Course Syllabus

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Syllabus English 12A

Welcome

We are pleased that you selected this course to fulfill your unique educational needs. You are now a member of the Mizzou  Academy's global student body.  

Every lesson is designed to help you grow as a thinker, problem solver, and global learner. As a Mizzou Academy global student, you will complete lessons and assignments on your own schedule, interacting with course content, participating in interactives, and completing practice activities, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams.

To stay on track, we recommend using a pacing guide. You can find more information about pacing in the Course Resources section, along with helpful tools, technology support, and tips for online learning success.

As you begin, remember that online learning requires both independence and communication. Be curious, stay organized, and don’t hesitate to reach out to your teacher if you need support.

We’re excited to learn with you, and we’re happy you’re part of our Mizzou Academy community! 

Pacing

This course can be completed in as few as six weeks or take up to 6 months (180 calendar days). The six weeks are counted from the date of the first lesson submission and not the date of enrollment.

This course is asynchronous, meaning you can complete lessons and assignments at your own pace.

Most students spend approximately 10 hours per lesson interacting with course content, participating in interactive activities, and completing practice exercises, as well as drafting and revising assignments, preparing for quizzes and assessments, and taking exams. Your time may vary depending on your goals and learning style. 

We encourage you to work at a consistent pace, allowing time to absorb new ideas, build skills, and reflect on what you’ve learned. Use a pacing guide to plan ahead, stay organized, and finish strong. 

Course Description

12th grade English builds on everything you've learned in the past about reading and interpreting literature as well as language and writing.  In 12th grade, there is a major focus on British Literature.  In this first half of the course, we will follow the timeline from Anglo-Saxon literature with "Beowulf" all the way up to Shakespeare's "Macbeth."  We will spend a lot of time on active reading strategies for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and historical documents.  In the writing department, you will get regular opportunities to respond to readings and writing assignments will focus on analysis of the readings.

Upon the conclusion of this course, the students will be able to

  • Read, understand, and analyze various readings in British Literature including specific work on literary devices, theme, and meaning.
  • Write paragraphs and essays in response to prompts that show an understanding of readings, literary devices, and major themes.
  • Be able to answer questions regularly regarding the events in the readings, literary devices used, and the major themes within the readings.

Course Essential Questions


How have movements in American literature reflected changing philosophies of its society?

How can literature be an echo of the past and a mirror to the present at the same time?

Course Overview

Lesson

Objectives

Quiz

Assignment

1: The Old English Epic Hero

  • Explain how Beowulf demonstrates the features of an epic poem and an epic hero.

  • Define and recognize the use of the following literary terms: metaphor, foreshadowing, elegy, symbolism, alliteration and personification.

  • Summarize the storyline and the central themes in Beowulf.

  • Define and use correctly the vocabulary words from the poem Beowulf.

Lesson 1 Quiz (15 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

Lesson 1 Assignment: Beowulf Eulogy (75 Points)

2: The Exeter Book
  • Explain the basic history of Anglo Saxon poetry.
  • Summarize and answer reading comprehension questions for poetry.
  • Explain the main themes in several poems.
  • Define and use correctly the vocabulary words from the reading selections.

Lesson 2 Quiz (15 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

3: Chaucer and the Canterbury Tales
  • Analyze the characters from “The Prologue” of Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales.
  • Summarize the events and themes of “The Pardoner’s Tale.”
  • Explain the main theme or lesson in “The Pardoner’s Tale.”
  • Understand how the stories of The Canterbury Tales influenced modern stories such as Harry Potter.
  • Define and use correctly the vocabulary words from the reading selections.

Lesson 3 Quiz (15 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

Lesson 3 Assignment: Modern-Day Prologue (75 Points)

4: The Legend of King Arthur
  • Recognize and explain the aspects of medieval romance.
  • Understand how the King Arthur legend fits into British culture.
  • Explain what the Green Knight symbolizes.
  • Understand and recognize the main characteristics of chivalry.
  • Understand and explain how the themes of trust and betrayal fit into the King Arthur legend.
  • Define and use correctly the vocabulary words from the reading selections.

Lesson 4 Quiz (15 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

5: The Renaissance
  • Recognize major authors and works of the Renaissance.
  • Identify the characteristic features of Italian, English, and Spenserian sonnets.
  • Explain the features of the pastoral literary tradition.
  • Paraphrase the content and themes of the reading selections.
  • Define and recognize the use of the following literary terms and devices: sonnet, rhyme scheme, iambic pentameter, pastoral, paradox, and personification

Lesson 5 Quiz (15 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

Midterm Exam (50 MC Questions, 3 Points Each & Midterm Writing Assignment, 150 Points)

6: Macbeth: Act I
  • Identify the features and the dramatic conventions of Shakespearean theater.
  • Identify and understand the different types of dramatic speech.
  • Identify and recognize the different types of conflict in the play.
  • Understand the historical and social background that surrounds Macbeth.
  • Summarize the plot of Macbeth.
  • Characterize Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and analyze their transformation throughout the play.
  • Recognize major turning points in the play’s action.
  • Analyze the play’s central themes, such as destiny vs. freewill and ambition.
  • Identify and recognize different motifs in the play such as darkness, birds, visions, and prophecies.
  • Define and recognize the use of the following literary terms and devices: paradox, foil characters, dramatic irony, allusion, metaphor, rhyming couplets, personification, and tragic plot.
  • Define and use correctly the vocabulary words from the play.

Lesson 6 Quiz (15 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

Lesson 6 Assignment: Lady Macbeth's Powers of Persuasion (75 Points)

7: Macbeth: Act II
  • Identify the features and the dramatic conventions of Shakespearean theater.
  • Identify and understand the different types of dramatic speech.
  • Identify and recognize the different types of conflict in the play.
  • Understand the historical and social background that surrounds Macbeth.
  • Summarize the plot of Macbeth.
  • Characterize Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and analyze their transformation throughout the play.
  • Recognize major turning points in the play’s action.
  • Analyze the play’s central themes, such as destiny vs. freewill and ambition.
  • Identify and recognize different motifs in the play such as darkness, birds, visions, and prophecies.
  • Define and recognize the use of the following literary terms and devices: paradox, foil characters, dramatic irony, allusion, metaphor, rhyming couplets, personification, and tragic plot.
  • Define and use correctly the vocabulary words from the play.

Lesson 7 Quiz (15 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

8: Macbeth: Act III
  • Identify the features and the dramatic conventions of Shakespearean theater.
  • Identify and understand the different types of dramatic speech.
  • Identify and recognize the different types of conflict in the play.
  • Understand the historical and social background that surrounds Macbeth.
  • Summarize the plot of Macbeth.
  • Characterize Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and analyze their transformation throughout the play.
  • Recognize major turning points in the play’s action.
  • Analyze the play’s central themes, such as destiny vs. freewill and ambition.
  • Identify and recognize different motifs in the play such as darkness, birds, visions, and prophecies.
  • Define and recognize the use of the following literary terms and devices: paradox, foil characters, dramatic irony, allusion, metaphor, rhyming couplets, personification, and tragic plot.
  • Define and use correctly the vocabulary words from the play.

Lesson 8 Quiz (15 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

Lesson 8 Assignment: Imagery in Macbeth (75 Points)

9: Macbeth: Act IV
  • Identify the features and the dramatic conventions of Shakespearean theater.
  • Identify and understand the different types of dramatic speech.
  • Identify and recognize the different types of conflict in the play.
  • Understand the historical and social background that surrounds Macbeth.
  • Summarize the plot of Macbeth.
  • Characterize Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and analyze their transformation throughout the play.
  • Recognize major turning points in the play’s action.
  • Analyze the play’s central themes, such as destiny vs. freewill and ambition.
  • Identify and recognize different motifs in the play such as darkness, birds, visions, and prophecies.
  • Define and recognize the use of the following literary terms and devices: paradox, foil characters, dramatic irony, allusion, metaphor, rhyming couplets, personification, and tragic plot.
  • Define and use correctly the vocabulary words from the play.

Lesson 9 Quiz (15 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

10: Macbeth: Act V
  • Identify the features and the dramatic conventions of Shakespearean theater.
  • Identify and understand the different types of dramatic speech.
  • Identify and recognize the different types of conflict in the play.
  • Understand the historical and social background that surrounds Macbeth.
  • Summarize the plot of Macbeth.
  • Characterize Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and analyze their transformation throughout the play.
  • Recognize major turning points in the play’s action.
  • Analyze the play’s central themes, such as destiny vs. freewill and ambition.
  • Identify and recognize different motifs in the play such as darkness, birds, visions, and prophecies.
  • Define and recognize the use of the following literary terms and devices: paradox, foil characters, dramatic irony, allusion, metaphor, rhyming couplets, personification, and tragic plot.
  • Define and use correctly the vocabulary words from the play.

Lesson 10 Quiz (15 MC Questions, 1 Point Each)

No Assignment

Final Exam (50 MC Questions, 3 Points Each & Final Project, 150 Points)

 

Grades

Your final grade will be based on the number of points you earn on submitted work and exams. The available points are distributed as follows:

Source Available Points
Lesson Assignments 300
Lesson Quizzes 150
Midterm Exam 300
Final Exam 300
Total 1050

 

Textbook & Technology Requirements

To fully participate, make sure you have:

  • A computer that meets our Mizzou Academy technology requirements
  • A microphone and webcam for recording audio and video assignments
  • Any other required textbooks or materials for the course

Textbook

No textbook is required for this course. All reading materials are contained within the course content. 

Technology

The most up-to-date requirements can be found here: 

Additional requirements for the course are below: 

  • audio and video recording capabilities (e.g., smartphone, camera)

If you ever have trouble accessing course materials or recording tools, reach out to your teacher for support. We are here to help!

Accessibility

If you anticipate barriers related to the format or requirements of this course, please let Mizzou Academy know as soon as possible. If disability-related accommodations are necessary (for example, a scribe, reader, extended time on exams, captioning), please contact Mizzou Academy.

Canvas Technical Support

Canvas will be used as the primary platform for accessing course materials and assignments for this class.

Course Summary:

Course Summary
Date Details Due