SENIOR ENGLISH SYLLABUS
Instructor: Adele Mazurek Suslick <asuslick@uni.uiuc.edu>
Meetings by appointment
Welcome! I believe that each of us can make a positive difference when it comes to implementing change. The trick is determining the best changes to make. This is where the study of advanced research methods, world literature, and debate comes together in a meaningful way. Senior English will hone your critical thinking skills and help you present ideas in a logical and clear manner. Specifically, you will become proficient at delivering persuasive arguments in both speech and writing.
Your choice of debate topic will determine the specific statistical, technical, and legal sources that you will read throughout the year. Regardless of topic, however, you will be working with primary and secondary sources in both electronic and paper format.
This year’s literary selections present a number of classic issues that you will pursue further in argumentative essays and debate presentations. You will read All the King’s Men, Beloved, Siddhartha, The Joy Luck Club, and Hamlet in order to consider such key issues such as:
What is appropriate and inappropriate behavior?
What are the individual’s responsibilities to the community?
What are the community’s responsibilities to the individual?
What values should a community uphold?
What is the purpose of government?
What is the most effective way of governing?
Answers, of course, will vary based on personal beliefs and values, but all will be logical and grounded on evidence.
Classroom Expectations
So that learning occurs comfortably and efficiently, I expect the following classroom behavior. Please:
Be seated at your desk when the bell rings.
Do not bring food to class.
Complete all assignments on time.
Listen attentively to others.
Use respectful language.
Answer honestly.
Bring English textbooks, your calendar, lined paper, and a black pen to class
everyday.
Ask an English buddy about any assignments you may have missed while absent, and
then see me if you have questions.
You will complete a number of major projects each quarter, including written essays and speeches. I assign points to all classwork and determine grades based upon the following percentage averages:
5 = 90-100
4 = 80-89
3 = 70-79
2 = 60-69
1 = 0-59
Work that is handed in late will lose 10% credit per day late.
The following schedule indicates how this course is structured. I will provide specific assignments on a weekly basis.
First Quarter:
Rhetoric:
The Nature of Persuasion
The Difference Between Reporting and Argumentation
The Three Appeals: Ethical, Emotional, Logical
Debate Topic Selection
Formulating the Debate Resolution
Generating Issues
Research Methods:
MLA Bibliographic Format
MLA Format for Internal Citations
Composition:
Argumentative Essays
Literary Essays
Journal Entries (re. Debate Topic)
Speech:
Expository Presentation
Impromptu
Literature:
All the King’s Men
The Prince
Locke's Second Treatise on a Civil Society
Congressional Quarterly Researcher
Readings based upon debate topics
Second Quarter:
Rhetoric:
Research Methods:
Composition:
Speech:
Literature:
Third Quarter:
Rhetoric:
Composition:
Speech:
Literature:
Fourth Quarter:
Rhetoric:
Research Methods:
Composition:
Speech:
Final Debate Presentation
Literature:
DEBATES TRADITIONALLY OCCUR DURING THE LAST WEEK OF APRIL AND THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY. Remember that they are open to family and friends as well as those from Uni and the surrounding community.