apsyllabus200506

Ms. Bryan - 2011-12

A.P. English Literature and Composition - Syllabus

Course Description

A.P. English Literature and Composition is a college-level course whose primary goal is to help students develop mature habits of critical thinking as an independent reader of and writer about literature. To that end, our focus is on close, critical reading of poetry, drama, prose fiction (short stories and novels), and expository literature from the sixteenth century to the present. Students must learn to read carefully and justify their interpretations with specific reference to the text. Our critical discussion and writing about these works will center on each writer's technique, theme, style, and tone. To succeed in this class, students should have the kind of imagination stimulated by reading, the willingness to be independent learners and to share that learning with others orally and in writing, and the desire and capacity to work hard. The reading selections and writing assignments are challenging, and the pace of the class will be intense. It is my hope that all of you will take the A.P. Exam in May of 2011.

Works Studied

Silas Marner by George Eliot (summer reading)

Our Town by Thornton Wilder

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

The Natural by Bernard Malamud

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

A wide selection of poetry

Class Preparation

I expect each student to complete each reading assignment by the due date. No whining, no excuses. The same holds true for all written assignments. Students who begin to show a pattern of not completing readings and assignments (or only partially completing them) may be asked to enroll in a different English elective.

Necessary Materials

Each day, please bring the following materials to class:

a 3-ring binder dedicated to this course with plenty of paper (you'll be receiving copious amounts of handouts)

a couple of pens (blue or black ink only, please)

the appropriate text

a zest for learning

Contacting Me and Extra Help

Should you need to contact me for any reason, you may email me at sharon.bryan@lacenterschools.org or shbryan@comcast.net. In addition, you may call me at home (360-423-6968). If you need extra help, I usually arrive at school by 7:15 a.m. and stay until 4:00 p.m. You are, of course, free to come in during those times for assistance.

Course Description		A.P. English Literature and Composition is a college-level course whose primary goal is to help students develop mature habits of critical thinking as an independent reader of and writer about literature. To that end, our focus is on close, critical reading of poetry, drama, prose fiction (short stories and novels), and expository literature from the sixteenth century to the present. Students must learn to read carefully and justify their interpretations with specific reference to the text. Our critical discussion and writing about these works will center on each writer's technique, theme, style, and tone. To succeed in this class, students should have the kind of imagination stimulated by reading, the willingness to be independent learners and to share that learning with others orally and in writing, and the desire and capacity to work hard. The reading selections and writing assignments are challenging, and the pace of the class will be intense. It is my hope that all of you will take the A.P. Exam in May of 2011.
Works Studied		Silas Marner by George Eliot (summer reading) Our Town by Thornton Wilder Life of Pi by Yann Martel Beloved by Toni Morrison Macbeth by William Shakespeare Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte The Natural by Bernard Malamud The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne A wide selection of poetry
Class Preparation		I expect each student to complete each reading assignment by the due date. No whining, no excuses. The same holds true for all written assignments. Students who begin to show a pattern of not completing readings and assignments (or only partially completing them) may be asked to enroll in a different English elective.
Necessary Materials		Each day, please bring the following materials to class: a 3-ring binder dedicated to this course with plenty of paper (you'll be receiving copious amounts of handouts) a couple of pens (blue or black ink only, please) the appropriate text a zest for learning
Contacting Me and Extra Help		Should you need to contact me for any reason, you may email me at sharon.bryan@lacenterschools.org or shbryan@comcast.net. In addition, you may call me at home (360-423-6968). If you need extra help, I usually arrive at school by 7:15 a.m. and stay until 4:00 p.m. You are, of course, free to come in during those times for assistance.