Short Stories
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Spring 2020 Schedule: CLICK HERE
Course Description This course is designed to expose students to close readings in the original American literary form: the short story. We will begin in the first quarter with Edgar Allen Poe, and proceed through the various periods (Romanticism, Naturalism, etc.) to the modern day. In the second quarter we will explore various story genres such as ghost stories and fantasy and speculative fiction. We will also explore the global impact of the form by reading selections from world literature.
Materials Needed Students need to bring with them each day the current text or texts, a blue or black ink pen, a composition notebook (provided), and loose-leaf.
Grading Policy Students are encouraged to meet with me before or after school if they are interested in their progress. Assignments are weighted accordingly:
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Quarter 1 (3) |
Quarter 2 (4) |
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25 |
30 |
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Quizzes (weekly) |
40 |
Quizzes (weekly) |
50 |
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Exams (weeks four and eight) |
20 |
Notebook Check |
20 |
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Notebook Check |
15 |
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Final Exam (to be given during the last three regular class sessions): 1/3 of course grade
Late Work Please be on time with all assignments. Crises do happen, however, so I do accept occasional late work with a point reduction of 10% per day, taken off the top of the grade earned, to a maximum of 50%. Abuse of this generosity will result in revocation of an individual’s privilege in the matter of late work. No late work will be accepted after the marking period’s end.
Readings Students should take copious notes on each story, as the use of handwritten notes is permitted on all of the quizzes, though not the tests. I have included a note-taking template on the next page as a suggestion. The notebook will be checked and assessed for development, organization, and neatness.
Conduct Code Be present and on time to class; we move at a rigorous pace and it’s easy to fall behind. Be punctual and adhere to due dates. Be prepared by having read the current text and bring it to class with pen, notebook, and loose-leaf. Be polite by waiting to be acknowledged before speaking, and respecting the input of others. Be productive and work to your best ability. Be positive; though it is hoped that you’ll enjoy the selections, you won’t love every story assigned. It is still important to look at a story from a critical eye; if you feel the story is awful, be prepared to elaborate as to why.