British Literature 2014-2015
Mrs. Goff, Room 215
Contact information: 635-4477(call or text); [email protected] (email)
Website: http://www.goff215.weebly.com
British Literature Textbook: http://www.glencoe.com/ose/showbook.php
Password = E787063bf2
Course Description
Welcome Class of 2015 to a year of British Literature! This course will cover reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking. Each quarter is divided into units of study; each unit is focused around essential questions to help us explore the material at hand. One of my goals for the year is to enhance your literary experience through technology. To do this, computer access is important. If this is an issue, please let me know so I can make accommodations. The following information is the course overview in a nutshell. It is to be understood that the work listed below will be supplemented by in class writing, reading, quizzes, and other related activities. Also, it may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances and/or the nature of the class.
First Quarter: August 27-November 7 (Scandinavia 8-11th(?) century, England-14th century)
Focus: Timeless and Universal Qualities of “Heroes”
Core texts: Beowulf, an epic poem and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a medieval “romance” poem
Summative assessment: write a short story about a contemporary quest.
Writing: college essay
Second Quarter: November 10-January 24 (Scotland-17th century)
Focus: Pride, Ambition, and Greed Taken Too Far?
Core text: Macbeth, a tragedy by William Shakespeare
Summative assessment: TBA
Writing: TBA
Third Quarter: January 27- April 4 (England-18th, 20th centuries)
Focus: Satire and Societal Values
Core Texts- “A Modest Proposal,” an essay by Jonathan Swift; 1984, a novel by George Orwell; “Shooting the Elephant,” an essay by George Orwell
Summative assessment: write and present a short three-minute speech that proves or disproves one of the slogans in 1984.
Writing: satirical essay
Fourth Quarter: April 7-May 30 (Africa- 20th century)
Focus: Colonial identity
Core Texts: Death and the King’s Horseman (play) and “Telephone Conversation,” (poem) both by Wole Soyinka;
Writing/Summative Assessment: on demand essay
Grading Policy
Graded work will fall under one of the following four categories: 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40%. You will know ahead of time the grade value for each assignment. You will submit some assignments to www.turnitin.com. This is not optional; please record your class ID number and password.
Class Expectations
1. Be on time to class. Each lateness without a pass= 0 on a 10% assignment. If there’s not a 10% assignment due on the day you’re late, I will change a previous 10% assignment to a 0.
2. Come prepared to work every day in class.
3. Hand in work on time. Late work = 0. No excuses; it is non negotiable. If you have an unforeseeable circumstance, please call or text me at 635-4477 and leave an explanatory message. If I do not receive a message and you do not have your work, it is a 0. This class is not only about enhancing your intellectual capabilities but it is about honing your skills in ownership and responsibility as well. You’re seniors!
4. a. All work is due at the beginning of class unless noted. This means that you may NOT go to the library to print your work unless you’ve spoken or emailed me ahead of time. Please anticipate printing problems ahead of time; the library may be closed the day an assignment is due.
b. Unexcused absence (cutting class) = 0 chance to make up assignment plus you’re on my radar for the rest of the year.
c. Excused absence with note = see me on the day you return. We will decide on an appropriate due date. If you do not see me, you may not make up the missed work and any missed assignment will = 0.
5. No food, cell phones, headphones, or hats allowed during class. I will confiscate your cell phone and give it to the appropriate administrator. He/she will determine the necessary consequence. I will take your hat for the day; any repeated offenses will be turned over to the appropriate administrator. These rules begin today. Drinks are acceptable.
Mrs. Goff, Room 215
Contact information: 635-4477(call or text); [email protected] (email)
Website: http://www.goff215.weebly.com
British Literature Textbook: http://www.glencoe.com/ose/showbook.php
Password = E787063bf2
Course Description
Welcome Class of 2015 to a year of British Literature! This course will cover reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking. Each quarter is divided into units of study; each unit is focused around essential questions to help us explore the material at hand. One of my goals for the year is to enhance your literary experience through technology. To do this, computer access is important. If this is an issue, please let me know so I can make accommodations. The following information is the course overview in a nutshell. It is to be understood that the work listed below will be supplemented by in class writing, reading, quizzes, and other related activities. Also, it may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances and/or the nature of the class.
First Quarter: August 27-November 7 (Scandinavia 8-11th(?) century, England-14th century)
Focus: Timeless and Universal Qualities of “Heroes”
Core texts: Beowulf, an epic poem and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a medieval “romance” poem
Summative assessment: write a short story about a contemporary quest.
Writing: college essay
Second Quarter: November 10-January 24 (Scotland-17th century)
Focus: Pride, Ambition, and Greed Taken Too Far?
Core text: Macbeth, a tragedy by William Shakespeare
Summative assessment: TBA
Writing: TBA
Third Quarter: January 27- April 4 (England-18th, 20th centuries)
Focus: Satire and Societal Values
Core Texts- “A Modest Proposal,” an essay by Jonathan Swift; 1984, a novel by George Orwell; “Shooting the Elephant,” an essay by George Orwell
Summative assessment: write and present a short three-minute speech that proves or disproves one of the slogans in 1984.
Writing: satirical essay
Fourth Quarter: April 7-May 30 (Africa- 20th century)
Focus: Colonial identity
Core Texts: Death and the King’s Horseman (play) and “Telephone Conversation,” (poem) both by Wole Soyinka;
Writing/Summative Assessment: on demand essay
Grading Policy
Graded work will fall under one of the following four categories: 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40%. You will know ahead of time the grade value for each assignment. You will submit some assignments to www.turnitin.com. This is not optional; please record your class ID number and password.
Class Expectations
1. Be on time to class. Each lateness without a pass= 0 on a 10% assignment. If there’s not a 10% assignment due on the day you’re late, I will change a previous 10% assignment to a 0.
2. Come prepared to work every day in class.
3. Hand in work on time. Late work = 0. No excuses; it is non negotiable. If you have an unforeseeable circumstance, please call or text me at 635-4477 and leave an explanatory message. If I do not receive a message and you do not have your work, it is a 0. This class is not only about enhancing your intellectual capabilities but it is about honing your skills in ownership and responsibility as well. You’re seniors!
4. a. All work is due at the beginning of class unless noted. This means that you may NOT go to the library to print your work unless you’ve spoken or emailed me ahead of time. Please anticipate printing problems ahead of time; the library may be closed the day an assignment is due.
b. Unexcused absence (cutting class) = 0 chance to make up assignment plus you’re on my radar for the rest of the year.
c. Excused absence with note = see me on the day you return. We will decide on an appropriate due date. If you do not see me, you may not make up the missed work and any missed assignment will = 0.
5. No food, cell phones, headphones, or hats allowed during class. I will confiscate your cell phone and give it to the appropriate administrator. He/she will determine the necessary consequence. I will take your hat for the day; any repeated offenses will be turned over to the appropriate administrator. These rules begin today. Drinks are acceptable.