A Cultural Exploration of Language Arts
2008-2009
lInstructor Azar Kohzadi l e-mail: Azar_Kohzadi@dpsk12.org l (720) 424-1756
Office hours are after school by appointment. Please call or email for an appointment
Course Overview
This course utilizes the value of cultural studies to aid in the development of language arts skills, including reading comprehension and analysis, writing, researching and presenting. Through various thematic units, which focus on aspects of world culture and literature, students will develop strategic reading and writing skills (congruent with the CO State Standards) while investigating the literary genres of poetry, short stories, nonfiction (expository and technical) and the novel. Students will also produce writing in a variety of formats—there will be added emphasis on expository writing, particularly the formal academic essay. Throughout all of our units, we will continue to develop skills in the correct use of grammar, spelling and punctuation.
In their Social Studies classes, students will explore the development of cultures and civilizations from around the world. In turn, our Language Arts classes students will read, discuss, and analyze various texts that reflect these cultures as well as others. In addition, we will do much examination of how these cultures and our own shape our world of today. Students will discover much about culture and the world, while simultaneously developing crucial skills in language arts.
Main Thematic Units*:
1. Understanding and Beginning the Cultural Exploration<o:p></o:p>
2. Ancient World Literature: Mysteries, Myths and Hero Journeys<o:p></o:p>
3. World Poetry<o:p></o:p>
4. The Voice of Immigration<o:p></o:p>
5. World Issues (Persuasive Research) <o:p></o:p>
6. The Power of Your Words (Spoken Word)<o:p></o:p>
Skills to be Developed:<o:p></o:p>
1. Literary knowledge and awareness<o:p></o:p>
2. Cultural knowledge and awareness <o:p></o:p>
3. Communication skills<o:p></o:p>
4. Critical analysis, reasoning<o:p></o:p>
5. Connecting art, history and literature<o:p></o:p>
6. Self-awareness
Texts:
Selected novels from cultures around the world *A portion of the homework for each semester will include reading at least two novels and completing various corresponding assignments. Students will be given a separate handout, which provides a brief analysis of each novel.
*Limited copies of novels are available for check-out in the classroom; however, in some cases, you may need to purchase your book or check it out at a local library.
Selected Poems, Essays and Short Stories (for classroom use)
Parallel Myths by J.F. Bierlein (classroom use)
Timeless Voices, Timeless Themes (Gold level) by Prentice Hall Literature (classroom use)
Grading
Grading will be based on a variety of in-class and homework assignments which explore language arts from a cultural approach. Approximately 40% of the student’s grade will come from in-class work and participation; the other 60% will come from homework assignments. *Please see the attached sheet titled “Ms. Kohzadi’s Policies and Procedures” for more in-depth information on homework guidelines and expectations. <o:p></o:p>
Required Materials:
1. One 2-3 subject (130-200 pgs.) spiral notebook for classroom journal writing and grammar exercises (This must stay in the classroom unless otherwise directed!)
2. A folder or 3-ring binder to keep all course related handouts organized in.
Recommended Materials:
1. Dictionary and Thesaurus at home (online references are fine)
2. Small pencil sharpener
3. Highlighter
Feeling Charitable? (Optional Materials…needed in the classroom)
1. Box of Kleenex
2. Elmer’s Glue or glue stick
3. Sculpey Clay
3. Markers or colored pencils
4. Paint
5. Scissors