Foundations of World Literature
Welcome to the Journey!
English 1 Honors
Ms. Engelmeyer
kengelmeyer@whrhs.org
Room 77
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” -Ursula
K. LeGuin
Course Description:
English 1 focuses on essential communication skills. Students are given ample opportunity
to expand their reading, writing, speaking, listening and visual skills. The ongoing dialogue
this year will focus on the theme of the Hero’s Journey and how it has evolved over time.
This course serves as a foundation for all other English courses, and students learn how to
write analytically, read closely, argue forcefully, listen and look carefully. At the Honors
level students are expected to further develop their critical thinking skills and enhance their
level of textual analysis at a more rigorous pace with a strong focus on close reading.
- Adapted from the WHRHS Program of Study
So, who will we encounter on our journey?
Heroes, lovers, dreamers, gods, monsters…ourselves!
Travel plans include: a visit to the ancient world of the Greeks, a sojourn with Shakespeare
and his star-crossed lovers, an adventure in war-torn Afghanistan, and several other
stopovers along the way. In the words of Pieter V. Admiraal, “I wish you a very good
journey to an unknown you’ve never seen!”
Supplies:
 A 3-ring binder
 Dividers: Notes, Vocabulary, Writing/Grammar
 Loose leaf paper
 Composition book
 Pens/pencils
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Post-it notes
Highlighters
USB flash drive
Classroom Expectations:
 RESPECT is the most important element within the classroom. Respect yourself,
your classmates, your teacher, and the work we complete. There will be a great deal
of opportunity for discussion in this class, and we can only learn from each other
and share ideas in an open and comfortable environment.
 Arrive PREPARED and ready to participate. Please bring all materials every day:
this includes our current work of literature, your binder, and a writing implement.
Trips to your locker are not permitted during class.
 Arrive on time: 3 lates and each after the third late = 1 ROM.
 You need to be in your seat and working by the time the bell rings.
 If you need to use the bathroom, please sign out and leave your cell phone on my
desk. Only one student is permitted in the bathroom at a time.
 Cell phones must be shut off and out of view during class. Students who violate this
policy will have their phones confiscated until the end of the school day.
 Only water is allowed in class; eating in class is prohibited.
 No hats or hoods in class.
Consequences – What happens if I break the rules?
1st – verbal warning; 2nd – a call home and teacher detention; 3rd – ROM
COURSE OF STUDY
Please note that the order in which the reading selections are presented is subject to change. Also,
due to time constraints, some of this material may be omitted.
Summer Reading: The Color of Water, James McBride (1996)
The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho (1988)
Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell (2008)
The Odyssey (selected chapters), Homer (c. 700 B.C.)
Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare (1595)
Julius Caesar (selected excerpts), William Shakespeare (1599)
The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini (2003)
Enrique’s Journey, Sonia Nazario (2006)
Research Paper
Maus I: My Father Bleeds History, Art Spiegelman (1986)
Maus II: And Here My Troubles Began, Art Spiegelman (1991)
To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee (1960)
Animal Farm, George Orwell (1945)
* Readings will be supplemented with pertinent short stories, poetry, non-fiction, and literary
criticism. Vocabulary and grammar are integrated into all of our units of study.
Course Grading:
Essays, Tests, and Major Projects
Quizzes
Homework
Journals and in class work
Participation
50%
20%
10%
10%
10%
Homework Policy:
Late work will NOT be accepted. Computer difficulty is NOT an excuse for not turning in
an assignment on time. If you are having a legitimate problem completing assignments on
time, please let me know before the assignment is due. Extra help is always available.
Major projects are due at the beginning of class; ten points will be deducted for each day
the assignment is late, including weekends.
REMEMBER- I do not give grades; you earn them.
Cheating and Plagiarism:
There is a zero tolerance policy in this class when it comes to cheating. This includes
copying assignments from another student, the use of cheat sheets, and copying
information directly from another source and claiming it as your original work. Any and all
students involved in these activities will face the consequences of a call home, a formal
conference with the department supervisor and counselor present, and a grade of “0” on
the assignment which cannot be made up.
Attendance:
If you are absent, it is your responsibility to see me for make-up work.
HW: If you are absent, please check the class calendar online. If an assignment is due
while you are absent, it must be handed in the day you return for credit or emailed to me:
kengelmeyer@whrhs.org.
Test/Quiz: If you miss a test/quiz due to absence please see me the day you return to
schedule a make-up date.
Writing/Project: If you are absent the day a paper/project is due you must be prepared to
turn in the paper/project the day you return to school.
I am available for extra help:
 After school
 Periods 1, 3, & 4
 By email