Course Syllabus

English 12 acp                                                                                             Curriculum and Expectations ’21 -’22 Mr. McCullough                                                                                                                                           Rm. 215  

Welcome to English 12 acp and what I expect will be a challenging and enriching experience for all of us—and, in the era of Covid-19, an exercise in open-mindedness, perseverance and agility.  Through every circumstance we will do our best.  Our journey together will be in the company of some of the most important writers in the western tradition.  We can’t help but learn a great deal from them, and, of course, from one another.  The success of the course, though, and the benefits you derive from it, will depend largely on your engagement, dedication and receptiveness.   

In English 12 acp you will immerse yourself in literature and ideas.  You will read and listen closely, think broadly and deeply and be open to new perspectives.  You will make relevant, discuss and write about what you conclude.  You will work to hone your powers of perception and self-expression.  You will support your classmates.  You will shoulder responsibility and work hard.  

Curriculum*  

Journeys: Frederick Douglass’s memoir; Stories from In Our Time; Deliverance; “Ulysses”; “Impressions of an Indian Childhood"; “A Worn Path.”

The Human Universe:  Hamlet; Our Town; “Aubade,” “To The Virgins…” and other poems; “The Open Boat”; “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.”  

The Melange: Zorba The Greek; Horseman Pass By; Stories from A Good Man Is Hard to Find; Poems by Pablo Neruda.

Darkness: The Merchant of Venice; Things Fall Apart; The Things They Carried; Apocalypse Now; Dear America.                                                                                                                                                                           

Identity and Voice: A Bell for Adano; Stories from Interpreter of Maladies; Poems by Mary Oliver and Billy  Collins; “Song of the Open Road”; You Can’t Take It With You.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         * This is the optimist’s list.  Circumstances might require adjustments.

Expectations    

You will come to class on time and prepared.   

You will be attentive, receptive and responsible, as well as courteous to and respectful of others.  

You will meet deadlines for all reading and writing assignments.  If you anticipate a problem, let me know.  Excuses after the fact will fall on unsympathetic ears.  One late waiver a quarter is available for written work to those who need it.     

You will adhere to the strictest tenets of academic and personal integrity.  The consequences of any transgression will be severe.     

You will abide by all Covid-19 protocols to the strictest standards and be prepared for any adjustments circumstance requires.   You will respond to communications promptly.  

Assignments  

You can expect an average of about forty pages of reading in preparation for each class meeting.  Anticipate unannounced quizzes on the readings, as well as exercises to encourage and assess your mastery of vocabulary and the craft of writing.  Absent students are responsible for making up promptly the work they missed.  Do not expect reminders from me.  

Grading  

Grading will be based on a point system.  Your grade will be determined by what percentage the points you earned are of the total possible during each grading period.  The significance of an assignment will be reflected in the number of points it’s worth.  Papers and DEs will account for roughly 60% of your grade; engagement (participation, conscientiousness, diligence, receptiveness) about 20%.  Quizzes and other in-class experiences will comprise about 20%.  

Discussion Essays and Papers  

Discussion essays should be not less than 200 words, formal papers not less than 750.  (Your senior paper in the spring will be considerably longer.)  Late DEs will not be accepted for credit, late papers will be assessed a ten percent penalty a day.  All written work must be word-processed in a conventional font, double-spaced, with one-inch margins.  DEs must be more than just one paragraph.  To get full credit for a DE you must define the word that appears in parentheses with each assignment.  Papers must be accompanied by an assessment sheet.