This course is for proficient English students. Students will study pre-college writing skills and American literature. Students will study the significant contributions of writers viewed against the historical background of their time and in terms of other works that deal with the same ideas of freedom, self-reliance, individualism, romanticism, disillusionment, and hope. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions, read novels independently, deliver short oral reports, and write both personal and critical essays. The course will also focus on persuasive writing, expository writing and research skills.

Standards and Grading

A: 93-100 Outstanding work in which the student has consistently exceeded the stated requirements and objectives
B: 85-92 Effective work in which the student meets and sometimes exceeds the stated requirements and objectives
C: 75-84 Adequate work in which the student meets stated requirements and objectives
D: 70-74 Inadequate work in which the student sometimes meets stated requirements and objectives
F: 0-69 Failing work in which the student does not meet stated requirements and objectives

Course Standards may be found at http://www.state.tn.us/education/ci/cistandards2001/la/cila11.htm.

First Six Weeks
Composition overview: Review of The 6 Traits of Good Writing (nwrel.org); diagnostic persuasive timed essay
Literature overview: Native-American, exploration, Colonial and Revolutionary period literature through 1800 (Elements of Literature, Collection 1); novel of choice

Second Six Weeks
Composition overview: Practice timed essay, personal essay
Literature overview: American Romanticism 1800-1860; (Elements of Literature, Collection 2); novel of choice

Third Six Weeks
Composition overview: Practice timed essay, literary essay
Literature overview: Continuation of American Romanticism 1800-1860 (Elements of Literature, Collections 2 and 3): novel

Fourth Six Weeks
Composition overview: Five practice timed essays (minimum)
Literature overview: Rise of Realism 1860-1914 (Elements of Literature, Collection 4); novel

Fifth Six Weeks
Composition overview: Research skills project; Business project
Literature overview: The Moderns, 1914-1939 (Elements of Literature, Collection 5)

Sixth Six Weeks
Composition overview: Analyzing and Using Media, business project
Literature overview: Modern and Contemporary Literature 1914 to present (Elements of Literature, Collections 5 and 6)