Course Syllabus

2020 - 2021 Syllabus

Faculty

Section Teacher
2ALG2 Ms. J. Torry
4HLG2 Ms. A. Kennedy
5HLG1 Ms. G. Kaur Bhasin
3ALG2 Ms. C. Woodruff

Contacting Me

As the teacher for this course, I can be contacted in the following ways:

  • Name: Ms. Geetika Kaur
  • Office: 230A
  • Email: gkaur@stgeorges.bc.ca

I am available for contact during these times: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM and 5:00-6:00 via email. I will work to respond to any emails and voicemails within 24 hours during the school week and within 48 hours on the weekends.

Course Description

Composition 11 gives students the opportunity to analyze literature and writing from the lens of an author to better understand a writer’s choices and their impact on a reader/audience. By examining a range of genres, students will hone their analysis skills to gain insight into the structure and purpose of these genres as a tool for communication; furthermore, students will learn stylistic and structural techniques from these texts that they can apply in their own writing. Through our studies, students will develop a deeper appreciation for all forms of writing while gaining proficiency in analysis and synthesis of texts and application of literary and stylistics elements in their writing.

Course Expectations

St. George’s School expects all students at the Senior School to be interested and motivated in achieving their personal best while at the School. We expect students will be engaged in their endeavours, responsible to their studies, classmates and teachers, and demonstrate integrity in their pursuit of learning.

Workload

Students are expected to participate in class discussions and learning activities. Students will not have large amounts of homework but will have take-home tasks to prepare for the next class or finish an assignment that we started in class.

Submitting work

Teachers will provide opportunities, when appropriate, for students to submit work via their class Canvas page. Students will be expected to use Assignments, Quizzes, Discussions, and Modules on Canvas to complete assignments and discuss with their peers. Students may also use FlipGrid to share ideas, give feedback, and review books. 

Students are expected to submit assignments prior to the deadline set. Teachers will specify how the assignment should be submitted (on Canvas, on paper, etc.). If students are unable to complete an assignment on time or will be absent on the day of the assessment, they must communicate with their teacher before the missed class or deadline.

Instructional Aims

Based on the B.C. Ministry of Education curriculum, students will learn through the following experiences:

  • Read for enjoyment and to achieve personal goals
  • Construct meaningful personal connections between self, text, and world
  • Transform ideas and information to create original texts, using various genres forms, structures, and styles
  • Use metacognitive strategies to think about our own thinking, strengths, and weaknesses
  • Demonstrate a multimedia, formal speech, discussion, and performance presentation

Learning Outcomes

Based on the B.C. Ministry of Education curriculum, students will learn and be evaluated on the following knowledge and skills:

  • Evaluate* the relevance (using credibility and significance of purpose) and reliability (using bias, propaganda, and excluded voices) of texts 
  • Analyze a text based on its purpose (audience and theme), structures (organization), features (diagrams, maps, charts), and literary elements
  • Analyze the social and/or cultural values and perspectives that are communicated through the author’s use of language
  • Analyze multiple texts to justify a nuanced, unifying theme
  • Demonstrate strategic speaking skills (volume, pace, inflection, and emphasis) for the appropriate text
  • Demonstrate strategic body language skills (gestures, stance, movements, eye contact) for the appropriate task
  • Effectively use rhetoric, literary devices, style (implicit or explicit thesis), and descriptive language to craft a composition appropriate for its purpose
  • Create effective, informative written work by using conciseness of language, logical development of ideas, use of transitions, and development of thesis
  • Communicate a clear opinion support with specific evidence in a given style
  • Use the conventions of Canadian spelling, grammar, and punctuation correctly given the context
  • Use diction (connotation, verb choice) and syntax (parallelism, modifiers, sentence types) according to communication style and audience
  • Correctly cite sources of information using MLA style for both in-text and Works Cited citations

*Evaluate: to present and defend opinions

Assessment and Evaluation

A student's final mark will be determined by evaluation of their ability to demonstrate proficiency in these skills and learning these concepts.

Major assessments for this course include:

  • summer reading essay and presentation 
  • perspectives assignment
  • media review
  • dystopian narrative
  • writer's portfolio

We anticipate adjustments may be made throughout the year due to the extenuating circumstances we are facing. Any adjustments will be posted here and discussed as a class.

Both the school’s assessment expectations and supports that teachers provide can be found online. Academic dishonesty to any degree is not acceptable.

There are a variety of academic supports available at St. George’s for students. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the range of supports available to them which include:

  • Faculty support
  • 5th Block
  • Head of Grade
  • Student Success Centre
  • Personal Counselling

First Peoples Principles

We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are honoured to live, work, and play on this land together.

As part of contribution to reconciliation, this course makes First Peoples Principles of Learning visible in class by:

  • Learning is holistic, reflexive, reflective, experiential, and relational (focused on connectedness, on reciprocal relationships, and a sense of place).
  • Learning is embedded in memory, history, and story.
  • Learning involves recognizing that some knowledge is sacred and only shared with permission and/or in certain situations.

Literacy/Numeracy

In this course, students will be expected to read, write, speak, listen, create, and more. Because this is a composition course, students will be expected to write regularly, even daily, and to read to grow their understanding. On a daily basis, students will be expected to communicate using oral, visual, and written forms, and they will be expected to read/view/listen to comprehend, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate ideas. These skills will be practiced in both informal and formal settings.

Learning Resources

Resources that will be used as part of this course include:

  • Summer Reading novels 
  • short texts (e.g. articles, poems, short stories) will be provided by the teacher 
  •  media texts (e.g. campaign advertisements, short films, television episodes, podcasts) will be provided by the teacher

Extension Resources

Helpful resources that students can use to extend their learning in this course will be included on the weekly summaries as well as available upon request.

Canvas Information

Canvas is where course content, grades, and communication will reside for this course.

St. George's School Student Code of Conduct

St. George’s School shares a proud tradition as a learning community committed to both academic excellence and character development. We strive for growth within our personal lives while maintaining respect for and contributions to the broader community.

The purpose of the Student Code of Conduct is to ensure that

  1. A safe, caring, and productive teaching and learning environment exists.
  2. We maintain appropriate balances among individual and collective interests and responsibilities.
  3. There is clarity around standards and expected student behaviour at school, in the community, and online through social media.
  4. We encourage and practice environmental stewardship.

The core values which provide the foundation for the Student Code of Conduct are:

  • Empathy
  • Humility
  • Integrity
  • Respect
  • Responsibility
  • Resilience

Conduct Expectations

  1. I commit myself to strive for honourable behaviour in my daily life, according to the standards as set forth by the School. I will try to be faithful to my parents, my School, my friends, and myself.
  2. I will avoid bringing any ill-repute to the School at any time, including evenings, weekends, or over any school break or holiday.
  3. I will comply with all school policies as they relate to upholding the standard of excellence of St. George’s School at all times.
  4. I understand, accept, and will respect all of my school-related commitments and responsibilities.
    • I will arrive to school on time and attend all classes, assemblies, practices, rehearsals, and field trips as outlined by my teachers.
    • I will obtain necessary permission to leave class or school.
  5. I will take pride in my personal appearance.
    • I will be dressed appropriately at all times for all events as outlined by the School.
    • I will abide by the grooming rules as outlined in the Standards of Dress and Appearance section and always observe the accepted standards of personal hygiene.
  6. I will behave in a way that always brings credit to the School, with integrity, empathy, respect, and humility.
    • I recognize that the taking of tests and exams requires an exemplary standard of honesty and will not misrepresent myself by cheating, copying, or plagiarizing.
    • I recognize that integrity is a clear expectation and that borrowing of possessions of others without their consent is stealing.
    • I will care for all property, whether it is public or a peer’s personal possessions.
    • I will avoid disruptive behaviour at all times, and will strive to treat all others with great respect.
    • I will adhere to the School’s policies regarding the appropriate use of technology, including online communication, electronic devices, and the internet.
    • I will avoid any possession, use, or distribution of alcohol, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cannabis and illicit drugs or related paraphernalia, weapons, replica weapons, or any other dangerous or illegal items or substances.
  7. I will demonstrate responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices.

Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship. It is the commitment and obligation of all students, faculty, parents/guardians, and administration to ensure that all academic work stems from the student’s own efforts. Academic Dishonesty erodes the ethical climate of honesty, respect, responsibility, fairness, and trust in our school community. At St. George's School, Academic Dishonesty to any degree is not acceptable. In addition to any other consequence, students found to have engaged in Academic Dishonesty shall not receive a mark for work that is the result of Academic Dishonesty.

Academic Dishonesty includes any conduct with the intent to gain an unfair advantage in connection with an academic assessment. Academic Dishonesty can occur in many ways. Common forms of Academic Dishonesty include, but are not limited to, cheating, falsification, plagiarism, and tampering.

  • Cheating occurs when an individual undermines the integrity of an assessment (including homework and other assignments, reports, projects, quizzes, tests, exams, or other forms of performance evaluations). Examples of cheating include:
    • Copying any part of an assessment;
    • Allowing others to copy any part of an assessment;
    • Improperly giving or receiving assessment information;
    • Using unauthorized resources for or during an assessment;
    • Submission of the same assessment more than once; and/or
    • Skipping classes to avoid an assessment.
  • Falsification: occurs when an individual has changed information in order to make one believe something that is not true. Examples of falsification include: 
    • Falsifying research findings, whether in laboratory experiments, field trip exercises, or other assignments;
    • Alteration or falsification of academic reports or other academic records for any purpose;
    • Submission of false credentials;
    • Making false representation on an application for admission; and/or
    • Requesting the extension of a deadline or delaying the taking or sitting of an assessment citing reasons known to be false, including submitting false documentation supporting that request.
  • Plagiarism: occurs when an individual submits or presents the work and/or idea of another person as his or her own, in essence lying. This includes the copying of images, sound, video, and other forms of intellectual property. Examples of plagiarism include:
    • Lack of recognition given to the original author for phrases, sentences, and ideas of the author incorporated in a paper or project; and/or
    • A portion of a document is copied from an author, or composed by another person, and presented as original work of the student.
  • Tampering occurs when individual has interfered with information for the purpose of academic gain. Examples of tampering include:
    • Unauthorized access to, use of, or alteration of computer data and information;
    • Gaining academic advantage by using technology that inhibits the use of the resources by others;
    • Damage to or destruction of library or laboratory resources; and/or
    • Willful or negligent damage to the academic work of a fellow student and/or teacher.

Academic Supports

There are a variety of academic supports available at St. George’s for students. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the range of supports available to them which include:

  • Faculty support
  • 5th Block
  • Head of Grade
  • Student Success Centre
  • Personal Counselling

Bullying

St. George’s School does not tolerate bullying. Students are prohibited from bullying.

Bullying is conduct that is unwelcome to others, including other students and faculty members. This includes conduct which a reasonable person knows, or ought reasonably to know, is unwelcome to the recipient. Unwanted physical contact, verbal abuse and threats, unwelcome remarks including jokes, innuendo, or taunting (in verbal, written or digital form) about a person’s body, race, gender, attire, (perceived) sexual orientation, or religion are all forms of bullying. Other examples of bullying may include but are not limited to:

  • Physical violence such as hitting, pushing or spitting at another student;
  • Interfering with another student’s property, such as by stealing, hiding, or damaging it;
  • Using offensive names when addressing another student;
  • Teasing or spreading rumours about another student or their family;
  • Belittling another student’s abilities and achievements;
  • Writing offensive notes or graffiti about another student;
  • Unreasonably excluding another student from a group activity;
  • Ridiculing another student’s appearance, way of speaking or mannerisms; and/or
  • Misusing technology (internet or mobiles) to hurt, intimidate, embarrass, or humiliate another person.

Anyone who is the target of bullies is encouraged to report the bullying and not to suffer in silence. Speaking out and reporting bullying ensures the School can appropriately address the bullying and may help prevent other students from future bullying.

Students are required to:

  • Refrain from engaging in any kind of bullying;
  • Intervene to help support any student who is being bullied, unless it is unsafe to do so; and
  • Report to a member of faculty, staff, or administration any witnessed or suspected instances of bullying.

 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due