Los Angeles Mission College - Spring 2009
English 101/College Reading and Composition 1
Instructor: Gina Ladinsky
Email: ladinsg@lamisison.edu
Website: http://www.lamission.edu~ladinsg Phone 818- 364-7698
Office Location: Bung. A
Hours: M 12:30-3:30, Tu 2-3:30, W 12:30-1:30
Course Objectives: Welcome to English 101. During the semester, we will focus equally on the process
of writing and reading at the college level. The course will examine the various phases of the writing
process that writers use to produce a successful final draft. In addition, students will create reading logs
to aid in the development of critical theories about topics that range from contemporary issues,
argumentative prose, and literary interpretations. By the end of the semester, you will be able to respond
to the works of published authors in an authentic, original, and meaningful way. Through peer review
and the creation of writing portfolios, you will learn to access the skills needed to communicate
effectively both personally and professionally.
Required Text: Dreams and Inward Journeys by Marjorie and Jon Ford. Sixth Edition.
Required Novel: The Tortilla Curtain by T. C. Boyle
Required Handbook: The Brief English Handbook by Edward Dornan. 8th Ed.
Required Coursepack: Patterns Created with Words by Gina Ladinsky
If you cannot afford to buy the books, all books are on reserve for you in the library. You will be expected
to make copies of the pages we are covering for the day and have the copies at each class meeting.
Required Supplies: Two or Three Large Blue Books
Blue or black pens and lined paper
Scantron Cards: 882 E and number two pencils
Student Learning Outcomes: By the end of the course students will be able to produce a unified essay
of 1,000 words that shows a mastery of critical thinking, logical organization, and mechanics. Further,
students will be able to analyze and evaluate academic articles and literature. Lastly, students will
produce a 2,500 word research paper that utilizes library research.
Evaluation and Grading:
1. Attendance and preparation are mandatory. Class participation is a necessary aspect of this course
and will ultimately influence your final grade, so it is necessary for you to have excellent attendance.
Further it is necessary for you to keep up with the in-class and out-of-class assignments, which will not be
possible if you are absent. You are allowed up to three hours of un-excused absences. As stated in the
LAMC catalog, “Whenever absences “in hours” exceeds the number of hours the class meets per week,
the student may be excluded by the instructor” (43). If we are past the drop deadline, you will receive a
lower grade for the course, depending on the number of un-excused absences. If you have emergencies or
special circumstances, contact me. All excused absences will require documentation. If you are unsure
as to what constitutes documentation, come see me for clarification. Work and doctor’s appointments will
not qualify as an excused absence. If you find you are unable to attend the course, it is the responsibility
of the student to complete the paperwork to drop the course in a timely manner. If your name
appears on the final grade roster, I will have to issue a grade.
Tardiness: Coming late disrupts the class and causes me to have to repeat information already given to
the rest of the class. Three late arrivals will count as an absence, so do your best to be on time. Also,
leaving class early will have the same effect- three = one absence.
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2. Essays: You will submit three essays of 4-5 pages as well as a research paper of 8 pages. All out-ofclass papers must be typed, double-spaced and must follow MLA guidelines. In addition to a hard copy,
you will be required to upload out-of-class papers to Turnitin.com. It is easy to upload your paper and
instructions can be found on my website. Students will not receive a grade for their paper unless it has
been uploaded. Late uploads will result in a grade reduction. If you need help, come see me.
A peer review session and teacher conference may be required for out-of-class papers. It is necessary
to be present for peer review to earn the points for the review. No late papers will be accepted without
documentation. Essays are collected at the beginning of class.
3. Exams: You will write two essay exams in class. The exams will be based on class discussions and
on the reading material for the course. You will need a large blue book (8.5 x 11") for each exam.
Neither late papers will be accepted, nor will make-up exams be given without documentation.
4. Response Questions: In addition to formal essays, you will be assigned response questions and
reading logs throughout the semester. Some will be written in class; some will be written as homework.
These assignments ask you to focus on a particular passage in a work or to address a critical question
specific to the essays or literature we are reading.
Homework Collection: Homework will be collected in packets on dates announced in class. You will be
required to keep your homework, clearly labeled, in chronological order until it is handed in for a grade.
Late homework packets will not be accepted with ONE exception: You will be given one No Questions
Asked (NQA) coupon. To use the coupon simply attach it to the homework packet, sign it, and hand it in
at the very next class meeting - no questions asked. The stipulation of using this coupon is that it can
only be used for homework, not for writing assignments such as paragraphs and essays, and the work
must arrive at the next class meeting. If you have an extended absence, please contact me.
Our Class is a Leaning Community: Students who arrive with homework are placed in groups to
collaborate on the best possible responses to the readings. Each group then presents its findings to the
class. A large class discussion follows. If you have not done the homework, you will not be placed in a
group, but you are welcome to join the discussion.
5. Class work: Quizzes may occur in response to any reading assignment or class discussion. They may
be unannounced and may require a scantron card, so keep an ample supply (882-E) along with number
two pencils. In-class attendance is required for quizzes. I conduct the class using a variety of methods to
include: lecture, in-class writing and collaborative/workshop activities. You will be required to
participate in class discussions as well as be an active member of small group discussions. You will need
notebook paper and pens for each class meeting. You will also be expected to have your book(s) at each
class meeting. Missed tests, quizzes, or in-class papers cannot be made up without documentation.
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6. Grading: Please keep all returned papers and all returned written assignments. In the unlikely
case that you feel you handed in an assignment that the instructor did not record, you must have the
graded work in your possession for evidence. Make a copy of all papers prior to handing them in. Keep
them in a safe place. Your grade will be based on the following:
Exams (2 at 20% each) 40%
Out of class essays (3 at 10% each) 30%
The Research Paper 20%
Class participation (quizzes, discussion, response papers/homework) 10%
A: A's are for superior work, for writing that is often original and well-expressed. Students who expect to
receive A's always come to class, they participate in class discussion, they keep up with the reading and
have obviously asked questions of it and thought about it on their own. Students who do A work show
intellectual curiosity and initiative. A writing is intellectually engaging and well-reasoned, well-supported
and fluent, revealing complexity of thought, insight and originality. It is generally free of mechanical
errors. It follows MLA format.
B: B's are for good to very good work. Generally, students earn B's by being prepared for class and by
participating in class discussion. Writing tends to be less consistently analytic; it doesn't engage the issues
of the work as thoroughly as A papers do. Although it is generally free of mechanical errors, B writing
lacks the complexity of thought, support, and fluency that A papers demonstrate.
C: C's are for average university-level work. Students earn C's by completing all the requirements of the
course: that is, they accomplish the reading, and they turn in competently written assignments. They
participate in class discussion. C writing shows thinking that is developing skill in engaging with the
literature but, in comparison to A and B writing, is probably less insightful or original. Avoiding critical
analysis, it may sometimes lapse into plot summary. Writing may be clouded by surface errors or
occasional unsupported generalizations, while it shows thoughtfulness and general university level skill
and fluency.
Final Semester Grades will be broken down as follows:
A
100-90%
B
C
D
F
89-80%
79-70%
69-60%
59-50%
Attendance: Will not assure a student a passing grade.
Extra-Credit: There is none. However, you can earn “Waves” by participating in class discussions. Two
“Waves” equal one Quiz/Homework point. You are responsible to keep your waves and hand them in
during the 15th week.
Plagiarism: Any form of plagiarism is an offense punishable by failure of this course. Further, any form
of plagiarism is considered academic dishonesty that may result in disciplinary action.
Electronic submissions of assignments, including papers will not be accepted. For each out-of-class
paper, you will hand in a hard copy in class and upload a copy to Turnitin for a plagiarism check.
Turn off all electronic devices before class begins and remove iPod earphones. If I observe you texting
during class, I will give one warning and the second time I will mark you absent.
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Note: If you do not write all papers and exams assigned for the semester, you will not pass the course in
that the objectives set forth by the English Department must be met.
Note: You are responsible for the information on this syllabus.
Note: I reserve the right to make changes to this syllabus. ☺
Class Calendar – Updated Feb. 16
Reading assignments are due on the dates listed below. You are expected to come to class prepared.
The class schedule is subject to change.
Note: The following Library Workshops: “Research Strategies,” “Locating Journal and Newspaper
Articles,” and “MLA Format” are a requirement for the course. Sign up early at the Library or
online, so you can take the workshops at a convenient time. Keep the receipts that show you
attended the workshops to hand in with your research paper. (Yes, they are worth points! )
Tu Feb 10
Discuss Syllabus/Course/Introduction to a process view of reading and writing
Th Feb 12
Patterns Created with Words: A Look at the Writing You Do – p 1-5
Tu Feb 17
Patterns Created with Words: Your Handwriting on the Page p 6-11
Th Feb 19
Patterns Created with Words: A Lifetime of Reading: p 12-15
Tu Feb 24
Dreams and Inward Journeys: Chapter 1
Discovering Ourselves in Writing and Reading, 13-14
Stephen King – “The Symbolic Language of Dreams” 17-23
Patterns Created with Words: Reading Difficulties p 16-17
Th Feb 26
Dreams and Inward Journeys: Chapter 1
Virginia Woolf - “Professions for Women” 28-33
Amy Tan - “Mother Tongue” 34-38
Tu Mar 3
Dreams and Inward Journeys: Chapter 1
Fredrerick Douglass - “Learning to Read and Write” 40-43
Patterns Created with Words:
Getting Started is the Hardest Part 17-20
Paragraph Review – A Refresher 21-25
Th Mar 5
The Brief English Handbook: The College Essay 35-99
Ch. 1 Reading Logs/Homework Packets Due
Paper 1 Assigned – Ch. 1
Tu Mar 10
Paper 1 – Peer Review and Conferences – 1 – Bring Two Copies
Thesis Statements and Supporting Outline Due
Th Mar 12
Paper 1 – Peer Review and Conferences - 2
4
Full Draft Due - Minimum Three Typed Pages – Bring Two Copies
Tu Mar 17
Dreams and Inward Journeys: Chapter 3
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Narration, Memory, and Self-Awareness, - 119-126
Maya Angelou – “The Angel of the Candy Counter” – 145-150
Judith Ortiz Cofer – “Silent Dancing” – 151-158
Th Mar 19
Dreams and Inward Journeys: Chapter 3
Stephen Jay Gould – “Muller Bros. Moving & Storage” – 163-168
Paper 1 – Final Draft and Portfolio Due
Tu Mar 24
Dreams and Inward Journeys: Chapter 6
Journeys in Sexuality and Gender 324-329
Maxine Hong Kingston “No Name Woman” – 336-345
Paper 2 Assigned – Ch. 3 and Ch. 6
Ch. 3 and Ch. 6 - Reading Logs/ Homework Packets Due
Th Mar 26
The Brief English Handbook: Argument 317-331
Tu Mar 31
School Holiday
Th Apr 2
Paper 2 – Peer Review and Conference
Full Draft Due – Minimum Three Typed Pages Due – Bring Two Copies
Spring Break – April 6-10
Tu Apr 14
Dreams and Inward Journeys: Chapter 8
Pop Dreams – Research Writing 459-465
Louise Erdrich, “Dear John Wayne” p 465-467
Anthony Pratkanis and Elliot Aronson, “Pictures in Our Heads” p 468-473
Sissela Bok, “Aggression: The Impact of Media Violence
Th Apr 16
Paper 3 - Exam 1 - Ch. 8 - Bring a Large Blue Book, Dictionary, Pens
Paper 2 Final Draft and Portfolio Due
Tu Apr 21
Dreams and Inward Journeys: Chapter 4
Comparing and Contrasting: Strategies for Thinking and Writing, 183-188
Gabriel Garcia Marquez – “The Handsomest Drowned Man in the World” 198-203
The Brother’s Grimm “Aschenputtel” 229-234
Paper 4 Assigned – Ch. 4 – No Peer Review – Come to my office for help
Th Apr 23
The Brief English Handbook: Researching a Paper: 350-405
→ Library Workshops Need to Be Completed ←
Finding a Research Focus
Chapter 4 Reading Log/Homework Packet Due
Paper 5 - Research Paper Assigned- Topic TBA
Tu Apr 28
The Brief English Handbook: Researching a Paper: 350-405
Summary vs. Paraphrase
Outlines
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About MLA . . .
Paper 4 Due
Th Apr 30
Bring two references/resources for your research paper to class.
Summarizing/paraphrasing of one or two references for your research paper due by the
end of class
Tu May 5
Peer Review and Conferences I for Research Papers - Research Thesis, Outline,
Resources, Paraphrases and Summaries Due- Bring Two Typed Copies
Th May 7
Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
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Tu May 12
Research Paper - Peer Review and Conferences 2 – Full Draft Due – Five typed
Pages Minimum – Bring Two Drafts
Th May 14
Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
Research Paper - Final Draft and Portfolio Due
Tu May 19
Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
Th May 21
Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
Tu May 26
Conferences – Research Papers Returned – Grade Overview
Th May 28
Conferences – Research Papers Returned – Grade Overview
Tu June 2
Paper 6 - Final Exam – Tortilla Curtain -10-12 - Bring a Large Blue Book,
Dictionary, Pens