Syllabus: Advanced Placement Literature and Composition
E7PXP – Section 1 – Period 1
E7PXP – Section 2 – Period 7
Instructor:
Mr. C. Manalo, Teacher Director – Senior Academy
Herbert H. Lehman High School
Bronx, New York
E-mail: mistermanalo@yahoo.com
School Number: 718-904-4200 ext. 1331
Office Hours: Room 133
Periods 4 and 9
(any other time can be arranged by appointment)
Teaching Philosophy
Every student has the ability to succeed in school. It takes determinations, a great
work ethic and ambition on the part of the student and his/her teacher. My
personal philosophy is to challenge every student by providing engaging and
though-provoking instruction. I believe in a rigorous curriculum that facilitates
critical thinking. I am determined to make each student who leaves my classroom
closer to being prepared for college. I also believe that studying literature is a great
vehicle into understanding the human condition.
Course Overview
This course will expose students to great literary classics both contemporary and
pre-twentieth century. This course will focus on numerous themes, time periods
and genres in literature.
Students will be expected to write both academic and creative pieces. Students will
also be given challenging projects. Students will be expected to submit written
responses to readings at least twice a week. One of these responses will be onlinebased using discussion threads. Students will also respond to each other’s analysis
at least once a week as well. Students will also turn in written assignments online
through the class website. There will also be time for on demand timed writing to
prepare students for the demand of the AP exam as well as college.
Students are expected to fulfill readings as assigned and maintain contact with the
instructor and check the website for future assignments.
Class Website: http://www.schoolrack.com/manalo
Please follow the instructions provided to join a group and participate in discussion
threads, check course syllabus, calendar and assignments.
Calendar of Lessons: (tentative)
Week 1 – Class Introduction
Initial Assessment
Introduction to Online Discussion Threads/Class Website
Week 2 – The College Essay
Introduction to Ancient Greek Drama
Excerpt from “Theatrical Conventions of Greek Drama” (Bedford)
and “Tragedy and Comedy” (Perinne)
The Greek Theater
Weeks 3 and 4 – Oedipus Rex - Sophocles
Medea – Euripedes
Weeks 5 and 6 – The Elements of Fiction
Plot, Stucture and Setting – “A Temporary Matter” – Jhumpra Lahiri
Characterization – “The Yellow Wallpaper” – Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Theme – “Love in L.A.” – Dagoberto Gilb
Symbolism – “Battle Royal” – Ralph Ellison
Writing an AP Essay – Question 1 (Prose)
Close Reading Analysis
Week 7, 8 and 9– Poetry
Billy Collins – “How to Read a Poem”
Word Choice, Word Order and Tone
Diction – Poetic Diction, Formal vs. Informal, Denotations and Connotations
“Those Winter Sundays” – Robert Hayden
“she being Brand” – e.e. Cummings
“Sex Without Love” – Sharon Olds
“Common Ground” – Judith Ortiz Cofer
Imagery
“In a Station of the Metro” – Ezra Pound
“Dulce et Decorum Est” – Wilfred Owen
“Facing It” – Yusef Komunyakaa
Figurative Language
Margaret Atwood – “you fit into me”
Adrienne Rich – “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers”
“Living in Sin”
Jim Stevens
“Schizophrenia”
Emily Dickinson “Because I Could Not Stop For Death”
“I heard a fly buzz – when I died”
John Donne – “The Flea”
Allusion
Dorothy Parker – “Penelope”
Edna St. Vincent Mallay – “An Ancient Gesture”
Margaret Atwood – “Siren Song”
Patricia Smith – “Medusa”
Writing an AP Essay – Question 2 (Poetry)
Formal Poetry
Sonnet
William Shakespeare – “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”
“My mistress’ eyes are nothing like the sun”
Vilanelle
Dylan Thomas – “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”
Wendy Cope – “Lonely Hearts”
Weeks 9, 10, 11 and 12 – King Lear - William Shakespeare
Review of Tragedy
Shakespeare’s England
Layers of Analysis
Week 12 – Midterm Review and Examination
Weeks 12, 13 , 14, 15 and 16 - The Victorians
Introduction to Victorian Literature
Great Expectations – Charles Dickens
Wuthering Heights – Charlotte Bronte
Week 16
Writing an AP Essay – Question 3 (Free Response)
Week 17
The Research Paper – Writing a Literary Analysis Paper for College
Week 18, 19 and 20
William Shakespeare – Hamlet
Continued work on Research Paper
Drafts, Peer Review, (in-class),
SCHEDULED Teacher Review – Final Paper
Final Examination and Review
Week 21
Week 22
Week 23
Review of Question 1 Essay (Prose)
Close Reading
Multiple Choice Strategies
Question 1 Essay Writing
Timed Writing
Review of Poetry Analysis
Multiple Choice Strategies
Question 2 Essay Writing
Timed Writing
Question 3 Essay Review – Free Response
Question Analysis
Question 3 Essay Writing
Timed Writing
Week 24 and 25
American Literature
Go Tell It on a Mountain – James Baldwin
Biblical Allusion and Language
Religion: Hypocrisy or Saving Grace?
African-American Plight in the US
Week 26
TEST PREP
Week 27 – AP Examination
Week 28-End of School Year
Creative Writing
Book Clubs