Ms. Megan Moser 2009-2010 School Year
Sophomore English American Literature Honors
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, The American Experience, 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: Independent reading
A Street Car Named Desire, by Tennessee Williams (first marking period),
Independent reading Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom (second marking
period), Independent reading Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury and Of Mice and
Men, by John Steinbeck (third marking period), A Raisin in the Sun, by
Lorraine Hansberry and Independent reading To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper
Lee (forth marking period).
Course Requirements
Lateness: If you are late for class and not accompanied by a note from a
teacher or guidance, you WILL get detention.
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 cite 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 as outlined in the MSDA
handbook
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.
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 projects 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. There are computers at MSDA, come
early or stay late and get your assignments printed out.
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.