Elahi
English 102
English 102: College Reading and Composition II
Welcome to English 102! 
Professor Nadia Elahi
Los Angeles City College-FALL 2013
Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:45 pm - 3:15 pm, Section 467, Room JH315
Office: JH301-G Phone EXT 2717
Email: elahink@lacitycollege.edu
Course Description:
Students will study literature and literary criticism in order to develop critical thinking, reading
and writing skills beyond the level achieved in English 101. This course emphasizes logical
reasoning, analysis, and strategies of argumentation.
Prerequisite: English 101 or equivalent.
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Student Learning Outcomes:
Throughout the semester, your performance on multiple student learning outcomes will be
evaluated. In particular, the outcomes which will be assessed this semester include the
following:
 Read different texts and synthesize ideas from a variety of sources and backgrounds;
 Examine fiction and literature and translate your reflections into clear propositions or
thesis statements;
 Argue for your interpretations of ideas and meanings found in different literary texts;
 Examine and discuss literary functions and techniques using literary terminology
 Conduct research to gather background information on a related group of literary texts
from several sources and perspectives;
 Craft planning outlines for your writings that help you identify and organize ideas and
supporting material;
 Integrate material from readings or others sources into your own writing;
 Use MLA documentation;
 Edit your own work for errors.
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Course Objectives:
Reading: Analyze, interpret and evaluate works from different literary genres and to
demonstrate familiarity with key literary concepts such as point of view, character,
narration, mood, tone, metaphorical language symbol, allusion, allegory, and irony.
Writing: Analyze, interpret, compare, and critique literary works from different genres,
including novels, short stories, plays, and poems with appropriate support in critical
essays. Also be able to produce an interpretive research paper that will involve at least
three secondary sources.
Research: Use literary resources and databases to research critical analysis of literary
works in all major genres.
Literary history: Evaluate how a work’s social, historical, and cultural context contribute
to its interpretation and evaluation.
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Required Texts:
Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama and Writing, 7th ed., compact edition
(Kennedy/Gioia), The Namesake (Lahiri). Optional but encouraged: Rules for Writers 7th ed.
(Hacker/Sommers), hopefully you saved it from 101. Materials/Supplies: Two large green
books for in class essays, any college dictionary/thesaurus, notebook or binder with loose leaf
paper, pens or pencils, stapler, and a flash drive to SAVE ALL WORK.
Course Requirements:
Papers: Each student will be responsible for three out of class essays, two in-class
essays (mid-term and final), and a research paper. All out of class essays will be typed,
double-spaced, using Times New Roman or Arial, with a 12 point font, and a 1 inch
margin all the way around. We will use MLA guidelines. Papers must be turned in on
the due date to receive full credit. If a paper is NOT turned in on the due date, the paper
may be accepted (late) only on the next class day BUT with a 10 point deduction. After
that, late papers not accepted. However, there are no make ups for missing an in
class essay.
Peer Review Groups: Each student must bring in 3 copies of his/her rough draft for the
out of class essay. Peer groups are essential to the writing and revision process. This is
an in class activity and participation is mandatory. Of the 3 copies, one is presented to
the instructor and the other 2 are peer reviewed by classmates in groups of 3. Peer
Review Editing Sheets will be supplied to each group on the rough draft due date.
Group Presentation: Each student will be assigned to a small group (randomly selected
by the instructor) that will lead class discussion during the semester (more details TBA
later on Etudes). You will receive both a group and individual grade. There are no
make ups for these presentations.
Homework/Class Work: Class work: includes in-class writing & activities/class
participation and discussion. Basically, class work is anything that happens between 1:45
– 3:15 pm. Any work missed during class time cannot be made up. Most Reading
quizzes will be unannounced—there are no make ups for being absent or late to
class and missing a quiz. Participation: Each student is expected to contribute to class
discussion—aside from volunteering, you will be called upon at times—so be prepared!
 Homework: Homework assignments are listed on the Assignment Schedule, but will
be announced toward the end of each class IF there are any changes. Otherwise, follow
the calendar of assignments. ALL homework assignments will be typed and collected
for grading. Most of the homework assignments come from questions after assigned
readings. Each question should be answered in complete sentences. The length of each
answer depends on the question being asked. Usually, a well developed paragraph or two
is sufficient. You will be graded on each homework assignment. Credit is not just
given for doing the work. You will be evaluated on content and grammar/mechanics.
Some questions have more than one question to it—all parts of the question should be
answered. Be sure to number and title the homework with the corresponding title of the
work and question number. Homework is due at the start of each class session. Late
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homework is NOT accepted. If you are absent, you do have the opportunity to
email your work BEFORE the end of class (3:15 pm); this includes essay
assignments as well.
Attendance and Classroom Policy: It is imperative that you attend each session.
Students who fail to be present on the first day of class may be dropped from the course.
If you miss the first 2 classes, you will be dropped, and your spot will be given to
someone else wanting to add. If you miss more than 3 classes before the dropped date,
you may be dropped from the course and will receive a “W”. Excused absences will
only be allowed with a doctor’s note which must include the class date of your
absence. Tardiness will not be tolerated in this class. If you are not in class when I call
roll—you are late. I call roll promptly at the start of class. 3 tardies will be counted
as an absence—no exceptions. If you arrive after I’ve taken roll, it is your
responsibility to tell me after class or you may be marked absent. Also, if you leave
class early for any reason, you will be marked absent.
Classroom Etiquette: There will be no eating in class. You may drink
sodas/coffee/water, but please discard waste in trash bins when you leave the classroom.
Please turn off/silence (not vibrate) all electronic devices—no texting, no emailing, no
iPods or ear phones. Hide your phones—not in your lap.  If you are caught using
your phone, you will receive a warning; the second time, you will be dismissed from
the entire class and receive no credit for worked missed. Laptops may be used but
only for note taking. If I see the abuse of laptop usage in class—in other words—if
you’re NOT taking notes, then you will be asked to refrain from using the laptop
again. Please avoid too much walking in and out of class; be attentive, and show respect
to the instructor and fellow classmates. Do not begin packing up until class is dismissed.
We are all here to learn. No individual among us has the right to interfere with anyone
else’s learning environment. A student who is behaving inappropriately will be asked to
leave and may be dismissed from the class. Be the kind of student you would respect.
Email Etiquette: Keep in mind that this is an English class, and if you do need to contact
me through email, as your English instructor, I strongly advise you to put your best foot
forward. In other words, you should adhere to correct spelling, grammar and usage—no
text lingo, please. When you do email me, please include your name and class in the
subject line and be sure to sign your emails.
Office Hours: My office is located in JH302-F. If you need to speak with me outside of
class, you can come in on Monday and Wednesday between 1 - 1:30 pm or on Tuesday
and Thursday between 1 – 3:15 pm. If these times are not accommodating for you, I may
be able to meet at a different time or day. Just email or call me, and we can work
something out.
YOU are required to be responsible for any work you miss when you are absent or tardy.
Therefore, I encourage you to exchange numbers/email addresses with at least 2 fellow
classmates:
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1._______________________________________________
2._______________________________________________
Breakdown of Grades:
Final exam = 200 points
4 Essays (3 out of class/1 in class) = 100 points each (no make ups for missing an in class essay)
Research Paper = 100 points
Homework and Class work = 100 points
Includes:
 1 Group Presentation (100 points each)
 Various reading and writing assignments from the homework (points vary for
each assignment)
 Rough Drafts (3 out of class essays at 20 points each)—must be present—do
not email or leave in mailbox if absent—in class activities
 Quizzes (points vary depending on the quiz & some may be unannounced)
 Rough Draft for the Research Paper (25 points)—must be present—do not
email or leave in mailbox if absent—in class activity.
 Various class work assignments throughout each class session (points vary)
 Attendance, discussion and class participation (50 points)
FINAL GRADE is determined by the following procedure: average of the 4 essays (out of class
and in class) + average of the homework and class work + research paper + final exam grade.
The total is divided by 500, which equals the final grade.
Grading Scale: Students must receive at least 70% or better to pass the course. The grading
scale is as follows: 100-90=A; 89-80=B; 79-70=C; 69-60=D, 59-below=F
*Extra Credit is not offered in this course.
Academic Dishonesty:
Violations of Academic Integrity include, but are not limited to, the following actions: cheating
on an exam, plagiarism, working together on an assignment, paper or project when the instructor
has specifically stated students should not do so, submitting the same term paper to more than
one instructor, or allowing another individual to assume one's identity for the purpose of
enhancing one's grade. Cheating and plagiarizing will earn you an automatic F for the
assignment and could be grounds to fail the entire course. If you need help, visit the Writing
Center (JH 318).
Office of Special Services:
Any student who feels she/he may need an academic accommodation based on the impact of a
disability should contact the Office of Special Services (OSS) at 323-953-4000, ext. 2270 or visit
their office in room SSV 100.
Important Dates and Information:
Starting with Fall 2012, the deadline to drop without a “W” is the last day of Week 2. Dropping
after Week 2 will result in a “W” on your transcript. Effective July 1, 2012, students can only
attempt to pass a class three times. If a student gets a "W" or grade of "D", "F", “I”, or "NP" in a
class, that will count as an attempt. A student’s past record of course attempts district wide will
also be considered. Therefore, before September 8th, you should carefully consider if you can
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reasonably manage this course with the other factors in your life (e.g. work, family, course load).
If you think you will not be able to complete this course with a C or better, drop by
Sunday, September 8th. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. You
may also see a counselor in the Counseling Center in AD 108.
Note the following Dates:
Last day to add a class: September 9
Last day to drop a class with a full refund: September 8
Last day to drop a class without a “W” on record: September 8
Last day to drop a class with a “W” on record: November 18 online
Final Exam day: Monday, December 9, 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm
If you need help paying for books and other college expenses,
call the Financial Aid Office at
(323) 953-4000 extension 2010,
or see them at Student Services Village room 117
http://www.lacitycollege.edu/stusvcs/finaid/
“Go confidently into the direction of your dreams! Live the life you always imagined.”-Thoreau
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