| Syllabus for A.P. Language & Composition Reynoldsburg High School, 2003-2004 Instructor's Name: Todd Alexander Prerequisite: English 10 Enriched, approved application, or an A/B average with Instructor Recommendation Sections: 237-01, 237-02 Credits toward graduation: 1 Home phone number: (614) 986-0733 E-Mail address: TAlexa@insight.rr.com High School Office Phone: (614) 866-6397 (they can connect you to my extension) CATALOG DESCRIPTION "AP Language & Composition" engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of periods, disciplines, and rhetorical contexts and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer's purposes, audience expectations, and subjects as well as the way generic conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing. As in the college course equivalent, AP Language & Composition enables students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers. Students enrolled in this course are expected to take the Advanced Placement exam in May. Students will be required to purchase paperbacks which will range in cost up to $35. ABOUT THE TEACHER Todd Alexander graduated from Grandview Heights High School in 1983, and the University of Indianapolis in 1987. From 1987 to 1997, Todd had a very successful career as a marketing director for two FM radio stations in Indianapolis. In 1998, he taught American History and Economics at Springfield High School in Toledo while beginning work on his Master of Arts degree in English at the University of Toledo. In 2000, he graduated with a 3.9 g.p.a. from the University of Toledo, and began teaching there and at Owens Community College. He completed his licensure to teach high school through a Master's program at the University of Toledo while teaching college. After returning home in 2002 to Columbus where both his brothers and their families live, Todd is happy to be in his second year teaching English at Reynoldsburg High School. CURRENT TEXTBOOKS Provided by Reynoldsburg High School: The Norton Reader, 10th edition. Peterson, Brereton, Hartman, eds. Copyright 2000. Elements of Literature, 5th course: Literature of the United States. Holt, Rinehart, 2003. Provided by You (or your parents): There will be additional novels and a handbook which students will need to purchase. Costs will be approximately $35 for all of these. These books should be kept by the student at the end of the year for future use. In fact, the novels have been pre-ordered and are in stock now at Barnes & Noble on route 256 in Pickerington (BOO!). Use the name and ISBN number when requesting the texts. The name, author, approximate price and ISBN numbers are: Title: Author: Price: ISBN#: The Scarlet Letter Nathaniel Hawthorne $ 3.95 0451526082 Huckleberry Finn Mark Twain $ 2.95 0812504224 Write for College Sebranek, Kemper, et.al. $20.33 0669444022 One other American literature classic to be determined later by class vote EVALUATION Student work will be evaluated according to the grade scale used by the College Board to evaluate essays for the Advanced Placement examinations and a five point holistic scoring guide attached. Written work will be the focus of the course, with oral presentations, homework, and class participation combining for less than 25% of the total grade. Many of the written assignments will be done in class under stressed written test conditions. The percentages of the grade may vary from 6-week period to 6-week period of the class, but the instructor's goals by the end of the course are below: In-class written essays 65% Journals 15% Class participation 10% Homework/Oral presentations 10% ******************************************** For a total of 100% ********************************************* INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS Class time will consist of discussion, workshop techniques, and lectures. The instructor may act as a discussion leader using various teaching strategies such as problem-solving discussion, role playing, small group discussion, debate, individual or group presentations, peer evaluation and editing. Multiple multimedia resources will be viewed, heard, and used in class. In-class writing is an integral part of the course, and certain class periods or parts of class periods will be set aside to allow time for responses to be written in class. Ultimately, students learn from the instructor, from one another, and from their experiences in class. Attendance, therefore, is necessary for class comprehension. GENERAL POLICIES Attendance is important to your progress, so come on time and be prepared to discuss the assigned reading material. More than 24 absences during the school year will result in automatic failure, as outlined by the Reynoldsburg Board of Education. If you are ill or a family emergency prevents you from attending a class, it is your responsibility to notify the school PRIOR to the missed class and make arrangements to obtain any material or information missed. Assignments are due on the day specified. At your instructor's discretion, late work may or may not be accepted due to extenuating circumstances, and/or may be subject to a lowered grade. Participation in class discussions is vital. The variety of comments and questions from all students will make the course fun and productive. Helping to stimulate each other's ideas is always conducive to a positive working environment. Ultimately, we teach each other. PLAGIARISM Plagiarism -- presenting the ideas or words of another writer as your own -- can happen intentionally or unintentionally. Either way, it is a problem students will want to avoid by familiarizing themselves with the standards and conduct common in the English language. Prior to the first paper, those standards will be reviewed, and students will be expected to document any/all sources appropriately. If a student has trouble determining whether or not a source needs to be cited in their writing, check with your instructor. Plagiarism can lead to serious consequences, including the failure of the assignment. At the college level, failure of the entire course is required for acts of plagiarism. Since this is the equivalent of a college-level course, plagiarism will be dealt with severely. DISABILITIES If you have a disability or acquire one, you may be entitled to receive individualized services and/or accommodations intended to assure you an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from this class. To receive more information regarding disabilities, please contact your teacher the first week of school or as soon as possible. DISCIPLINE PLAN Each student is expected to conduct themselves according to the guidelines presented in the Student/Parent Handbook for Reynoldsburg High School. In addition to those guidelines and disciplinary actions, students are expected to act responsibly in class. Failure to act responsibly or to perform according to civil standards will result in: " First offense, a verbal warning from the teacher. " Second and third offenses, a detention after school and the parent will be contacted. " Fourth offense, Wednesday school, and the parent will be contacted to discuss the student's ability to continue in an Advanced Placement course. " More than four offenses, and it will be necessary for your teacher to meet with you, your administrator and parent in a conference to discuss serious penalties or removal from the Advanced Placement course. Of course, any offense which is dangerous to a student, teacher, or other person, or which is extremely disruptive to the class will result in the student being immediately removed from the classroom and sent to the administrator's office. |