11th Grade Contemporary Composition and American Literature

English 2015-2016
Ms. Caroline Rhude
Room: B-2
Email: caroline.rhude@gmail.com
Website: www.crhude.com
COURSE OVERVIEW
American Literature is a comprehensive, one-year survey of American authors from pre-Colonial time to the present. This class
requires students to think deeply and richly about fiction and non-fiction. The major emphasis of 11th grade English is to study a wide
variety of classic and contemporary works of literature, where the quest for social and cultural identity is the thematic focus. By
connecting themes common to a variety of texts, spanning both genres and eras, and by analyzing the various techniques the writers
employ, students should gain a keen understanding of the elements of literature. In addition, students will be asked to read fiction and
nonfiction and take the first steps in academic research. The course will include close-readings, writing workshops and peer editing to
help students cultivate the thematic unity and clear voice essential to formal essays. Students will work to further develop the thinking,
reading, and writing skills introduced in the fall semester of 11th grade English.
REQUIRED TEXTS*
Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter or Arthur Millers The Crucible
Benjamin Franklins The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
Frederick Douglasss Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby
John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath
Zora Neale Hurstons Their Eyes Were Watching God
Tim OBriens Things They Carried
Amy Tans The Joy Luck Club
* Titles are subject to change at teachers discretion
ATTENDANCE
I. Attendance means each student is in their seats, working on the daily task, with all their materials before the bell rings. A
student not in their seats and not on task by the time the bell rings is equivalent to a tardy.
II. Two or more unexcused tardies and/or absences will result in a U in work habits.
III. Students who are chronically tardy or absent (unexcused) face additional repercussions.
ABSENCES
I.
Students are expected to make up all absent work. It is their responsibility to know what assignments they missed and
their responsibility to turn it in the next day.
II.
They will have as many days to turn in absent assignments according to the number of days they were absent. However,
long-term assignments whose due dates fall during an absence are due the day students return to class.
III.
Students with unexcused absences may not make up missed work or texts.
IV.
Extended absence, such as an illness or an emergency trip, must be notified to students teachers as soon as possible.
Alternative assignments will be given to cover the work missed during their absence.
GRADING POLICY
I. Classwork/ Homework Policy
o Assignments are due on time, before the bell rings in the proper IN shelf.
o NO LATE HOMEWORK WILL BE ACCEPTED
o Assignments turned in one day late will be given no more than half credit
o Header on all assignments unless otherwise noted
On the top left hand corner:
Last name, First name
Example: Smith, John
Name of teacher
Ms. Rhude
Class, Period
H English 11, Period 2
Date Month Year
13 September 2014
Assignment Title
Vocabulary Essay #10
o Many assignments will be given with a three day to three week due date. It is the students responsibility to work on
these assignments consistently to avoid an inordinate amount of time needed to be spent completing the assignment
the night before its due.

o
o
o
o

You can expect to see major projects such as a portfolio, research papers and presentations assigned through the
course of the year.
All papers and written assignments must be done in blue or black ink or typed according to MLA guidelines unless
specified otherwise.
NO MAJOR ESSAY CAN BE SUBMITTED WITHOUT A HAND WRITTEN DRAFT
The students academic grade will be determined as follows:
A = 90.0 %- 100%
B = 80.0% - 89.99%
C = 70.0 % - 79.99%
D = 60.00% - 69.99%
F = 0/ INCOMPLETE 59.99%

II. All assignments will be accessible through www.crhude.com

MATERIALS
I.
Required materials include: a college-ruled notebook for class notes and vocabulary, 3-ring binder with loose leaf
collegiate lined paper, blue or black pens, flash drive, Internet connection or access, and personal dictionary
II.
All assignments and current text brought to class each day
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
I.
II.
III.
IV.

All students are required to do their own work. This includes written and oral work.
If students are believed to plagiarize work, meaning without proper citation or credit, they will receive no credit for that
assignment, parent or guardian will be notified and the student will not receive a letter of recommendation from me.
Students who are found to have plagiarized or are caught cheating more than once will face additional consequences
All students are expected to be people of integrity and this requires honesty and good citizenship.

FILM/MEDIA
I.
All films and websites will be relevant to the curriculum and will be studied. A film rated R may be viewed with
parent approval. Parent signature on this letter indicates that parents/guardians are apprised of this possibility. If
parents/guardians do NOT wish their child to view a R film, please make a notation after you sign. An alternative
assignment will be provided for students not viewing the film
COURSE OUTLINE*
FALL
Captivity Narratives
Nathaniel Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter or Arthur
Millers The Crucible
Benjamin Franklins The Autobiography of Benjamin
Franklin
Revolutionary Speeches
Frederick Douglasss Narrative of the Life of
Frederick Douglass
Mark Twains The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Latin/Greek Roots

SPRING
American Short Stories
F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby
Zora Neale Hurstons Their Eyes Were Watching
God or John Steinbecks The Grapes of Wrath
Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lees Inherit the
Wind
Tim OBriens Things They Carried
Amy Tans The Joy Luck Club?
SAT vocabulary
Personal Statements

During each semester students will work toward completing one major project in addition to daily course work. These projects will
require students to research, collaborate, analyze, and present. The explanations and rubrics for each project will be posted on my
website. Students will also be required to read an assigned novel in addition to textbook readings during the year. Students may
decide to purchase the assigned novels or acquire a library copy.
*Titles subject to change at teachers discretion

Please sign and return this page to Ms. Rhude

I have read and understand the contents of the student parent packet for American Literature.
Class: ________________________

Period: ______________________

Students Name: _________________________________________________________

Student Signature:

_________________________________________________________

Students Email: _________________________________________________________

Parent/ Guardians Name: ___________________________________________________

Parent/ Guardians Signature:

___________________________________________________

Parent/ Guardians Email: _____________________________________________________

Preferred Phone Number: _______________________________________ (work/ cell/ home)

Additional Comments: Please note if your child has a IEP, 504 Plan, or any additional notes youd like to convey.