Bronx Leadership Academy II
Advanced Placement Language & Composition Course Syllabus
Teacher: Ms.
Lambert Room
210
Office Hours: Mondays
3:30-4:30; Tuesdays & Fridays Lunch and by appointment
Course Description:
Citizen Rhetoric[1]:
This course serves as an introduction to college composition, attempting to
prepare students for the kind of reading and writing they will need to do in
college, in many jobs, and as citizens. The course focuses on the theme of how
students can use literacy to influence change.
By the end of the year, students will be able to synthesize
sources; utilize logical, emotional, and ethical appeals; and carefully choose
diction and syntax in order to answer the course’s essential questions.
Curriculum:
After an introduction to rhetoric, the course is organized
into thematic units, called conversations: education, politics, community, gender,
nature, and language. After the AP test in May, students will spend the
remainder of the year utilizing all the skills they’ve garnered over the year
to create their own documentary films.
In each unit, students will examine fiction, nonfiction,
poetry, and visuals in order to learn how to use and analyze rhetoric
effectively.
Generally, students will have a 1-3 page essay (in class or
take home) due each week and a 3-5 page essay or project due at the end of each
unit of study. Students will have nightly reading assessments. Students can
expect to have weekly grammar and vocabulary quizzes, as well.
Formatting and Academic Integrity:
Papers should be formatted as follows:
·
Typed
·
Double-spaced
·
12-point font
·
Times New Roman or Arial
·
1-inch margins
·
Paginated
All students should do their own work and cite their sources
using MLA or APA format. Students who fail to do this will be subject to severe
grade penalties. Plagiarism is a serious offense and could lead to expulsion
from most colleges and universities.
Professionalism:
Students are expected to adhere to BLA II’s mission and
rules, including the prohibited use of cell phones, iPods and other electronic
devices. Additionally, students are expected to dress professionally and in
accordance with the school’s dress code.
As this is a college preparation course, students are
expected to act professionally, arrive to class each day and on time and to
complete all assignments in a timely manner. Students must maintain a high
level of respect for themselves and their community, by maintaining a tolerant
and open mind.
Supplies:
·
Notebook or notebook-section dedicated to
English (reading, vocabulary, grammar & class notes)
·
Folder or binder (or binder section) for
organizing handouts
·
Folder or binder (or binder section) to house
returned work
·
A variety of writing utensils and USB flash
drive
·
Post-Its and highlighters
·
A Gmail account to access class blog
Grading:
In this class, we will be using the College Board AP Lang
& Comp rubric for grading in order to prepare students for both the test
and college. Grades of Highly Proficient (HP), Proficient (P), Approaching
Proficient (AP), and Not Yet (NY) will be awarded to students according to
their performance in and out of class.
The following super outcomes will be used for each unit
throughout the year:
Super Outcome: Homework
Your timely, neat and complete reading notes, responses and
annotations show an understanding of the central ideas of a text to provide a
complex analysis of text.
Super Outcome: Class Participation
You arrive
in a punctual and prepared manner such that you are able to present
information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct
perspective, so that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or
opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development,
substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of
formal and informal tasks.
Super Outcome: Multimedia/Projects
Gather relevant information from multiple sources (print, visual,
audio) and integrate information into the project selectively to maintain the
flow of ideas.
Super Outcome: Essays/Practice Exams
-Develop a position that identifies the key issues in the
prompt
-Effectively respond to and utilize the appropriate number
of sources
-Demonstrate control of language and style
-Demonstrate effective use of writing mechanics
[1]
Citizen: An inhabitant of a city or (often) of a town; esp. one possessing
civic rights and privileges.
Rhetoric: The art of using language so as to persuade
or influence others; the body of rules to be observed by a speaker or writer in
order that s/he may express himself [or herself] with eloquence. (Oxford English Dictionary)
