AP English Literature & Composition Syllabus (2025–2026) — Comprehensive Study Notes

Course Introduction

• AP English Literature & Composition (English 12) offered Fall $2025$ & Spring $2026$
• Classroom: Room $2301$
• Teacher: Chris Haynes, MA
• Contact: Christopher.Haynes@tuhsd.org
• Support Hours: $7{:}45{-}8{:}15\,\text{am}$ , Monday–Thursday
• Focus: Close reading, critical analysis, and writing about imaginative literature (fiction, poetry, drama)
• Skills developed: Reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical & creative thinking
• College-level rigor—aligned with first-year composition standards
• AP Exam (May): CollegeBoard counts $3$ as passing, most colleges grant credit only for $4$ or $5$ (policies vary—students must verify individually)

College Credit & Course Rigor

• Course mirrors in-state freshman composition expectations
• Requires consistent effort and grit
• Texts, writing, presentations, discussions structured to build college-ready skills

Course Texts

• Wide, diverse reading list—across eras & cultures; each major text previously appeared on the AP exam
• Loan copies supplied; must be returned to teacher or library
• Parent/guardian must contact teacher promptly with concerns to secure alternate text; delayed contact = shorter completion window for alternatives

Optional/Supplemental Textbook

• Literature & Composition: Essential Voices, Essential Skills for the AP Course, $3^{\text{rd}}$ Ed.
• Authors: Shea, Renee H. et al.
• ISBN: $9781319404376$
• Cost: Free—print copy from bookstore, possible digital version
• Classroom copies for in-class use; students may check out personal copies

Technology & Digital Platforms

• District-issued laptop; must arrive fully charged daily—lost charger/damage incurs fine (payable to bookstore)
• Microsoft Word required submission format; no other file types unless specified
• Canvas LMS: Hosts lessons, handouts, grades; mirrors many college systems
• Parents: Check grades by viewing student’s Canvas dashboard

Required Physical Materials

• Writing tools: Black & blue pens, pencils, highlighters
• Paper: Lined, college-ruled (loose-leaf or spiral)
• Dedicated AP Lit folder—bring daily, store all handouts/graded work

External Resources Disclaimer

• Class may link to YouTube, gov/edu sites, etc.
• Content not produced by TUHSD; contact teacher with questions

Mock & Mini-Mock Exams

• Periodic mini-mocks given in class; graded and count toward overall grade
• Full mock exam may be offered for practice under simulated conditions

Classroom Philosophy & Community

• Student-centered; every participant acts as both teacher & learner
• Individual effort impacts community learning
• Must analyze texts containing potentially controversial depictions (nationality, religion, dialect, gender, class, etc.) with maturity and open-minded inquiry

Standards Alignment

• Arizona State ELA $11{-}12$ Standards
• College Board AP English Literature & Composition Course Framework
• Canvas course cross-listed across multiple class periods—online interaction across periods

Grading Structure

• Final Grade Weights:
• Performance Assessments $=30\%$
• Summative $=30\%$
• Formative $=20\%$
• Assignments $=10\%$
• Final Exam $=10\%$
• Letter Scale:
• $A:90\%-100\%$
• $B:80\%-89\%$
• $C:70\%-79\%$
• $D:60\%-69\%$
• $F:0\%-59\%$

Category Details

• Performance Assessments (Required; $30\%$ )
• Fall Literary Analysis Essay
• Spring Literary Analysis Essay
• One-on-one conferencing + revision opportunity (eligibility based on process requirements)
• Summative ( $30\%$ ): Unit post-tests & end-of-unit projects
• Formative ( $20\%$ ): Quizzes, short responses, timed FRQs—mid-unit snapshots
• Assignments ( $10\%$ ): Homework & daily work (reading, discussion prep); discussion grades assess listening & speaking quality
• Final Exams: One each semester, worth $10\%$ of that semester

Discussion Expectations

• Listen attentively & compassionately
• Arrive prepared; abstain from speaking if unprepared
• Disagree with ideas, not people
• Celebrate creative, respectful language

Attendance & Absent Work

• Presence critical—group activities not replicable
• Excused absence: $3$ school days upon return to get/submit work & make up quizzes/tests (not Performance Assessments)
• Student responsibility: Obtain notes/handouts; may request via MS Teams (teacher response within $1$ business day)
• Questions about missing work must occur during tutoring, not beginning of class
• Unverified absence = zero
• Tardiness ⇒ sweep; counts as missed instruction
• School-related absences (field trips, etc.): Arrange in advance; work still due on time

Late Work Policy

• Due at class start or when collected
• Late work NOT accepted (except Performance Assessments grace window)
• Reading not completed on time ⇒ barred from related discussion/activities—cannot be made up
• Late drafts may forfeit conference opportunities
• Performance Assessments:
• $24$ -hour grace = no penalty
• After grace: graded, then $20\%$ deduction & NO revision allowed
• Absolute deadline: $5$ school days after due date by $3{:}12\,\text{pm}$ (e.g., due Tuesday ⇒ final cutoff following Tuesday)

Classroom Behavior

• Respect self, others, environment; clean & restock supplies
• Speak thoughtfully—true, necessary, kind, relevant
• Focus on ideas; disagreement must remain respectful
• Hate or dehumanization ⇒ disciplinary referral

Cell Phone & Personal Device Policy (HB $2484$ )

• Devices stored in backpack/bag or classroom lockbox—NOT on person during class
• May check devices during $7$ -minute passing periods & lunch
• Goal: Reduce distraction, improve engagement & learning outcomes

Academic Integrity

Plagiarism

• Copying (intentional or unintentional), recycling own work, or submitting AI-generated text ⇒ $0\%$
• Required Turnitin originality check via Canvas

Generative AI Policy

• Definition: AI that creates novel content from data sets (text, images, etc.)
• Risks: Academic dishonesty, skill erosion, misinformation, bias
• District uses Gen AI Botlight indicators—default status: AI-Restricted (red) ⇒ NO generative AI permitted unless explicitly allowed
• Violation Procedure:

Teacher-student discussion
If confirmed, assignment receives $0$ ; parent/guardian contacted
Possible referral for academic dishonesty; escalating consequences for repeat offenses
• Course emphasizes in-class writing & peer review to preserve integrity; extra tutoring/conferences encouraged

Tutoring & Instructor Availability

• Students expected to be proactive—seek help before/after school & flex
• English tutoring available with multiple teachers; primary teacher best resource
• Mr. Haynes: $7{:}45{-}8{:}15\,\text{am}$ , Mon–Thu, by appointment

Syllabus Acknowledgement

• Signed slip (student & parent/guardian) due by Tuesday, $8/5/24$
• Signatures signify understanding & acceptance of all policies (credit & rigor, materials, philosophy, content, attendance, late work, device, AI)

These notes condense every key detail from the $2025{-}2026$ AP English Literature & Composition syllabus, offering a comprehensive reference for course expectations, resources, policies, and evaluation criteria.