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Welcome to Mr Belasco's Advanced Placement Literature and Composition

 

Well, we have settled into the year nicely, with the exception of the oppresive humidity and the risk of melting into the floor, this is looking to be an outstanding year. If any of you think of a good way to present information just drop me a quick note. We seem to have adjusted to the use of turnitin.com; nevertheless, as the year proceeds, we will begin to explore the minutia and ideally move toward being a paperless class. Not sure how comfortable this old man will be eschewing paper, but it is worth a try. For now, keep reading and keep writing... Till my next note. Enjoy yourself and enjoy every sandwich.

Ferrum ferro acuitur

 

2010 Summer reading essay choices

A self evaluation you should complete prior to taking the class. You should answer these questions honestly, and if you cannot answer yes to all these questions this class is not for you.
The summer reading requirements for the AP 11 class. Start reading A.S.A.P. Also, summer reading is a serious requirement and failure to comply will result in removal from the class. You will have an essay and a lesson to teach based upon your readings.
A collection of resources for all the texts we will read this year. Feel free to browse the resources before reading the text to help you gain a handle.
The current syllabus for AP Literature. As we progress, I will maintain previous syllabi as well as our current syllabus.
An alphabetical list of the books which have appeared on The AP Literature and Composition test since 1971 along with the year(s) the books were used.
The current curriculum registered with the College Board for Lower Cape May Regional's Advanced Placement Literature and Composition
A great overview of the elements and aspects of this course. You can log in as a parent or a students for updates.

AP Literature Grade Sheet

Voice Lesson Power Point Presentation

The Syllabus was updated on January 19, 2011 12:11 PM

AP Literature and Composition
The Crimes Against Humanity – How We Treat One Another?
Spring 2011
Mr. Belasco
Course Outline

  1. In this course, we will investigate the subject of “Crimes Against Humanity”, focusing on how man treats his fellow man. We will examine our human conflict including how we can occasionally rise above such conflict. We will look into characters who act with dire consequences together with those who are never able to follow through their plans. In studying authors ranging from Shakespeare to Faulkner to Danticat, we shall examine the historical, social, and political contexts that inform the literature, and we shall grapple with the challenging, sometime daunting field of literary theory.

 

The demands of the course are rigorous, similar to those you will encounter in an advanced first-year or sophomore level literature course in colleges you are likely to attend. Take advantage of every opportunity to read and write ahead as the workload becomes relentless.

We WILL have some fun, I promise

  1. Texts (Probably in the order we will read them):
    1. Edwidge Danticat The Farming of Bones
    2. James Faulkner A Light in August
    3. Assorted Poetry
    4. T.S. Elliott The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” (Handout)
    5. Christina Rossetti “Goblin Market” (Handout)
    6. William Shakespeare Macbeth
    7. August Wilson Fences
    8. Selected short stories (spread through the semester)
    9. Films (TBA)

 

  1. Course Requirements
    1. AP  Essay Choices from The Farming of Bones ( take home and timed)
    2. One 2 ½ page essay from A Light in August
    3. AP Essay choices from A Light in August ( one timed and two take home)
    4. One 2-1/2 page essay on the use of language in “Parsley”
    5. Two 2-1/2 page “review” essay assessing the effectiveness of films we view.
    6. One 5-7 page paper, at least one of which must apply a critical perspective (or perspectives) other than formalist to a work of literature (Fences). The other may be a creative piece (indeed, I hope that you do write creatively). Topics of your choice as long as they connect to course concerns.
    7. Five 45-minute in-class essays.
    8. Journal – you will prepare a total of Nine journal entries each semester. I will collect them THE LAST CLASS DAY OF EACH WEEK. You may hand in as many as TWO entries in a one-week period if you become inspired (or desperate). You must submit at least six entries by April 1st . By a journal entry I mean the following: at least one typed page (double-spaced) in which you respond informally but thoughtfully on the work assigned for the next day or offer ORIGINAL thoughts concerning a particular day’s class, a film, a presentation. Keep all entries in a folder with pockets and hand in the folder each time the journal is due. Comment on characters, themes, conflicts, language, comparison with earlier readings, etc. Feel free to react subjectively (but no touchy-feely bleeding and whining all over the page with gut responses). The best journals (those earning and A or B) will include provocative, pithy questions for discussion. DATE EACH ENTRY; INDICATE PAGE NUMBERS COVERED OR DATE AND SUBJECT MATTER OF CLASS BEING DISCUSSED; AND LABEL EACH JOURNAL WITH THE JOURNAL NUMBER. You will receive a grade for each entry.
    9. You may hand in a paper at least 48 hours before it is due for a quick response.
    10. You may rewrite TWO essays; one rewrite must be submitted before April 1st. Original grade and rewrite grade count.  
    11. You will assume responsibility for one class during the semester (tentative)
  1. Expectations
    1. Participate valuably each day (Quality is the key. Lack of preparation will show).
    2. Do not dominate conversations; believe it or not, you are not the center of the universe.
    3. Be supportive, active listener
    4. Don’t carp or whine or in any way be discourteous
    5. Submit assignments on time.
    6. THINK

 

  1. Course Weighting

Class work; Homework; short papers; quizzes       20%
Journals                                                                 20%
Take home essays                                                  30%
In-Class Essays                                                      20%
Daily Work                                                                        10%

  1. Schedule

Week of Jan 17 – Jan.21:      Course review; AP test overview The Farming of Bones: Chapters 1-21(pg 117)
Week of January  24-28    The Farming of Bones: Chapters 22-32(pg 229)
Week of Jan 31-Feb 4        The Farming of Bones: Chapters 33-end and Rita Dove’s “ Parsley”
Week of February 7 - 11      Short  Stories:” The Birthmark”       (416-427)
                                                                   “Videotape”                (627-631)
                                                                  “The Cranes”               (301-304)
                                                                  “Her First Elk”                         (658-667)
                                              Essay due on The Farming of Bones
Week of February 14-18     Light in August Chapters 1 through 4  (98 pages)
Week of February 21- 25  Light in August Chapters 5 through 8  (98 pages)
Week of Feb. 28 – Mar. 4**          Light in August Chapters 9 through 13 (117 pages)
Week of March 7-11         Light in August Chapters 14 through 17  (95 pages)
Week of March 14 – 18     Light in August Chapters 18 through End  (92 pages)
Week of March 21- 25      Poetry
Week of March 28- April 1Poetry “Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” and “Goblin
                                          Market” Light in August Essay Due
Week of April 4-8                         Poetry and Macbeth
Week of April 11-15         Macbeth   
Week of April 18-22         Spring Break (Fences)
Week of April 25-29         Macbeth (Fences)   
Week of May 2-6***        AP Prep
Week of May 9-13***      TBA Movie (Prepare poetry lesson)
Week of May 16-20                      TBA Movie (Prepare poetry lesson)
Week of May  23-27         Poetry Lesson
Week of May 30-June 3    Poetry Lesson
Week of June 6-10            Final Exams
Week of June 13-15          Final Exams
N.B. syllabus is subject to change (No deletions will arise however).

** HSPA Week – This will have a shortened schedule all week. You will be responsible for the bulk of work on your own.  We might only meet twice

*** AP Testing Week for Seniors:
            Tuesday          May 3              AP Spanish
Wednesday     May 4              AP Calculus
Thursday        May 5             English Literature and Composition
           
            Monday           May 9              AP Physics
            Tuesday          May 10            AP US Government


Sample Journal This is a journal I wrote on The Sun also Rises. As you can see, it conducts a tight reading and tries to look beyond merely summarizing what happens on the page. Shoot for this level of analysis... or beyond if you think I am an underachiever. Pay close attention to formatting.

Short Story Boot Camp Handouts

* Plot Notes

* Chronology from "A Rose for Emily": Try to challenge yourself and not look at this unless you get confused.

* Characterization handout.

* Setting Analysis Information

* Point of View Analysis Information

* Theme Analysis

* I Stand Here Ironing : creative assignment.

 

This free script provided by
Rainbow Arch