American Literature

American Literature
Doctorando: Edgardo A. Ábrego P.
Telephone: 998.3165 Cellphone: 6205-7417 / 6486-9690
Email: elohimyeshua777@gmail.com / manasseh777@hotmail.com
Blog: http://americabritainisrael.blogspot.com
COURSE GUIDELINES

Overview
This university preparatory requirement introduces students to American literature and traditions. The course incorporates literature-based writing, vocabulary development and language study through some of the major works in American literature. Students will study the influence of the Puritans and the consequent themes of free will and the American dream. Students will also read the district core works, The Great Gatsby and The Joy Luck Club. The principal works of important American poets are also surveyed. Students should expect to read 10 pages a night and write two-page formal papers every three weeks.
Required texts

Fitzgerald´s The Great Gatsby
Tan´s The Joy Luck Club

Optional texts
Hansberry´s Raisin in the Sun
Miller´s Death of a Salesman ( Final Exam on July 11th )
Kingsolver´s Animal Dreams
Kesey´s One Flew Over the Cuckoo´s Nest
Lan Cao´s Monkey Bridge
George Orwell´s 1984

Although Orwell was British, his novel is as relevant to modern America as anything in the Paly bookroom. We will also explore many short stories and poems by other American literary figures.
Materials
Please keep a binder for handouts, class notes, completed assignments and other papers relating to this class. Please bring the binder and notebook paper to class every day.
Please save all graded work after I return it to you. This work will serve as a record of your progress for your end-of-semester writing portfolio. Also, photocopy or retain digital copies of all assignments before turning them in to me. I will not be responsible for lost assignments.
I will expect you to use your student planner to help organize your assignment schedules and as a tool for citing sources for your papers.

Assignments/grading
A grade of A or B in this course symbolizes the teacher's judgment that students will be able to do satisfactory work in English at UDELAS, provided that the student continues to develop reading and writing skills at his or her current pace.
Your grades will be calculated according to a standard 100/90/80/70 percentage system and will include a participation element.
Formal papers/creative projects/final exam 34%
Reading logs/reading with a friend/quizzes 33%
Participation/vocabulary/final portfolio 33%

FORMAL PAPERS/CREATIVE PROJECTS/FINAL EXAM: (Roughly 34 percent of final grade)
Every two weeks or so, I will ask you to prepare formal papers, which will be evaluated as polished pieces according to rubrics that I will hand out to you. Expect mid-term and final exams.
READING LOGS/QUIZZES/READING WITH A FRIEND: (Roughly 33 percent of final grade)
As a general rule, you should expect to read 10-15 pages per night (including your outside reading), depending on the difficulty of the reading. You MUST keep up with the reading as reading logs, class discussions and class activities are planned with that premise. The reading logs are 300- to 400-word responses that will be our core device for exploring our readings. You will receive a separate handout for the reading logs.
PARTICIPATION/VOCABULARY/FINAL PORTFOLIO: (Roughly 33 percent of final grade)
In addition to reading and writing, we will be working on listening and speaking skills. Much of the course will involve student-led discussions about literature Sometimes you will be working with a group to help lead the class. At other times, you might find yourself delivering an oral presentation or sitting in on a fishbowl discussion.

Class environment
Students are to conduct themselves in a courteous, business-like manner at all times. You are welcome to bring drinks and small snacks to class as long as you clean up after yourselves, and as long as the food does not become a distraction. Please do not wear earphones or use calculators or other electronic devices.

Absences

It is the student´s responsibility to find out what work has been missed during an absence from class. Deadlines for work missed during an excused absence are extended one day for each day of excused absence. Deadlines will not be extended for unexcused absences. Unexcused tardies also can affect your grade.

Academic honesty
Do your own work and take your own tests. Work with others, but avoid copying work from other students or other sources. Cheating on tests, copying someone else's work, or having someone do your work for you is not allowed. If you are dishonest, you'll automatically receive a zero on the assignment, and, depending on the gravity of the infraction, more severe penalties.
Student-teacher meetings
The best time to reach me for an individual conference is Friday at UDELAS English-Computer Lab. You can also contact me at any available source I have provided for you.