabulary as needed
 Writing:
o Hone essay development during first term.
o Focus on research paper during second term.
o Continue to enhance and expand writing skills during the second semester.
o Maintain analytical journals.
o Tackle creative assignments periodically.
VI.
Assessing Progress: A variety of testing and assessment procedures will take place during and
following each unit. Group work, papers written both in class and at home, quizzes, reading
comprehension exercises, and tests are incorporated in the study of literature. Vocabulary quizzes
and tests occur throughout the term and cumulative exams will transpire at the end of the first
semester. Grammar concepts are also evaluated throughout the year in papers and essays. One extra
credit project may be offered for the second term of each semester.
Term averages are calculated using the following percentages:
Major Projects , Writing Assignments & Tests
50%
Quizzes & Minor Projects
30%
Homework
20%
Class Participation & Collaboration is extremely important in Senior English. Class
Participation & Collaboration will be scored as a major grade at the end of each Interim
marking period and at the end of each quarter. In addition, Socratic Seminars and wholeclass discussions will occasionally be individually graded as a quiz or test grade.
VII.
Classroom Expectations: The rules in the student handbook apply.
Cheating/Plagiarism: No form of cheating or plagiarism will be tolerated. For any infraction of
cheating or plagiarism (including the first), the student will receive a zero on the assignment or
assessment, and parents/guardians will be notified, as per the student handbook. The definition of
plagiarism is “to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one's own.” Please note that
plagiarism includes all forms of stealing words or ideas – no copying from books, web sites,
SparkNotes, or each other.
Class Participation & Collaboration: Attendance is crucial for success, and students are expected to
arrive on time, fully prepared (homework done; writing implements, books and notebooks present)
for the day’s work. Students should be ready and willing to work both individually and in groups.
Students should be voicing their insight, asking questions and offering analysis on a daily basis.
Deviation from these will result in a lowered class participation grade.
Cutting class is not tolerated. The first cut class will result in a failing class participation grade for
that half of the term. For any subsequent infractions, the student will receive a failing class
participation grade for the remainder of the year.
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035 British & World Literature
All homework assignments, test/quiz dates and due dates of major writing assignments are listed on
the board for each class, as well as posted on the class website. Students are expected to take
responsibility for keeping up with their assignments when they are absent and completing makeup
work promptly.
VIII.
Homework:
Major Assignments: All essays, papers, projects and other student works will have assigned due
dates. The writing assignment is due at the beginning of class on that due date unless otherwise
specified. For all major assignments, 10% credit will be deducted from the final grade for each
class period that the assignment is late. After five days, no credit will be given on the assignment.
Students who are absent the day that an assignment is due are required to pass in that assignment at
the beginning of class on the first day that they return to school.
Daily Assignments: Homework is a fairly large part of the term average. Therefore, keeping up with
assignments is crucial to the student’s success. Homework is due at the beginning of class on the
assigned date. Students who are late by one day will lose 50% of credit for that assignment. After
two days, the student will lose all credit for the assignment. However, for any missed assignment that
is corrected in class, students will not be able to complete the assignment for any credit.
IX.
Make-up Policy: Students who are absent the day that an assignment is due are required to pass in
that assignment on the first day that they return to school. If an assignment is due electronically
the student is expected to submit it whether or not they are present in class.
Assignments: Students are responsible for completing any work that is assigned while they are
absent. All assignments will be listed on the board as well as the class website; students are
encouraged to check the website daily or contact a classmate to find out the assignment. It is the
responsibility of the absent student to collect these materials before or upon his or her return and
complete the assignments in a timely fashion (within one or two days). If a student is absent for a
longer period of time, the student should see me upon his or her return to discuss an appropriate
timeline for completion of assignments. Again, it is the responsibility of the absent student to
come to me to set up a schedule to make up missing work, or else he or she risks receiving zeros for
all missing assignments.
Quizzes or Tests: Students who are absent on the day of a test or quiz are required to complete the
test or quiz as soon as possible after their return to school. Students will need to find the time to take
the make-up. Tests and quizzes can be made up before school, after school or during a study period.
It is the student’s responsibility to schedule the make-up. For any tests and quizzes that are not
made up within one week of the student’s return to school, the student will receive a zero.
Students who have been absent for a longer period of time should see me to set up a schedule for
missed tests and quizzes. Again, it is the responsibility of the absent student to come to me to set up
a schedule to make up missing work, or else he or she risks receiving zeros for all missing
assignments.
If an extended trip is planned where a student will be absent from class, I will be happy to provide
assignments ahead of time. However, requests must be received at least a week prior to the absence.
Otherwise, I cannot guarantee that I will have all the assignments ready.
Students who are absent sometime between the date that an assignment is given and the due date of
that assignment do not receive extra time to complete the work.
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035 British & World Literature
X.
Course Materials: All students are required to have the following each day in class:
 Pen or pencil
 Student’s iPad
 The current literature we are working in (novel, anthology, play, etc.)
 Any homework due that day
XI.
Technology Use
Cell phone and iPod use are not allowed during class time unless specifically noted by the
teacher. Any unauthorized use will result in the device being confiscated for the remainder
of the period. If unauthorized use continues, the device will be surrendered at the beginning
of each class period. School iPads will be utilized during class time and certain assignments
will be completed or submitted electronically. However, inappropriate use of the iPad will
also result in confiscation during the period if the student has already been redirected once.
XII.
Additional Information: I encourage students to see me for extra help or to discuss any concerns
that they may have. I am available by appointment before and after school, or during a study period.
I look forward to a successful senior year,
Ms. Coppola
pcoppola@bpsk12.org
www.bhscoppola.wordpress.com
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