The Newman School
Boston, MA
Pre IB English 10
Ms. Potter Fall 2011
Course Description
Designed in part to be a co-requisite of Newman’s American History course, English 10 is a year-long survey of mostly American literature and nonfiction. Students develop their analytic writing and thinking skills through class discussion, oral presentations, and writing assignments, all of which familiarize them with the practice of basing their arguments and discussion in textual evidence. Written work emphasizes close reading, personal response, and comparison studies. Students who meet the challenges of this course will gain a solid foundation for International Baccalaureate English courses in their junior and senior years. A final Independent Essay in the fourth quarter allows students to study more closely approved works of their choice, gaining familiarity with the format of the Extended Essay assignment.
Required Materials
• A wire-bound notebook for this class exclusively;
• A folder for all handouts received in class;
• Pens/Pencils. At least two writing utensils in case your neighbor’s runs out of ink/lead;
• Looseleaf paper;
• Your own copy of the text we are reading:
MLA Handbook, Joseph Gibaldi.
Henry V (Folger Edition)
Selections from Benjamin Frankilin *
Civil Disobedience and Other Essays, Henry David Thoreau*
Self Reliance and Other Essays, Ralph Waldo Emerson*
Letter From Birmingham Jail. Martin Luther King *
--- Second Semester --- --- ---
MLA Handbook, Joseph Gibaldi.
Selected Poems, Walt Whitman *
Selected Poems, Emily Dickinson *
The Great Gatsby, F Scott Fitzgerald (Scribner)
A Streetcar Named Desire, Tennessee Williams (Signet)
Fences, August Wilson (Plume)
The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger (Back Bay Books)
*Asterisked texts appear in required Course Packet
• Access to a word processor and printer
**Coming to class without required materials may result in entirely avoidable point deductions.
Course Objectives. (adapted from IB Language A1, April 1999)
This course aims
1. To encourage a personal appreciation of literature and to develop an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism;
2. To develop students’ power of expression, both in oral and written communication;
3. To introduce students to a range of literary works of different genres, styles and contexts;
4. To introduce students to ways of approaching and studying literature, leading to an understanding and appreciation of the relationships between different works;
5. To enable students to engage in a close, detailed analysis of written texts, with special attention to the philosophical influences and ideas appearing in American literature;
6. To familiarize students with internet and non-internet research techniques for papers and projects;
7. To promote students’ mastery of MLA format;
8. To encourage an enjoyment of, and lifelong interest in, literature.
Grading
Approximately 75% of your grade comes from homework assignments, vocabulary quizzes, reading quizzes, longer essays, and general evidence of your preparedness, participation, and effort. Your contributions to group work and to class discussions and your general familiarity with the material will be formally and informally noted.
Approximately 25% of your grade comes from the Midterm and Final Exams
* No work in this class may be submitted by email. Emailed work will receive no credit.
*Points will be deducted for unexcused late work.
*Any major assignment (essay, presentation, etc) that is not handed in by its due date will automatically earn a 50% F.
Course Policies and Expectations
• In the event of a foreseeable absence, please notify the instructor prior to the class you will miss.
• In the event of any absence, it is your responsibility to get all notes and assignment from the class or classes you miss. Most assignments will be posted online, but it is expected that you call or text, email, or otherwise communicate with at least one, preferably two, trustworthy, responsible classmates to find out what was covered in class.
• All assigned work must be completed for a student to earn a passing grade in this class.
• Electronic dictionaries/translators MAY NOT BE USED during tests, quizzes, or in-class essays.
RIGHT NOW take a minute to get the contact information of two of your classmates.
Name ___________________________Phone___________________Email_________________
Name ___________________________Phone __________________Email__________________