COURSE OUTLINE: ENGLISH III YEAR: 2011-12

HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR: RYAN SHUPP PHONE NUMBER: 406.375.6060 EXT. 5019 EMAIL ADDRESS: shuppr@hsd3.org WEBSITE: www.hsd3english.org ROOM: 201

COURSE DESCRIPTION

English III is a year-long, comprehensive English course offered to students during their junior year. The course examines American literature and seeks to strengthen student-aptitude in the areas of reading, writing, listening, speaking and, above all, critical thinking. All students successfully completing English III will meet state and university standards for English at the 11th grade level.
READING

Students will analyze the canon of American literature in its entirety from the Native American and colonial traditions, to the movements of Transcendentalism and Realism during the nineteenth century, to the modern and postmodern eras. Through analysis of the selected works (consisting of poetry, short stories, novels, essays, paintings, photography, and film) students will be able to identify and explain the themes and philosophies informing the different literary traditions of Americas past and present.
NOVELS:

A River Runs through It, Norman Maclean Fools Crow, James Welch The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain The Catcher in the Rye, J.D. Salinger
*Additional selections (poetry, short stories, etc.) will be accessed via handouts or the class textbook.

WRITING

English III is a writing-intensive course which focuses on each of the rhetorical strategies, from the descriptive to the persuasive. With a heavy emphasis placed on analytical writing, students will develop the ability to recognize and make use of stylistic techniques (i.e. diction, syntax, imagery, tone, and selection of detail) in order to strengthen their academic and professional voice. Finally, the course will prepare students to begin working on the college application essay, as well as the written portions of the ACT and the SAT. Regular attendance will be vital, as much of the writing will occur in the Writers Workshop an in-class workshop, providing students the opportunity to receive one-on-one instruction and guidance as they develop their writing.
OVER

Please sign and return the bottom portion of this page, to acknowledge that you have read the course outline for English III. Print Student Name __________________________ Student Signature ___________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature _________________________

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is crucial to student success excessive absences are sure to produce an adverse effect on student grades. In the event of an absence, students have one day (for each day they are absent) to complete any work assigned when they are not in class. With respect to long-term assignments, students do NOT have an extra day to complete work assigned before their absence. Prior to returning to class, students should consult their student planner, the instructor-provided calendar, or the website calendar (www.hsd3english.org) for due dates.
HOMEWORK

Homework (including essays) must be turned in at the beginning of the period. Essays which are still on the computer in the lab will be considered late. Final scoring for an assignment will be reduced 10% (or one letter grade) for each day it is late. Students are responsible for making up any work assigned during an excused absence.
SUPPLIES

one 3-ring binder, containing (1) handouts/notes from class and (2) college-ruled paper pencil, pen (blue or black ink only) free-read material and current novel assigned for class reading
GRADING PROCEDURES

Tests, essays, classroom work, and participation are evenly weighted. Letter grades are based on the following percentages: A B C D F 89.5-100% 79.5- 89.4% 69.5-79.4% 59.5-69.4% 59.4 % and below

Student grades are calculated by dividing the total number of points they have earned by the total points possible for the class. Grades will be posted in the classroom at all times and are also updated weekly online, according to Student ID, on the PASS system (visit www.hsd3.org)
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS BE SAFE ~ BE RESPONSIBLE ~ BE RESPECTFUL

All rules regarding behavior, discipline, and academic dishonesty are detailed in the Student Handbook and will be enforced according to school and district policy; however, these rules all have to do with respecting others and their right to an education that is free of intimidation and distraction. So, lets look out for each other. Add the people in here to your wolf pack.