Course Syllabus

Jump to Today

Syllabus AP English Literature & Composition (First Semester)

Welcome

There are years that ask questions, and years that answer.
–Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God

Questions and answers will be the heart of our work together this year in AP Lit. We will read stories, poems, plays, and books that raise some of life's most important questions. You may find meaningful answers to some of those questions. You also may find that those answers often lead to even more questions!

In this class, we will pursue those questions vigorously, and we will think deeply about how storytellers capture and shape our understanding of the human experience.

At its core, literature is simply the stories we tell. But literature itself is not simple. It is rich and complex. It is diverse. It is as uniquely distinct as each human who writes it and each human who reads it. And that certainly makes it worthy of our time, exploration, study, and conversation, which is what this course is all about!

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! 

Course Description

Semester Framework: 

  • AP Lit follows a set 16-week semester calendar. 
  • Coursework for the fall term begins in late August and closes in December. See the Course Calendar for more details.
  • Expect to meet all class participation and assessment deadlines and to complete the course by the semester closing date. 

Lesson Structure: 

  • The fall semester consists of 10 Lessons. Each lesson is a complete unit of study.
  • Modules within each lesson break down the instructional commentary, reading selections, and essential concepts and skills practice that will help you build toward the lesson assessments.
  • The suggested pacing guides that begin each lesson identify which modules are designed to be completed in one "sitting" or class period.
  • The stated learning objectives of each lesson identify the skills that will be evaluated in that lesson's assessments.

Lesson Assessments: 

  • You will submit three assessments in each lesson: 
    • one class discussion.
    • one quiz (multiple choice)
    • one writing assignment

Cumulative Assessments:

  • You will complete one cumulative assessment midway through the semester and two cumulative assessments at the end of the semester.
    • midterm exam (proctored)—covers Lessons 1-5
    • final exam (proctored)—covers Lessons 6-10
    • semester project (unproctored)—covers Lessons 1-10

AP - Pacing and Work Flow

This 16-week semester course has been designed so that--on average--you will be completing about one lesson each week, with additional time allotted for exams and special projects.

Plan to devote about one hour each weekday to this class, just as you would for one class period in a physical school building, plus some extra “homework” time for bigger assignments as needed.

Unlike other asynchronous courses you may have taken online, AP semester courses have due dates and deadlines that you will need to follow. Pay close attention to the course calendar and establish a routine early that works best for you. Then, pace yourself by setting targeted, attainable, and manageable goals each day. Planning ahead, balance, and routine will be your best friends!

AP - Participation 

Participation in online discussions (e.g., discussion forums, chats, group projects, and/or instructor conferences) is expected and will factor into your overall course grade.

All online discussions described in course lesson pages are required unless your instructor notes otherwise. Your instructor may also arrange additional required chats or instructor conferences. Be sure to regularly check the course calendar and announcements from your instructor regarding upcoming discussions and requirements.

Your participation in required online discussions will be evaluated on criteria such as frequency, timeliness, thoughtfulness and effort, and overall contribution to the knowledge base and learning experience of your classmates. You are also expected to monitor and respond to posts on discussion threads that you have started or have previously contributed to; you should not simply make a post and consider the discussion “done,” because it should be an ongoing conversation with your peers and/or instructor.

Postings that begin new discussion forum threads will be reviewed based on their relevance, demonstrated understanding of course concepts, examples cited, and overall quality. Postings that respond to other students’ posts will be evaluated based on relevance, the degree to which they extend discussions, and tone. This may entail asking a question or comparing and/or contrasting your classmate’s post with your own.

In order to earn full credit for discussion forum participation, your posts and responses must be substantive. In other words, you will not earn credit for just replying "Good post" or "I agree" to a classmate.

AP - Late Work and Absences

Work must be turned in on time for full credit. If you are unable to complete an assignment on time, contact your instructor immediately. Prior permission from the online course instructor must be obtained for special circumstances to receive credit for late work. These decisions will be made on an individual basis.

You must notify your instructor if you expect to be offline for more than 1 week.

Course Expectations 

Engagement and communication will be key to your success in this course.

Expectations include:

  • Check course announcements each Monday morning for important updates from your instructor.
  • Check your email and Canvas inboxes regularly and respond promptly to communications from Mizzou Academy and from your instructor.
  • Plan to devote about one hour to this class each weekday, just as you would if you were attending a class in your schoolbuilding. On average, allow one full week (5-6 clock hours) to complete all instructional modules within a lesson.
  • Meet deadlines for all class discussions, writing assignments, project work, and exams.
  • Review feedback and scoring comments on all graded assignments and exams. 
  • Schedule exams in advance. 
  • Ask questions! We are here to help.  

AP courses are demanding. Expect to devote consistent time and effort in order to make this course both personally and academically rewarding. But remember: You are not alone! Connect with your peers and your instructor in the spirit of conversation and collaboration. You are each other’s best resources for knowledge, skills support, and community. As we always say at Mizzou Academy: “Here, we are for each other.”

Course Essential Questions


Why is storytelling so important?

What can we learn about ourselves by analyzing the heroes from our stories?

Course Overview

Lesson

Objectives

Quiz

Assignment

1: Coming of Age
  1. Explain the literary concept of a universal truth. 
  2. Identify the signature features of an initiation story.
  3. Summarize key characters, conflicts, events, and themes in selected initiation stories.
  4. Use designated vocabulary words correctly in your own writing.
  5. Define the following literary terms: narrator, imagery, metaphor, epiphany, rite of passage, symbol, situational irony.
  6. Analyze the impact and effect of literary elements within selected initiation stories.

Lesson 1 Quiz (20 MC questions, 1 point each)

Lesson 1: Class Discussion Assignments

Lesson 1 Writing Assignment - Initiation Story (Rough Draft)

2: Narrative Writing
  1. Recognize the features that distinguish narrative writing from expository writing.
  2. Demonstrate through original narrative writing the literary techniques of imagery, metaphor, symbol, and situational irony.
  3. Demonstrate through original narrative writing the thematic concepts of epiphany and rite of passage. 
  4. Demonstrate control over parts of speech and basic syntax to craft your narrative voice with intention.

Lesson 2 Quiz (20 MC questions, 1 point each)

Lesson 2 Class Discussion Assignments

Lesson 2 Writing Assignment: Initiation Story (Second Draft)

3: Initiation in (and Through) Poetry
  1. Apply concrete strategies for reading and interpreting a poem.
  2. Define, recognize, and analyze the use of designated literary devices.
  3. Explain central themes and effects in the four selected poems 
  4. Use phrases and subordinate clauses correctly and with intention to vary syntax
  5. Write confidently about poetry in response to an AP Exam Practice Essay: Question 1 Poetry Analysis 

Lesson 3 Quiz (20 MC questions, 1 point each)

Lesson 3: Class Discussion Assignments

Lesson 3 Assignment: Poem Analysis

4: Narrative Elements: Plot and Point of View
  1. Define and apply the literary elements of plot and point of view in the short story genre.
  2. Recognize and analyze the purpose and effect of plot tropes and manipulations of narrative perspective.
  3. Use active reading strategies to engage purposefully and critically with literary text.
  4. Interpret and analyze key events, themes, and literary elements in the assigned short stories.
  5. Define and apply designated literary terms and devices.
  6. Demonstrate syntactical control through grammatical coordination.
  7. Write a complete and cohesive narrative analysis essay.

Lesson 4 Quiz (20 MC questions, 1 point each)

Lesson 4 - Class Discussion Assignments

Lesson 4 Assignment: Narrative Analysis Essay

5: Narrative Elements in Poetry
  1. Recognize, interpret, and analyze narrative elements in the poetic genre
  2. Recognize, interpret, and analyze figurative language and literary devices in poetry
  3. Interpret assigned poems using active reading strategies
  4. Use a deliberate variety of kinds of supporting evidence to develop analytical commentary
  5. Revise, edit, and polish an essay, applying what you’ve learned about thesis, evidence and commentary, and sophistication for AP Exam writing

Lesson 5 Quiz (20 MC questions, 1 point each)

Lesson 5 Class Discussion Assignments

Lesson 5 Writing Assignment: Re-vision, Revise, Refine

Midterm Exam (50 MC questions, 2 pts each and 2 Essay questions, 75 pts each)

6: Characterization in Short Fiction
  1. Recognize and analyze strategic methods of characterization. 
  2. Define and identify in context character types, based on their function within a story: protagonist, antagonist, major character, minor character, foil character, parallel character.
  3. Analyze the various arcs of character development for characters within a story.
  4. Demonstrate critical interpretation of key characters and their conflicts within the assigned short stories. 
  5. Define and use correctly the following sentence types: loose, periodic, balanced, cumulative, parallel structure, and contrast structure.
  6. Craft a thesis that demonstrates argument.

 

Lesson 6 Quiz (20 MC questions, 1 point each)

Lesson 6: Class Discussion Assignments

Lesson 6 Writing Assignment

7: Literary Traditions and the Tragic Hero
  1. Explain the features of tragedy in the literary tradition and the signature traits of a tragic hero. 
  2. Recognize and apply theatrical conventions and the signature features of Greek drama.
  3. Demonstrate critical interpretation of key characters, conflicts, events, and themes in Oedipus the King.
  4. Apply the purpose and structural framework of comparison/contrast analysis.
  5. Define, recognize, and demonstrate in use designated literary and theatrical terms and devices.

Lesson 7 Quiz (20 MC questions, 1 point each)

Lesson 7 Class Discussion Assignments

Lesson 7 Writing Assignment: Heroism Through the Ages

8: Setting and Context in Poetry
  1. Distinguish between a work’s setting and its context. 
  2. Explain the historical and cultural backdrop for each of the poems assigned and explain how context informs interpretation.
  3. Recognize the significance of both figurative and literal elements of a work’s physical setting.
  4. Demonstrate critical interpretation of essential themes and political or social commentary within the assigned poems. 
  5. Craft an effective concluding paragraph for an argument essay.
  6. Write a complete and cohesive literary argument essay in the style of Question 3 on the AP Exam.

Lesson 8 Quiz (20 MC questions, 1 point each)

Lesson 8 Class Discussion Assignments

Lesson 8 Assignment: Poetry Analysis Essay

9: Traditions in Literature - Satire
  1. Explain the purposes and signature elements of different kinds of satire. 
  2. Recognize and apply the relationship between intent and tone.
  3. Define rhetoric and analyze the persuasive techniques of logos, pathos, ethos, and counterargument.
  4. Analyze the satirical techniques and devices that shape meaning, tone, and effect in A Modest Proposal.
  5. Demonstrate critical interpretation of essential themes and political, social commentary in A Modest Proposal. 
  6. Apply strategies for crafting intentional voice in original writing.
  7. Apply the purpose and techniques of satirical writing to an original satire.

Lesson 9 Quiz (20 MC questions, 1 point each)

Lesson 9 Discussion Assignments

Lesson 9 Assignment: Original Satire

10: Integrated Analysis
  1. Apply to full-text literary analysis previous and current study of core literary elements: plot, point of view, characterization, setting, and tone. 
  2. Distinguish between tone and mood in a work of literature.
  3. Analyze the literary techniques and devices in the assigned poems.
  4. Demonstrate critical interpretation of essential themes and tone in the assigned poems. 
  5. Apply strategies for revising, editing, and polishing academic writing.

Lesson 10 Quiz (20 MC questions, 1 point each)

Lesson 10 Class Discussion Assignments

Lesson 10 Writing Assignment: Re-Vision

Final Exam (50 MC questions, 2 pts each and 2 Essay questions, 75 pts each)

 

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
Discussions 100
Lesson Assignments 410
Lesson Quizzes 200
Midterm Exam 250
Final Exam 250
Total 1110

 

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.

Materials

You will be required to procure a copy of the novel The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison from your local library, a retailer of your choosing, or your preferred eReader. Any edition of the novel is acceptable. 

Mature Content Warning
The Bluest Eye is a book for mature readers. It tackles issues of  racial and gender oppression, and it depicts scenes of domestic and sexual violence. Discretion is advised. Please contact your instructor if you have concerns.

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