AP/IB 12

Class Introduction:

IB/AP English 12 provides highly motivated students with opportunities for rigorous, in-depth analysis and interpretation of major literary works in a variety of genres: fiction prose (novels, short stories), drama, poetry, and nonfiction prose. The aims of this course are:

*introduce students to a range of texts from different periods, styles and genres
*develop in students the ability to engage in close, detailed analysis of individual texts and make relevant connections
*develop the students� powers of expression, both in oral and written communication
*encourage students to recognize the importance of contexts in which texts are written and received
*encourage, through the study of texts, an appreciation of the different perspectives of people from other cultures, and how these perspectives construct meaning
*encourage students to appreciate the formal, stylistic, and aesthetic qualities of texts
*promote in students an enjoyment of, and lifelong interest in, language and literature
*develop in students an understanding of the techniques involved in literary criticism
*develop the students� ability to form independent literary judgments and to support those ideas

COURSE SYLLABUS:
Detailed Study: 1st Semester
Hamlet (William Shakespeare)
The poems of Carol Ann Duffy
Slouching Towards Bethlehem (Joan Didion)*
*[Students need to provide their own copy]

Detailed Study Assessment (Internally assessed, externally moderated)
The IB assessment for 1st semester will be the Individual Oral Commentary and Discussion.
Chosen from 3 works (one of which MUST be poetry). After a 20-minute preparation period, candidates will do an oral commentary on the poet studied in depth (10 minutes) followed by a discussion with the teacher on ONE of the remaining two works (10 minutes). TOTAL: 20 minutes.

Literary Genre Study: 2nd Semester (4 of the following texts subject to change):
Beloved (Toni Morrison)
Purple Hibiscus (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)
The Awakening (Kate Chopin)
As I Lay Dying (William Faulkner)

Literary Genres (External Assessment)
The IB assessment for this unit will be two IB exams.
Paper 1 (�unseen� commentary on a poem or prose passage)
Paper 2 (exam comparing and contrasting TWO works; 2 hours; select from 4 works)
AP students will likewise be prepared to take one AP exam (Literature and Composition).