Gwinnett School of Mathematics,
Science, and Technology
COURSE TITLE .....American Literature and Composition/Junior Language Arts
TERM…………... 2015-2016
TEACHER .............Susan Kohanek
ROOM #
2.181
Email Address
susan_kohanek@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Teacher Support
(Help sessions, etc.)
By appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to provide the highly motivated student of English a chance to develop his interest in and
understanding of American literature, to strengthen his ability to communicate both orally and in writing, to
broaden his concept of the universality of literature, and to increase his confidence in literary interpretation.
Standards are high, and depth of study and analysis is expected. Students will develop analytical skills as readers
and writers working in the various genres of American literature. Independent reading, vocabulary development,
and research will be an integral part of the work in this course.
This is a writing-intensive, college preparatory course. Students’ commitment to this type of class should be
evident in their work ethic. Unless noted otherwise, students should bring their literature book, loose-leaf
notebook paper, pen, pencil, and other necessary materials to class each day. We will incorporate art and music
into our study of history and literature whenever relevant.
This course will include extensive reading and writing, discussion, and lecture. Students will analyze other
writers as a way to expand and enhance their own writing. Students will also learn and practice elements of
rhetoric and rhetorical analysis. In addition to regular class activities (writing and discussion), we will also
conduct Socratic circles and complete multi-genre projects and presentations. Research papers, various types of
essays, quizzes, and tests will be assigned throughout the course.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: (See also AKS objectives)
Students should be prepared for the spring administration of the Georgia End-of-Course-Milestone Exam in
American Literature. In addition, students should also be able to:
 Demonstrate knowledge of eighteenth-, nineteenth-, and early-twentieth-century foundational works of
American literature, including how two or more texts from the same period treat similar themes or topics
 Read extensively and master a wide range of works of fiction, non-fiction, and informational texts.
 Use technology to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products in response to
ongoing feedback, including new arguments or information
 Make strategic use of digital media in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and
evidence and to add interest
 Improve meta-cognitive thinking skills so as to respond to reading through thoughtful inquiry, articulate
discussion, better test performance, and incisive writing.
 Develop an enriched vocabulary that is reflected in both oral and written communication.
 Understand and use the following modes of discourse: compare/contrast, narration, process analysis,
definition, argumentation/persuasion, description, exposition, and cause and effect.
COURSE CURRICULUM CONTENT
The entire list of Academic Knowledge and Skills for each of the following curriculum strands in this course can be accessed through the
district web address at www.gwinnett.k12.ga.us
AKS STRANDS
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Reading: Literature
Reading: Informational Text
Writing
Speaking and Listening
Language
UNITS/TOPICS
Latin Roots Vocabulary
Native American Literature
Early American/Puritan Literature
American Rationalism
American Romanticism
American Realism/Regionalism/Naturalism
American Modernism
American Post-Modernism
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
Published Materials
Prentice Hall Literature: Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes:
The American Tradition
Frederick Douglass: The Narrative of the Life of Frederick
Douglass
Mark Twain: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
F Scott Fitzgerald: The Great Gatsby
John Steinbeck: Of Mice and Men
Lorraine Hansberry: A Raisin in the Sun
Arthur Miller: The Crucible
Instructional Supplies
1) Blue/black ink pens
2) Three-ring binder with loose-leaf notebook paper
3) College-level dictionary and thesaurus for home use
EVALUATION AND GRADING
Assignments
Classwork & Homework
Special Projects/Speeches and
Presentations / Research Papers/Essays
Unit Tests
Quizzes
Mid-Term
Final Exam (Objective and Performance)
End-of-Course-Milestone Exam
Grade Weights
Class Assessments
Summative Assessment
Comprehensive Final Exams/
Georgia Milestone
Mid-Term
35%
40%
20%
5%
A:
B:
C:
D:
F:
Grading Scale
90 and above
80 – 89
74 – 79
70 – 73
69 or below
OTHER INFORMATION
Expectations for Academic Success
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Read daily
Ask questions
Participate constructively as a team member
Proof read written assignments and edit meaningfully
Review multiple sources of information
Challenge yourself continuously to improve
Procure a copy of each of these novels for our study this
year if you would like. School copies will be provided.
The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass Frederick
Douglass
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain
The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald
Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck
A Raisin in the Sun Lorraine Hansberry
The Crucible Arthur Miller
MAKE-UP WORK:
 It is the students’ responsibility to find out about work, assignments, tests, or quizzes that they missed
during their absence. Please inquire before or after class or school. You may also email me at
susan.kohanek@gsmst.org or susan_kohanek@gwinnett.k12.ga.us.


All make-up work/tests/quizzes must be turned in or completed within five days of return to school.
Failure to complete work or assessments will result in a grade of zero.
Work for unexcused absences cannot be made up.
LATE WORK:
Essays and assignments are considered "on-time" at the beginning of class on the assigned day. An essay or
assignment turned in after class has begun or printed after school has started is considered to be late. Late
penalties (point deductions) will be applied to all unexcused late work. If students are present in school (even
if they miss this class), they still must turn in any work/assignment to me on the due date or else face the late
work deduction policy.
**If you have an excused absence on the day an essay or project is due, you MUST turn in the essay or project on
the day you return; the five-day rule does NOT apply to long-term assignments.
PLAGIARISM POLICY:
Cheating by students is inexcusable conduct at GSMST. Cheating includes plagiarism, which is the use of
another's words or interpretations without giving credit. Proper documentation style, using the guidelines of the
Modern Language Association's Style Guide (MLA), will be covered thoroughly in class; therefore, students will
know how to avoid this grave offense. Instances of plagiarism will be considered cheating and will be met with a
zero on the assignment and an administrative referral. Be assured that academic dishonesty will greatly
compromise chances of gaining admission to a competitive college or university. Also, all assignments should
be a reflection of the student's work, research, writing style, and capabilities. If students have any questions or
concerns about an issue of plagiarism, they should see the teacher PRIOR to the assignment's due date.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS:
Students will
 Respect themselves, the teacher, and other students at all times.
 Come to class every day prepared with appropriate books, materials, and homework.
 Be on time to class and be in their seats when the late bell rings. Class begins immediately following the
bell. No one may leave the classroom to retrieve forgotten materials.
 Take note of and record all due dates and assignments for the class.
 Abide by all policies and procedures in the student handbook.
 No food or drink in the classroom.
 Ask questions during class to enhance their learning.
 Schedule working conferences with me to refine their writing skills.
 Pay attention to their vocabulary and writing. The English language is one of the most expressive,
versatile, and widely used languages in the world. Students who learn to use it well will command the
respect of everyone they meet.
The teacher reserves the right to alter any of the above to accomplish the objectives of this course.
Your signature below indicates that you have read and discussed with a parent/guardian the information
contained in the American Literature and Composition/Junior Language Arts course syllabus. In addition, you
understand all class expectations and are aware of your responsibilities.
Please sign and return this page to the teacher. Please retain your copy of the course syllabus.
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