English III: World Literature 1155
Mrs. Stefanie Whitney
Room 2-129
Semester I
stwhitney@rochester.k12.mn.us
Office hours: before school, 4th hour,
5th hour (by appointment), 8th hour, after school
Overview: World Literature examines the idea of story from around the globe. Through archetypes and elements of literature, students will
be given the opportunity to see the vast differences and similarities between cultures and places. It is the charge of the reader to read
analytically, think critically, write intentionally, and communicate effectively & respectfully about observations made.
Class culture: Every place we exist has a culture standard, a way in which all members of the group have decided to act. This classroom is
no different. Here are our class values: (With your partner, determine 2-3 “must-have” values in a classroom so everyone feels included
and learning is accomplished. Write these “must-haves” on the note card with your syllabus questions.)
List TBD:
Learner Goals: Students will be asked to set specific goals with the following areas:
Read analytically (purposefully, taking notes, and formulating ideas and connections)
Think critically (consider and seek understanding about the other perspectives, meanings, and ideas presented before formulating your
own argument)
Write intentionally (know what you are writing about, how you want to write it, and why it is being written)
Communicate effectively and respectfully (be mindful about how you address others in the class, maintain adherence to the culture
values)
Course of Study Semester I:
This is a schedule of the curriculum for our time together this semester; titles may change or additional titles may be added.
Literature Quarter I
The Unlikely HeroLiterature: The Odyssey-Homer; Oedipus-Sophocles, Excerpts from
Dante’s Inferno
Supplementary Texts: The Hero Within; Storytelling & Gilgamesh
Poetry: “The Journey”-Mary Oliver; “Ithaka” by Constantine Cavafy
Visual: TED Talks, Shrek—archetypes & critical lens study
Writing & Assessment Quarter I
Personal Portrait
TPCASTT
Oedipus Socratic Seminar
Oedipus critical perspectives essay
A Hero Within—SOAPSTONE reading analysis
I’m From Poem
Literature Quarter 2
Encountering & Overcoming HardshipsLiterature: Hamlet-Shakespeare
Poetry: Sonnets
Supplemental nonfiction texts: TBD
Independent reading—text of personal choice. TBD
Writing & Assessment Quarter 2
Timed, In-class essays
Hamlet character analysis
Hamlet-character development/fever chart
TPCASTT
Hamlet creative writing assignment
Assessment
This course is built on standards-based assessments. What this means for students is that I will assess skills based on the Minnesota State
Standards and Rochester Public School District World Literature Course Description and Requirements. Grading is determined by both
formative and summative assessments:
-Formative assessments/assignments are on-going assessments, reviews, and observations in the classroom. I use formative assessments
to improve my teaching methods and ensure, through student feedback, that everyone understands what is going on from day to day.
Through formative assessments, I can quickly re-teach concepts that students do not understand. Formative assessments also allow
students to monitor their own progress through quick quizzes and skill-based tasks. These types of assessments are infrequently graded,
and, if there is a grade assigned, it is a completion grade that can always be made up until the final two weeks of the semester.
-Summative assessments are typically tests, writing assignments, or projects completed at the end of each unit of study. The goal of
summative assessments is to determine student skill mastery for each unit. Summative assessments do provide feedback to the teacher
and student about areas of improvement and these assessments are graded. There will be opportunities for students to improve upon most
summative assessments.
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Tests, (some) quizzes, written compositions, individual and group projects, teacher and self-assessment
Final semester exam.
Standard Total Point Grading Scale: A = 100-90%
B = 89-80%
C = 79-70%
D = 69-60%
85%
15%
F = 59% and below
Late Work Policy: The most important aspect of any assignment is that you complete it. Nothing is gained by an incomplete assignment.
Please see me if you are unable to meet a deadline; I cannot ensure that your grade will not be impacted, but I can ensure that you
understand the assignment and receive all assistance necessary to complete the assignment.
Attendance Guidelines and Accommodations
 Students who must miss class are required to communicate with me as soon possible upon their return. If knowledge of future
absence is known, student must communicate with me and complete as much work as possible prior to absence.
 My contact information is provided on this syllabus, and my expectation is that students use the provided information. I check
email regularly throughout the day and evening, thus this is the best form of communication to use if absent or in need of extra
assistance.
 Please utilize my website: whitneyworldlit.wordpress.com to seek out information missed during absences.
Required Materials
 One 2-inch 3-ring binder (approx.) with dividers to hold all handouts and assignments
o *I have extras—see me if you need a binder
o (DON’T throw anything away!)
 Notebook to serve as journal or record for class/reading notes
 Loose-leaf paper kept inside binder
 Pens, pencils, appropriate writing utensils
 The text(s) currently studied
 Tissues (please, if possible, bring a box of tissues to class—everyone uses them at some point throughout the year)
Essay Final Draft Requirements:
 All final drafts of major assignments will be typed/word-processed.
 Please complete all work by using proper sentence form, grammar, usage and mechanics.
 Drafts must be in correct MLA format; if an essay does not include correct MLA format, the essay will be returned and considered
late.
 All writing is the original work of the author. Upon the use of outside sources, ideas and words must be properly cited within the
document and on a works cited page. Plagiarism is not accepted and will result in an automatic zero for the assignment. Ongoing
plagiarism issues will result in course failure.
The Writing Center/Literacy Lab: On a daily basis, the writing center/literacy lab is open for student use. Teachers and upperclassmen are
available to assist students of all grades in essay writing and reading comprehension. Students are able to set up an appointment date in
advance or drop in at any time and someone may be available to assist with writing. The benefit of having a new set of eyes read through
an essay or provide you feedback on writing or reading material is invaluable.
Punctuality: The amount of time between classes (5 minute) provides enough time to get to class; prompt arrival is not only courteous, it is
expected. Failure to be in the classroom and prepared to begin at the time of the bell will result in a marking of tardy on Skyward.
Problems with frequent late arrival will result in parent communication and, potential, administrative referral.
Cell Phones: I am comfortable with the use of cell phones in my classroom as educational tools. There are moments when immediate
research or dictionary access is important for classwork. Otherwise, here is my cell phone policy:
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Turn off the ringer and vibrate option on your phone = both are very distracting
Do not answer your phone or text during class. If an emergency is imminent, notify me and we can work out an arrangement so
that you may communicate accordingly.
Place your phone in your bag and away from the top of your desk.
If I come to the conclusion that your cell phone is too much of a distraction, I will ask to hold your phone in my desk until the end
of the hour. This is not negotiable; at this point, you have overstepped and this is the decision. Please quietly hand me your phone
and we will move on.
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