Southwestern Central High School

Course Outline

COURSE NAME:                                                      CREDIT HOURS: 

Advanced 11 English:                                                                      1 High School

                   College Composition I (1510)                                     3 College

                   College Composition II (1530)                                    3 College

                   American Literature                                                     

TEXT:  Successful College Writing                           AUTHOR:  Kathleen McWhorter                          

EDITION:  4^TH                                                           PUBLISHER:  Bedford/St. Martins

TEXT:  Current Issues and Enduring Questions:     EDITORS:  Barnet et al

 A Guide to Critical Thinking and Argument, with Readings

EDITION:  8^TH                                                           PUBLISHER:  Bedford/St. Martins

TEXT:  The Language of Literature                          AUTHOR:  Arthur Applebee et al

EDITION:  American Literature                                 PUBLISHER:  McDougal Littell, Inc.

TEXT:  Warriner’s Handbook of Grammar,              AUTHOR:  ---

Usage, Mechanics & Sentences                                

EDITION:  (5^th Course)                                             PUBLISHER:  Holt et al

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:  

SUPPLEMENTAL READINGS: 

PREREQUISITES: 

·        10^th Grade Advanced English

·        Placement score: Accuplacer Writeplacer tested prior to March 2009 7-9, tested during and after March 2009 4-6; Accuplacer reading 70+.

·        Students in grade 10 English may qualify to move into Advanced 11 English by achieving each of the following criteria:

1.      Receive a positive recommendation from current English grade level teacher via checklist and signature.

2.      A grade of 92% or above for each quarter of the most recent English class.

3.      A grade of 92% or higher on the English Final Exam for the most recent English class.

*** All students entering Advanced English must complete summer reading assignments.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This course is intended to bring forth much thought, exploration and analysis of writing about a myriad of controversial political and social issues existing in today’s world; subsequently, extensive verbal and written response will be generated both in and out of the classroom.  Particular emphasis will be placed on the art of persuasion.

In addition, students will learn about American Literature through novels and poetry ranging from classics about Puritan society to best-sellers about life in contemporary America.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

• Read and analyze a variety of non-fiction pieces written in the various rhetorical modes
• Write precise, clear, substantial, and logical essays in different rhetorical modes
• Write cohesive, unified, and well-developed essays with voice and purpose
• Develop critical thinking and writing skills required in higher education, employment, and life
• Understand and use the writing process, as well as writing style
• Conduct research to comprehend, analyze, synthesize and evaluate sources to incorporate into one final, extensive written argument - the research paper
• Explore American literature through activities that generate in-depth reading, comprehending, dramatizing, critically analyzing and evaluating of texts.
• Develop proper grammar skills
• Other intellectually adventurous and intriguing activities

TOPICS TO BE STUDIED:  

• Rhetorical Modes of Writing
• The Art of Persuasion
• Research
• American Literature
• Grammar, Mechanics, Usage, Sentences
• Regents and AP Exam Tasks

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:

Methods will consist of a wide variety of teacher-centered and learner-centered modes of instruction that range from independent work and lectures to group projects and cooperative structures.

WORK REQUIRED BY THE STUDENT:

Students will create and maintain a writing portfolio that consists of at least one of each of the following items:

1. Narrative Writing 2-3 pages
2. Illustrative Writing of 2-3 pages
3. Process Analysis Writing 2-3 pages
4. Persuasive Writing of 3-5 pages
5. Argumentative Researched Writing 8-10 pages
6. Literary Analysis 1-2 pages
7. Compare/Contrast Writing 1-2 pages

In addition to the above writing portfolio, students will be required to complete a variety of grammar and literature related activities.

EVALUATION OF STUDENT PROGRESS:

Students will be evaluated on their ability to define, describe, illustrate, explain, integrate, and measure key elements of the course material.  Students will also be evaluated on their ability to generalize new and prior knowledge into new learning situations.

The student’s final grade is determined by averaging scores on in-class exams, take-home exams, comprehensive assignments or projects, and class participation. Take-home exams and graded homework assignments provide students with feedback on their progress as a topic is being studied.  In-class exams provide a focused evaluation of understanding and proficiency in each topic studied.  Comprehensive assignments and/or projects provide higher-level understanding of the topics being studied.  The final exam also evaluates the student’s comprehensive knowledge and skills learned from the coursework.

·        Research Paper                                                300 Points

·        Exams                                                                100 Points Each

·        Essays                                                                100 Points Each

·        Projects                                                              50-100 Points Each

·        Presentations                                                    50-100 Points Each

·        Quizzes                                                               40-60 Points Each

·        Homework                                                          5-10 Points Each

·        Class Work & Participation                             5-10 Points Each         

GRADE CALCULATION:

Grade is calculated by dividing the total points you earned by the total possible points of the course.