Overview

Introduction

An AP course in English Language and Composition engages students in becoming skilled readers of prose written in a variety of rhetorical contexts, and in becoming skilled writers who compose for a variety of purposes. Both their writing and their reading should make students aware of the interactions among a writer’s purposes, audience expectations, and subjects, as well as the way genre conventions and the resources of language contribute to effectiveness in writing

As in the college course, the purpose of the AP English Language and Composition course is to enable students to read complex texts with understanding and to write prose of sufficient richness and complexity to communicate effectively with mature readers. An AP English Language and Composition course should help students move beyond such programmatic responses as the five-paragraph essay that provides an introduction with a thesis and three reasons, body paragraphs on each reason, and a conclusion that restates the thesis. Although such formulaic approaches may provide minimal organization, they often encourage unnecessary repetition and fail to engage the reader. Students should be encouraged to place their emphasis on content, purpose and audience and to allow this focus to guide the organization of their writing.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Course Syllabus


Bronx Leadership Academy II
Advanced Placement Language & Composition Course Syllabus

Teacher:                     Ms. Lambert                                                                           Room 210
                                   elambert@bla2hs.org
Class Blog site:           http://lambertap.blogspot.com/

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)
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