Spring Syllabus for World Literature

Welcome to the spring semester of WORLD LITERATURE.  I hope this is a fun, creative, challenging, and universe-expanding class for you.  This semester we will read some of the great plays, novels, and essays which form the canon of Western Literature and the philosophical, political foundation of our culture.  We will read the following literature:

OEDIPUS REX
Aristotle's POETICS
HAMLET
DEATH of a SALESMAN
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
August Wilson's FENCES
THE STRANGER
Essays by Sartre, Niebuhr, W.T. Stace

It is imperative that you are in class on time every day.  We will be doing a great deal of reading and discussion in class, so the major way you will receive a grade in this class is by reading aloud, participating in class discussions and in class activities such as Socratic circles, "hot seat",  "tableaux", and by rewriting and performing scenes from the plays.  There will be a few essays as culminating assignments for the readings. But the primary way you will receive your grade in this class is by what you do in class.

Because plays are meant to be acted out and not just read silently, we will be acting out scenes from the plays and watching dvd's of great performances of some of these plays: HAMLET, DEATH of a SALESMAN, and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE.

You should check the blog and Engrade.com at least once a week to keep current about assignments and work.  My blog for this class can be accessed by going to hollywoodhighschool.net; clicking on "teachers" on the menu bar on the homepage; clicking on "blog" on the drop down box;  then "Bridges"; then Expository Composition.  The weekly agenda will be posted once a week, usually by Sunday and will be updated during the week. You can access your grades on engrade.com after you open your student account, which is free. If you don't have an account I can give you the password to open one.

If  you are absent from class, you are expected to check the website for assignments, and on your return, the wire basket on the bookcase for any handouts you missed while you were absent.  If you are absent when an assignment is due, the work will be due on the day you return. If an assignment is given during your absence, the work will be due the day after you return.

The grading scale is as follows:

90% - 100% = A
80% -   89% = B
70% -   79% = C
60% -   69% = D
Below  60% = Fail

Group Work: 33%
Class Participation (Reading and Discussion): 34%
Essays: 33%

It is important that we create a safe, respectful environment in which everyone feels secure and one's ideas and personhood are valued. It is only in a safe environment that one can truly learn and do one's best, most creative work.

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Student:
I have read the syllabus and I understand what is expected in this class:
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Parent or Guardian:
I have read the syllabus and discussed with the student what is expected in this class:
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