English 9CP – The Hero’s Journey
2015-2016 - Syllabus/Course Guidelines
GOTTLIEB/MICHALISIANOS
COURSE DESCRIPTION
English 1 is designed to set the foundation for all other English/Language Arts
courses. During this course, students will develop their skills in close reading, annotation,
literary analysis, research, grammar, and vocabulary. Students are introduced to many
genres of literature including short stories, drama, poetry, epic poetry, novels, and
nonfiction, and students will study both classic and contemporary works.
In this course students will explore the theme of the Hero's/Heroine's journey or the
monomyth beginning with a study of Greek mythology and The Odyssey. Students will
also be introduced to Shakespeare - his life, theater and work. In addition, students will
learn the importance of time management and strong study skills.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Please come to class every day with the following materials:
 Pens (black or blue ink only)
 1 box of colored pencils
 8 1/2 x 11 Loose Leaf Notebook Paper
 1 Journal (hardcover marble notebook) to be checked frequently
 Appropriate texts
GRADES
Your grades will be based on the following:
Tests/Essays/Projects
40%
Quizzes
30%
Homework
10%
Classwork
20%
Total100%
CLASS RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
Respect each other, the teacher, the classroom and yourselves
Engage in positive class discussions and behavior
S it down immediately in your assigned seat and being the class work
Put away cell phones and Ipods/MP3 players
Eating and drinking should be done in the cafeteria
Come to class on time and prepared to learn
Talk to your friends after class -- unless it is part of an assignment
HOMEWORK



Homework will be assigned daily. It should be neatly and legibly written
on 8 ½ x 11 paper or typed using the same heading as work submitted in
class. Homework should be handed in at the box on the front desk.
Each homework assignment is worth a total of 5 or 10 points (see
homework rubric for more information). Every day a homework
assignment is late it loses a point.
See English Department webpage for homework policy
QUIZZES

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Quizzes will be based on class discussions, class lessons, vocabulary etc
D.I.R.T. (Did I Read This) -- these quizzes will be given randomly to check
to see if students are doing the required reading for homework. These
quizzes may take you by surprise, so READ!!
CLASSWORK
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Take assigned seat when class starts and be prepared to begin working.
Class Points: Every day you have the opportunity to earn 10 points for class
participation. By the end of each week you can earn a total of 40 points.
You may lose points for the following: Lateness, Unpreparedness,
Disrespectful/Disruptive behavior
Journals will be used every day and will be checked periodically as part
of your class-work grade.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE FOR WORLD LITERATURE (HEROES AND JOURNEYS)
Unit 1 – The Quest for a Voice

Summer Reading: The Color of Water

Review of Greek and Roman mythology (selections from Edith Hamilton’s
Mythology, Metamorphoses of Ovid, Biblical passages and The Epic of Gilgamesh

The Odyssey (Homer)

To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
Unit 2 – The Quest for Survival and Freedom

Enrique’s Journey (Sonia Nazario)

Maus I (Art Spiegelman)
Unit 3 – The Quest for Power

Animal Farm (George Orwell)
Unit 4 – The Quest for Love

Poetry Unit/ Shakespeare Sonnets

Romeo and Juliet (William Shakespeare)

MLA Research Paper
Supplemental Texts:

Norton Anthology of World Literature

Glencoe Literature – Fourth Course

Sadlier-Oxford Vocabulary Level E
Year Long Units
Grammar, Vocabulary, Writing