English I Syllabus: 2017-2018
Instructor: Dr. Maximilian Maier
Instructor’s Office: (Please Note the Change): Zinnamon 8107
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.drmaier.weebly.com
Phone: (713) 448-8432
Office Hours: , Lunch, and by appointment.
Course Objectives:
Through a close reading of various novels, short stories, and poems, we will investigate how literary representations highlight various contextual aspects of the human experience. Our extensive engagement with texts will allow us to explore social, political, racial, economic, and gender-related issues that have affected and shaped American culture throughout our history.
The course furthermore aims to foster analytical and critical thinking, persuasiveness, and creativity in the students’ argumentative discourse. Finally, our engagement with great literature will highlight critical moral issues and dilemmas and help strengthen the values instilled through our school’s Catholic, Jesuit mission.
By the end of a year in English I, a student should be able to do the following:
Primary Textbooks:
Assignments and Course Structure
Readings and Assignments will be indicated on the website (see link above). Reading and participation are absolutely essential for success in this course. Students are expected to read each assignment thoroughly and should come to class prepared to actively contribute during class discussions. Superficial readings and plot summaries are simply not sufficient for appreciating great literature. Students will learn how to be active, critically engaged readers. They will read with a highlighter and/or pen, annotate their reading, and be able to show others the areas in the text that most provoked their thought and inquiry.
Relying on “study aids” like Sparknotes or Schmoop as a substitute for reading is unacceptable. Use of these materials is a form of academic dishonesty. If a student is seen with a website of this low character open, he will be reported.
As a Strake Jesuit student, you deserve a top-notch education, not cheap shortcuts.
Homework: Although the bulk of Homework assignments will involve reading, there will be numerous homework assignments on occasion. You will be required to complete these on time in order to earn proper credit and avoid receiving a 0 in the gradebook. All Homework will be posted by 3:15 pm or before on the eve of the date that it is due. Typically, the weekly reading schedule for the class will be posted on Monday and you will have a good idea for what you are responsible for each week.
Assessments: Regular reading quizzes will be given to ensure that students are doing their required reading.
In addition, there will be at least 4 writing assignments (of varying length and depth) per academic quarter.
Participation: This is a critical component of the class and is not to be neglected. Woody Allen once remarked that “eighty percent of success is showing up.” This is not the case in this class, however. The course will largely depend upon class discussion, and ALL students will in some form contribute to class discussions, often working in small groups. Behavioral distractions and unlicensed use of I-pads or phones will negatively impact this critical component of the overall grade. You are called upon to act at all times like a Strake Jesuit student.
Meetings: As part of your participation grade, it is required that each student meet with me outside of class at least once each quarter during the first semester. Appointments must be made by the student. This is a great opportunity to get personalized feedback on your work.
Grade Breakdown:
Papers: 40%
Participation, Homework and Group Work: 30%
Test and Quizzes: 30%
Note that these categories will account for 100% of your Quarter 1 grade. They will account for 80% of your total grade, with the remaining 20% being accounted for by the Final Exam.
Daily Work: Readings will be completed before every class and students must be ready to discuss them immediately when class starts (be settled and ready to begin when the bell rings). For this class you will need a composition book that we will use for in-class journals. The journal is a way for you to build confidence in writing without the stress and scrutiny of an official course essay. We will frequently work in small groups to tackle discussion questions. Your active participation in these groups is critical.
Tardy Policy: At Strake Jesuit, it is a fundamental expectation that ALL students arrive on time and have their materials ready. If you are tardy or unprepared, you are considered tardy and a PH will be assessed.
Behavior: We are representatives of the finest college preparatory school in the city and need to remind ourselves to strive for excellence in all realms.
What is good behavior?
Respect for others in class and the instructor at all times
Quietly and respectfully following any instructions issued by the teacher
Maintaining a respectful and reverent attitude during prayer at the beginning of class
Raising one's hand to be called upon and never talking out of turn
Respect the instructor and your fellow classmates at all times. Depending on severity and/or frequency, more drastic punishments—such as multiple PHs or Saturday PHs—will be enforced. The class participation grade will suffer as well.
iPad Policy: Do not open, start, or operate your iPad unless you are instructed to do so by the teacher; all iPads MUST be in your backpack or under your desk any time they are not in use. If iPads are in use, they MUST be face up on the desk (not propped up), and they MUST be set to Airplane Mode (Settings). Any use of the iPad inconsistent with this policy and the policy in the Student Handbook will be dealt with swiftly and with punitive measures. The iPad is a tool of convenience, not a game machine, distraction, or toy. iPads may NOT be used for taking notes. Research indicates that writing notes with a pen or pencil is more effective for memory retention than with a keyboard.
Cell phones are NOT permitted in the classroom. Any use of cell phones in the classroom, even before the bell has rung, will result in a PH.
Late Work Policy: All assigned homework/papers must be turned in on the assigned date, at the beginning of class. Each day an assignment is late, the score will drop 10 points automatically. After a paper has been late 5 days, it can no longer be accepted and will receive a 0.
Writing Policy: Papers should comply with standard MLA format for headers and citations. We will thoroughly A Revision Checklist must be completed and attached at the end of each paper. Failure to complete the parameters of each assignment, including MLA format and the Revision Checklist will result in grade reductions. We will thoroughly practice MLA format in class of course.
Academic Integrity: Plagiarism, cheating, and academic dishonesty of any kind are serious offenses with serious disciplinary consequences at Strake Jesuit. The ideas you use in any work for class must be your own. You are NOT to consult any outside sources (printed or online) other than the texts we read in class when preparing your homework and essays.
The turnitin.com software is very good. Any cases of academic dishonesty will in disciplinary consequences with the Dean. Do not blemish your academic record or tarnish your personal reputation by committing any form of academic dishonesty.
Instructor: Dr. Maximilian Maier
Instructor’s Office: (Please Note the Change): Zinnamon 8107
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.drmaier.weebly.com
Phone: (713) 448-8432
Office Hours: , Lunch, and by appointment.
Course Objectives:
Through a close reading of various novels, short stories, and poems, we will investigate how literary representations highlight various contextual aspects of the human experience. Our extensive engagement with texts will allow us to explore social, political, racial, economic, and gender-related issues that have affected and shaped American culture throughout our history.
The course furthermore aims to foster analytical and critical thinking, persuasiveness, and creativity in the students’ argumentative discourse. Finally, our engagement with great literature will highlight critical moral issues and dilemmas and help strengthen the values instilled through our school’s Catholic, Jesuit mission.
By the end of a year in English I, a student should be able to do the following:
- Compose a thoughtful argumentative essay on a work of literature.
- Understand the fundamentals of thesis statements, argumentative body paragraphs, proper use of quotes, and critical engagement with both literary and non-fiction texts.
- Recite with confidence lines from Homer and Shakespeare
- Brag to his friends that he has read all of Homer's Odyssey (alas, not in the original Greek)
- Understand the nuts and bolts of MLA formatting and properly cite textual evidence in an essay
- Approach the reading of Shakespeare with impressive confidence
- Appreciate how we can find God in works of literature
- Understand how literature emphasizes fundamental aspects of the human condition and heightens our sense of empathy and fellowship with others
- Cultivate an interest in reading that will hopefully extend throughout one's lifetime
Primary Textbooks:
- A Separate Peace by John Knowles (Summer Reading)
- Literature to Go (2nd Edition) edited by Michael Meyer (Hard copy only; no e-book accepted)
- The Odyssey by Homer, translated by Robert Fagles (Penguin Classics, Deluxe edition, ISBN 978-0-14-026886-7) (Make sure you have the correct version/translation)
- Elements of Language Workbook Third Course: Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics. Language Skills Practice (Holt, Rinehart, and Winston)
- Vocabulary from Latin and Greek Roots, Book III (Prestwick House, ISBN 978-1-58049-202-7)
- Additional Novel: All Quiet on the Western Front (information to be provided at a later date)
- Additional Play: Henry IV, Part I by William Shakespeare (information to be provided at a later date)
Assignments and Course Structure
Readings and Assignments will be indicated on the website (see link above). Reading and participation are absolutely essential for success in this course. Students are expected to read each assignment thoroughly and should come to class prepared to actively contribute during class discussions. Superficial readings and plot summaries are simply not sufficient for appreciating great literature. Students will learn how to be active, critically engaged readers. They will read with a highlighter and/or pen, annotate their reading, and be able to show others the areas in the text that most provoked their thought and inquiry.
Relying on “study aids” like Sparknotes or Schmoop as a substitute for reading is unacceptable. Use of these materials is a form of academic dishonesty. If a student is seen with a website of this low character open, he will be reported.
As a Strake Jesuit student, you deserve a top-notch education, not cheap shortcuts.
Homework: Although the bulk of Homework assignments will involve reading, there will be numerous homework assignments on occasion. You will be required to complete these on time in order to earn proper credit and avoid receiving a 0 in the gradebook. All Homework will be posted by 3:15 pm or before on the eve of the date that it is due. Typically, the weekly reading schedule for the class will be posted on Monday and you will have a good idea for what you are responsible for each week.
Assessments: Regular reading quizzes will be given to ensure that students are doing their required reading.
In addition, there will be at least 4 writing assignments (of varying length and depth) per academic quarter.
Participation: This is a critical component of the class and is not to be neglected. Woody Allen once remarked that “eighty percent of success is showing up.” This is not the case in this class, however. The course will largely depend upon class discussion, and ALL students will in some form contribute to class discussions, often working in small groups. Behavioral distractions and unlicensed use of I-pads or phones will negatively impact this critical component of the overall grade. You are called upon to act at all times like a Strake Jesuit student.
Meetings: As part of your participation grade, it is required that each student meet with me outside of class at least once each quarter during the first semester. Appointments must be made by the student. This is a great opportunity to get personalized feedback on your work.
Grade Breakdown:
Papers: 40%
Participation, Homework and Group Work: 30%
Test and Quizzes: 30%
Note that these categories will account for 100% of your Quarter 1 grade. They will account for 80% of your total grade, with the remaining 20% being accounted for by the Final Exam.
Daily Work: Readings will be completed before every class and students must be ready to discuss them immediately when class starts (be settled and ready to begin when the bell rings). For this class you will need a composition book that we will use for in-class journals. The journal is a way for you to build confidence in writing without the stress and scrutiny of an official course essay. We will frequently work in small groups to tackle discussion questions. Your active participation in these groups is critical.
Tardy Policy: At Strake Jesuit, it is a fundamental expectation that ALL students arrive on time and have their materials ready. If you are tardy or unprepared, you are considered tardy and a PH will be assessed.
Behavior: We are representatives of the finest college preparatory school in the city and need to remind ourselves to strive for excellence in all realms.
What is good behavior?
Respect for others in class and the instructor at all times
Quietly and respectfully following any instructions issued by the teacher
Maintaining a respectful and reverent attitude during prayer at the beginning of class
Raising one's hand to be called upon and never talking out of turn
Respect the instructor and your fellow classmates at all times. Depending on severity and/or frequency, more drastic punishments—such as multiple PHs or Saturday PHs—will be enforced. The class participation grade will suffer as well.
iPad Policy: Do not open, start, or operate your iPad unless you are instructed to do so by the teacher; all iPads MUST be in your backpack or under your desk any time they are not in use. If iPads are in use, they MUST be face up on the desk (not propped up), and they MUST be set to Airplane Mode (Settings). Any use of the iPad inconsistent with this policy and the policy in the Student Handbook will be dealt with swiftly and with punitive measures. The iPad is a tool of convenience, not a game machine, distraction, or toy. iPads may NOT be used for taking notes. Research indicates that writing notes with a pen or pencil is more effective for memory retention than with a keyboard.
Cell phones are NOT permitted in the classroom. Any use of cell phones in the classroom, even before the bell has rung, will result in a PH.
Late Work Policy: All assigned homework/papers must be turned in on the assigned date, at the beginning of class. Each day an assignment is late, the score will drop 10 points automatically. After a paper has been late 5 days, it can no longer be accepted and will receive a 0.
Writing Policy: Papers should comply with standard MLA format for headers and citations. We will thoroughly A Revision Checklist must be completed and attached at the end of each paper. Failure to complete the parameters of each assignment, including MLA format and the Revision Checklist will result in grade reductions. We will thoroughly practice MLA format in class of course.
Academic Integrity: Plagiarism, cheating, and academic dishonesty of any kind are serious offenses with serious disciplinary consequences at Strake Jesuit. The ideas you use in any work for class must be your own. You are NOT to consult any outside sources (printed or online) other than the texts we read in class when preparing your homework and essays.
The turnitin.com software is very good. Any cases of academic dishonesty will in disciplinary consequences with the Dean. Do not blemish your academic record or tarnish your personal reputation by committing any form of academic dishonesty.