| Ms. Megan Moser 2008-2009
School Year
Types of Literature
Course Goals
· To introduce students to a variety of literary styles.
· To improve and encourage writing skills.
· To explore different authors and examine their powerful messages.
· To build stronger vocabularies.
· To sharpen students’ critical thinking, close reading, and literary
analysis skills.
Course Text
Everyone has the required text book, Literature Timeless Voices, Timeless
Themes, by Prentice Hall Literature. Everyone has Writers Inc. Handbook too.
I expect these books to be with you for every class, unless otherwise
specified. We will read other books that are not in your text. You are
responsible for getting the following books: The Glass Menagerie, by
Tennessee Williams (first marking period). The Joy Luck Club, by Amy Tan
(second marking period), The Catcher in the Rye, by J. D. Salinger (third
marking period), and Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare (fourth
marking period).
Course Requirements
Class Participation: Class discussions are only successful when people
actually discuss things. Whether you agree or disagree is not the issue, the
important thing is that you have an opinion. Speak up and let your voice be
heard, I notice.
Preparation: I will outline the assignments due on a week-by-week basis in
class and on teacher web. Always check teacher web, I update it regularly
for you. I will not keep reminding you of your assignments. It is your own
responsibility to keep on top of your work and due dates. Make it a habit
to read what is assigned and then some. It will only hurt you if you fall
behind in the reading. Take notes on things that interest you, confuse you,
or that you find noteworthy. These are great platforms for discussion.
Papers: You will be writing many papers during this year. They will range in
length, style, formality, and research. I will go further in-depth as the
assignments near their due dates. I will teach you how to properly site your
papers using MLA documentation formatting. Do not worry; it will be a step-
by-step process that will focus on the basics.
Plagiarism: This leads me to my next point, plagiarism. Once we have gone
over MLA documentation in class, I will hold every student accountable for
her work. That means that plagiarism or reproducing or paraphrasing someone
else’s words or ideas without giving them credit will not be tolerated. Make
no mistake though, this does not mean that until we review MLA documentation
that you can copy and paste other people’s work and pass it off as your own.
If this occurs, there will be severe consequences.
Test, Quizzes, and Exams: Over the course of the year, various test and
quizzes will be given. You will have two exams over the year. One is a
midterm (in January) and the other a final (in June). I will give pop
quizzes if I feel that they are necessary. You will never have a test or an
exam without an in-class review first.
QEP Portfolio: The QEP Portfolio stands for question, examine, and ponder.
This portfolio will help you to become better note takers as well as
critical readers. An author never writes with just one meaning in mind. It
is your job to figure out what these multi layers mean. The QEP Portfolio
helps to get your thoughts in order as your read and weed through your class
discussion notes so you can stay on top of things. I will collect the
portfolio four times a year. A complete worksheet outlining all that is
expected will follow.
Organization: To succeed in this class and in life, you must be organized. I
want everyone to have a three ringed binder, dividers, and lots of paper. I
will go over how you should keep your binders so that you can stay
organized. Notebooks and folders are fine too, but you must have the three
items I listed above.
Grading
Your papers and QEP Portfolios are due on the dates assigned. For every
class period that the assignment is late, 10% of the value is deducted.
Computer or printer problems are not a valid excuse. Illness and emergency
situations do arise. If this happens and you are absent the day something is
due, you can email me the assignment. If I don’t get it, it is considered
late, unless accompanied with a note from a parent or doctor. Lateness is
rude and inconsiderate to your classmates and me. See MSDA Planner for full
policies.
If you do not hand in an assignment, I will not keep asking you for it. It
is your own responsibility to keep track of your work, if you do not, your
grade will suffer as a result.
Absences do not constitute a valid excuse for missed in class assignments or
notes. If you are not in school, check teacher web or contact a fellow
student to get caught up.
Resources
Contact Information: I arrive early to school and leave late in the day. You
can find me around the building most days. If you have a problem and can’t
stay before or after school, we can set up another time that works. I can
also be reached by email at mmoser@msdacademy.org. I check it everyday so
feel free to email me with any questions, comments, or problems you may have.
Changes to policies
I reserve the right to add or change policies at my discretion. Any changes
will be announced in class. You are responsible for such alterations,
whether or not you are in class that day.
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