Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus
Scholars English
Mr. Lawless

Welcome to Scholars English!

Throughout the year we will be exploring and exercising the power of language. This power should not be underestimated or taken for granted. Language is the primary means by which we create and convey ideas, learn from and persuade other, reflect and shape culture, and entertain each other. Unlike other English courses you may have taken, Scholars has been specifically designed to bridge the gaps between all areas of human understanding. We will explore the interrelation of science, art, literature, politics, philosophy, and culture as they compete, correlate, overlap, and diverge through history. Strap in, it’s going to be a trip. While it would be foolhardy to try and list everything we will do this year, here are some general objectives. We will:

• Read and demonstrate an understanding of a variety of literary genres.
• Integrate new vocabulary in verbal expression.
• Demonstrate knowledge and use of literary terms.
• Demonstrate comprehension of cultural and historical perspectives in art and literature.
• Apply the writing traits to form coherent essays.
• Comprehend and apply delivery techniques in oral presentations.
• Develop sophisticated logical arguments using evidence and reason.
• Demonstrate literal, inferential, evaluative, and comparative comprehension skills.
• Extend and deepen comprehension by relating texts, experiences, issues, and events.
• Explore how literature records, reflects, communicates, and influences human events.
• Read and respond to literary works from the cradle of civilization through the Renaissance.
• Evaluate how literature is influenced by historical, cultural, social, and biographical factors.
• Use writing as a tool to learn, reflect, and communicate.
• Write and speak in a variety of modes and forms appropriate to audience and purpose.
• Create and perfect CIM work samples of the Expository Speech and the Expository Essay.
• Learn from each other’s successes, challenges, and experiences.
• Have fun.

Whew! It seems like a lot, I know. Imagine if I had listed the dozens of different opportunities you will have to accomplish each of these goals. In general, though, these opportunities to demonstrate your skill, expertise, and improvement will fall into four major categories.

• Portfolio of formal written work such as essays, stories, poems, etc.
• Tests and Quizzes, both written and oral, on specific skills, concepts, and information.
• Projects that demonstrate applied textual and conceptual understanding
• Homework and Participation: in class assignments and essentially just keeping up

Your performance and improvement in each of these categories will be judged separately and then added together with equal weight (25% each) to comprise your final grade for this course.