St.

Joseph High School Syllabus: English III

Teacher: Mr. Matarazzo

Department: English

Email: cmatarazzo@stjoek12.org

Course Objective:
This course follows a chronological path through American literature. Students will, through the
study of literature from the oral tradition of Native Americans up through the present, come to a
personal concept of what it means to be American in a country filled with so much diversity.
Students will hone their writing and analytical skills by studying the greatest works of fiction,
poetry and informational texts the country and its inhabitants have produced.

Course Outline:
Quarter 1:
Unit 1: Faith and Americans. We will explore the influences that religion and spiritual
beliefs had in establishing and producing both Native American and Puritanical societies.
Unit 2: Freedom and Forging a Nation. Through close-reading of historical and literary
documents, we will interpret the American ideals the Founding Fathers
(and of other American thinkers of the day) envisioned for America and consider how well (or
poorly) we have lived up to their vision.
Unit 3: The Realities of Imagination. Together, we will explore the works of writers
and adventurers whose works explored both the dark corners of imagination and the dark corners
of a new continent. We will evaluate their themes and messages and determine how those themes
and messages fit into the concept of the American ideal.
Quarter 2:
Unit 4: Nature and Human Nature. In this unit, students will be introduced to the
works of the American Transcendentalists. Overall, we will explore the idea of balancing the
need for a place in the world with the need for individuality.

Unit 5: The Rise of American Poetry. After a review of the elements of poetry, students
will practice the skills of poetic explication and interpretation. Along with studying the works of
the original American poets, we will delve into modern American minority poetry.
Quarter 3:
Unit 6: The Fight for Freedom. In an attempt to understand the dynamics of the human
experience during the Civil War era, we will study first-hand accounts of those who fell under
the yolk of slavery as well as those who both fought for and against their right to freedom. We
will also study fiction of the era in order to understand the comment it made upon the difficult
social and personal questions of the time.
Unit 7: New Frontiers. In this unit, we will study works that reflect the exploration and
expansion of the country that took place, post-Civil War. Also, we will watch as the literary
direction of America finally come within the capable reach of woman and minority writers.
Quarter 4:
Unit 8: Wars of the World, Wars Within. By studying the works of the times of World
War I and II, we will follow the trends in the idea of what it means to fit into an American
society in an increasingly global world. This unit will include both poetry and prose from some
of the finest writers in American history.
Unit 9: The American Dream. In post WWII America, Americans felt a sense of
opportunity theyd never known at least, some of them did. In this atmosphere of mixed
prosperity and racial unrest, a great flowering of American literature took place. We will study
these works in order to understand the legacy that lead us to the world today.

Grading Breakdown:
Unit Tests:

30%

Reading Quizzes:

30%

Journal:

20%

Projects, Papers and Presentations:

20%

Necessary Materials:
Each day in class, students should have their journals and their textbooks. Separate notebooks
should be kept for in-class notes notes should not be in student journals.

Procedures and Policies:

Just be ladies and gentlemen. I promise to treat you with respect and I would ask the same in
return. I trust you to make good decisions and to behave with decorum; hopefully I am right to
do so.

Personal Technology in the Classroom:

Cell phones, computers, tablets, or any other electronic devices, are not to be used during class
time without the permission of the teacher. Students may not record any audio or any visual
element of class without the teachers permission. Doing so without permission will result in
disciplinary action. Any infraction of the Acceptable Use Policy, as explained in the student
handbook, will be reported to the administration.