AP Literature & Composition

English 12
Survey of British & World Literature

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Students,

Welcome to the start of a new school year! North Clarion is proud to offer its first ever AP
Literature & Composition course this year. Please review the attached syllabus to gain an overview of the
course. Throughout the school year, if you or your child have questions or concerns about the class,
assignments, grades, or other issues, please let me know as soon as possible using the following contact
information so that I may assist you:

 LClarkeGeorge@nccsd.org
o Email is the fastest way to get a response, as I generally check my school email
several times during the school day and at least once in the evening.

 (814) 744-8544 – High School Office

o It may take me a bit longer to receive a message left via phone, but I will still be sure
to respond.

 Extra Help: I am available to provide extra help to students outside of class. To ensure
that I am available, students can schedule ahead to meet with me at any of the following
times:
o Before school
o During homeroom (as long as I do not have another duty that morning)
o During Period 4 (my planning period)
o During first lunch (before I leave to teach at the elementary school in the afternoon)
o After school

 MrsClarkeGeorge@weebly.com
o Click on the “AP English 12” tab on my website for course information.
o Please note that I will be adding resources and features to this website throughout
the year.

 www.PearsonRealize.com
o This is the access point for the online version of the student textbook – students will
receive login information soon.

***Please fill out and sign the last page of this packet reflecting that you have reviewed the syllabus (note
that syllabus is subject to change in response to time constraints and/or the needs of the class). Feel free
to contact me with any questions or concerns you have. Thank you!

Mrs. Clarke George

Course Description
AP English 12* – (5 periods/week – 2 semesters, 1 credit) (Weighted)
Advanced Placement (AP) English 12 consists of a full high school academic year of work that is
comparable to literature courses in colleges and universities. An objective of the course is to become
adequately prepared for the AP English Literature and Composition Exam in May. Critical reading and
writing skills will be emphasized through extensive literary analysis. This course includes a survey of British
literature from 449 to the present day along with several connections to world literature. Also included are
research papers and compositions. Supplemental texts may include Beowulf and Macbeth along with other
selections of poetry, drama, and fiction.

Overview of Units
Unit 1: Forging a Hero: Ancient Literature + Beowulf
Unit 2: Reflecting on Society: Medieval Literature + The Canterbury Tales
Unit 3: Facing the Future, Confronting the Past: Renaissance Literature + Macbeth
Unit 4: Seeing Things New: Literature of the Enlightenment + Poetry & Satire
Unit 5: Discovering the Self: Literature of Romanticism & of the Victorian Era + Jane Eyre
Unit 6: Finding a Home: Modern Literature + 1984 & Brave New World

AP Program General Information

The AP program and exams are run by the College Board, the same organization that runs the
SAT/PSAT exams. The College Board is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to preparing high
school students for success in college. AP classes in high school are designed to provide college-level
coursework as well as to help students pass AP Exams in order to prove proficiency in these courses. Many
local high schools already offer a number of AP courses. North Clarion already offers AP Calculus, and in
2018, the district added AP Biology and AP English Literature and Composition.

Many colleges offer college credit and/or advanced placement (being able to skip out of an
introductory class) for passing scores on AP exams. Check with the colleges and universities that you are
interested in for up-to-date details on their specific policies regarding AP. As an example, the list below
details benefits that Clarion University offers for scores of 3, 4, or 5 on AP exams. Even if you decide not to
take the exam or do not receive a high score on the exam, taking AP courses shows colleges that you are
taking on challenging academic coursework while in high school. As an example, the Clarion University AP
policy is listed below:

With AP CREDIT at Clarion University, you:

• have an advantage in admissions selection
• can receive instant college-level academic credit
• are free to select other interesting subjects rather than a required course
already mastered in high school
• are a good candidate for Clarion’s Honors Program and accelerate your
undergraduate degree program, saving time and money for graduate school or
other career plans

The 2019 AP Literature & Composition Exam test date is May 8.

Students will learn particulars about the exam, including test structure and strategies, as part of this course.
Summer Reading

 Refer to the summer reading document provided on Mrs. Barron’s website or the school district’s webpage.
 Test dates will be given during the first week of school. Each test may be taken only once.

Expectations

 Students are expected to be seated before the late bell rings.

 Students are expected to be respectful towards individuals both inside and outside of the classroom.
 Students are required to bring all necessary materials (textbook, notebook or binder, folder with any handouts,
homework, writing utensil, class novel or AR book).
 Cell phones are not to be out or ringing during class.
 The following heading belongs in the top LEFT of all of your assignments unless MLA formatting is required:
Name
Assignment page number and/or description
Due Date
 Please type your assignments or complete them neatly on notebook paper using blue or black ink or pencil.
 Do not throw out any notes, handouts, assignments, etc. unless directed to do so (you may be asked to file them
at the end of the unit to refer to in a later unit).
 Any work that is not appropriate for the classroom setting (i.e.: vulgar, insulting, unacceptable subject matter,
etc.) will receive a zero and could result in disciplinary action.

Chromebooks

Each English classroom is receiving its own Chromebook cart this year! Whoohoo! This is a big investment that
benefits you AND future students, so we need to take good care of them:
o For this reason, we need to keep food and any drinks other than water out of the classroom (unless you
receive special permission). Gum is allowed unless it becomes a problem.
o You will be assigned a Chromebook to use WHEN DIRECTED by me for classwork – follow proper
procedures for getting it out and putting it away.
o Any student who is not using the Chromebook responsibly (off-task, damaging it, etc.) will no longer be
able to use the Chromebook and will need to complete all assignments by hand.
o Keep your online files organized, just as you would your physical notebook.

Grading
 You are responsible for your grade. If you are having trouble and need extra help with the material, don’t wait
until the last minute -- contact me as soon as possible.
 Late work will drop by one letter grade for major assignments. Late homework will not be accepted, however,
you should still complete the work.
 Absentee Policy: You are responsible for making up all work. If you were absent one day, work is due the day
after you return to class. If you were absent multiple days in a row, work is due the number of days you were out
+1 after you return (out 3 days = 4 days to make up).
 When required, papers must adhere to Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines.
 The English Department Plagiarism Policy will be enforced.
 You will not have a final exam in the class. Results from the AP Literature & Composition Exam will not be
available until the summer, and so will not be factored into your grade for this course.
 Each quarter, you will begin with 25 work ethic/class participation points. You must participate actively in class
discussions in order to receive all of these points. Deductions could result from lack of participation, being late
to class, being off-task, lack of cooperation, disruptions, or lack of preparation.
 POTENTIAL EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT

OVERVIEW
Students have the opportunity to read Accelerated Reader books in order to obtain bonus points during EACH QUARTER
of English this year.

BOOK SELECTION
1. Do NOT choose anything you’ve read before. If you’ve already taken an Accelerated Reader test on a selection, you
MAY NOT take it again.

2. Selections must be generally accepted college/AP reading and/or APPROVED by Mrs. Clarke George BEFORE
beginning to read. Please refer to Mrs. Barron’s website for a list.

3. NO PRIOR APPROVAL = NO BONUS POINTS!

SCORING PROCEDURES
1. A maximum of 10 points may be awarded per quarter for each Accelerated Reader test that a student passes. If
fewer than 10 points are earned, a student may read another book and take another test. Bonus for each test
passed will accumulate until 10 points have been earned.

2. Whatever percentage the student receives on the Accelerated Reader reading comprehension tests will be
calculated out of a maximum 10 points.

Example: Total score for test= 17/20 (85%)

Score in gradebook= 8.5/10 (85%)

*This student may read another book and take AND pass another test in order to gain 1.5 more points.

3. If a student fails, no points will be awarded.

4. Points may not carry over from one quarter to the next.

5. Quarter grades may NOT exceed 100%.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURES
1. All Accelerated Reader tests results must be submitted to Mrs. Clarke George at least one week prior to the last
day of the quarter.

2. Deadlines will be posted in the classroom.

3. Points will NOT be given for late work. Please refer to your course outline for guidelines regarding absenteeism.
 AP English 12 – Signature Page for Course Syllabus
*Please sign below to indicate that you have read this document.

Student Name (Please Print): ____________________________________________________

Student Signature: ________________________________________________________

Parent / Guardian Name (Please Print): ___________________________________________________

What is the best way to contact you?

Please circle your preference and write the contact information for that method underneath. Thank you!

Email Cell Phone Home Phone

______________________________________ _________________ _________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________________________