Social Justice & Literature

Mr. Richmond Room H304 Jim.richmond@concordiashanghai.org Syllabus and Expectations

Welcome to Our Knowledge Community!

Time is flying, and its almost time to go Lets talk about transitions and decision making. What are the ten most important decisions a person makes in the eighty-ish years of their life? Id guess that for you, probably six or seven of those decisions will be made in the next five years of your life. Are you ready for that? Of course! Social Justice & Lit is all about understanding our place and potential in a fallen world. We are torn up by the gaps between rich and poor, developed and undeveloped, educated and uneducated. Decisions need to be made. Thoughtful, empathetic, analytical people will play a role in defining the future of our world. Heroes will rise. Doctors. Lawyers. Moms and dads. Architects and scientists. This English class is our time to start becoming the thinkers we know we can be, so that we might, some day, become the heroes we know we need to be. Course Description and Objectives Welcome to Social Justice and Literature. In order to become a thoughtful, productive citizen in the 21st century, an individual must think critically, read widely with comprehension, and write from a perspective of strength, truth, and conviction. Within this English course, we will hone the composition skills needed to meet the challenges of formal academic writing. The purpose of this course is to study representative works of literature in relation to the historical and cultural forces which influenced them. This class is designed to promote academic excellence in English language arts through enriching experiences in literary analyses, vocabulary development, grammar usage and application, and written and oral communication. Extensive written critical analyses, including in-class and out-of-class essays, are a major component of this course. In addition, students will compose essays under time restraints in preparation for the PSAT, SAT, and AP timed writing tests. Writing is more than an important skill that is essential to success in college and in the work place. Language and communication are at the heart of the human experience. A primary goal of this course is for students to recognize the important relationship between strong writing, reading, and critical thinking. Another important goal is for students to develop accurate and perceptive reading, writing, and analytical skills through the close study of selected works of prose and poetryrepresenting different genres and various periods of literary history. These goals will be accomplished through extensive discussions as well as frequent informal (exploratory) written reflections and more extensive (probing) written responses to assigned readings. The literary works profiled in the course will serve as models for literary analyses as well as subjects for out-of-class essays and in-class timed writing assignments designed for a variety of purposesincluding interpretive, expository, analytical, and argumentative responses.

Classwork/Homework Quizzes Tests/Major Writing/Projects Final Exam Total

15% 15% 50% 20% 100%

Classwork/Homework (15%): English courses are discussion-based. Active class participation is vital. We should all be on time for every class meeting and prepared to ask questions and offer thoughtful interpretations on the assigned readings. Each student should bring the assigned text to class every day, as well as any working drafts of current papers. Students should be willing to offer constructive commentary to classmates and to receive it from them and the instructor. Homework is designed specifically to complement student effort and study. Homework is due and will be collected during the first five minutes of class. I reserve the right to deduct points for late submissions. Quizzes (15%): Quizzes are usually designed to ensure participation. Quizzes are often short, simple comprehension questions, vocabulary multiple choice, or recall of facts. They are designed such that anyone who is actively engaging in the class should be able to do well. Tests /Major Writing/Projects (50%): Primarily, these assessments focus on critical analysis. For each of the major out-of-class essays assigned, students are expected to write and revise multiple draftswhich will be edited and evaluated during class with the assistance of the instructor and fellow students, as well as after school during conference hours with the instructor. Out-of-class assignments are to be typed using conventional and legible formatting. Please double-space throughout the paper, as it leaves room for comments. Students will use a standard MLA heading and format on all submitted work. Please Note: Out-of-Class essays and projects are generally assigned three to four weeks before the final due date. They are due on the assigned date and must be delivered to me on this date even if the student is absent. Communicate openly to avoid confusion in this area. I reserve the right to deduct points for late submissions. Conferencing: At the core of this class is the idea of community. We learn best when we communicate openly with one another, in a spirit of honest inquiry. Conferencing is a vital part of that process. Generally, I am available afternoons from 3:30 to 5:00, except when facilitating club activities, or in meetings. I am very easy to contact through email at jim.richmond@concordiashanghai.org, through skype at james_a_richmond, and through google chat at james.allen.richmond@gmail.com. Our success as a learning community will be directly proportional to our attempts to meaningfully communicate. Conferencing, both before and after assignments is by far our most meaningful feedback process. Feel free to record these conferences on your mac, and share them with your parents. This is where real learning takes place.

Integrity: We are a knowledge community. We rely on each other to build meaningful understandings of our world. This community must have integrity if it is to function in a healthy manner. Adhere to academic procedures and test regulations. In your writing and presentations, identify intellectual property and recognize the importance of

maintaining academic integrity and honoring original ideas. Students may not use the same paper for two different courses without prior permission from the instructors. (Please Note: Students are required to submit all major essays to Turnitin.com for academic review.) Our classroom is a safe haven for all who enter. We will honor and respect the dignity of every individual in this class. Please strive to be respectful of othersthis includes their beliefs, opinions, ideas, as well as their belongings. Students are to arrive to class on time in proper dress code and be seated when the bell rings. Please be prepared for class, follow instructions, and participate in classroom activities according to directions. Literature text, vocabulary books, and assigned materials must be brought to class daily. In this classroom, computers will be used for academic purposes only, and students will adhere to all policies outlined in the schools technology agreement. Laptops are to remain down during class time, as directed by the teacher. Likewise, cell phones must be used in a way that is conducive to learning. Dont text during class. Respect the integrity of our learning space. Respect the integrity of our learning space. Respect the integrity of our learning space. Please, Respect the integrity of our learning space.

Parents and Students: Please sign and date this handout.

I have read this course outline, and will support and comply with these stated classroom policies.

Student Name: ___________________________________________________ Student Signature: _______________________________________________ Parent Signature: _________________________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________________________