English 102 - College Reading and Composition II
Course Syllabus
Instructor: Karen Amano-Tompkins
Term: Fall 2015
Section: 0237 MW 12:45-2:10 pm
Location: NEA 207
Office hours: M, W, & Th 11:00 am-12:30 pm, T 11:00 am- 12:00 noon in NEA 254
Office phone: (310) 233-4219
Email: amanotk@lahc.edu OR ms.tompkins@earthlink.net (best way to communicate with me
outside of class!)
Instructor’s Web site: http://mstompkinsblog.wordpress.com
English 102 is designed to reinforce the critical reading and writing skills presented in English 101
through the study of fiction, poetry, and drama. Emphasized are the analysis, interpretation, and
appreciation of literature. Stress is placed on the organization and composition of critical essays.
Prerequisite: Completion of English 101 with a “C” or better.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete English 102 should be able to
 Read and critically evaluate college level material from a variety of sources.
 Analyze, synthesize, and evaluate ideas found in a variety of sources.
 Differentiate face from opinion in critical and scholarly works.
 Detect prejudice and recognize the tone used by the author.
 Distinguish and use both inductive and deductive reasoning.
 Distinguish and use both denotative and connotative aspects of language.
 Demonstrate continued development in writing sophisticated English prose.
ADA Statement:
Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they may
need accommodations in this class, are encouraged to contact Special Programs & Services as soon
as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely manner. Their phone
number is 310-233-4620, and they are located in Cafeteria 108.
Required Texts: (available at the campus bookstore)
The Norton Introduction to Literature (11th edition) by Kelly J. Mays – ISBN 978-0-393-92339-1
The Road by Cormac McCarthy – ISBN 0-307-38789-9
You will also need to purchase two blue exam books for in-class essays.
Bring your books, a notebook (or notebook paper), and a pen to every class meeting. To complete
some assignments, you will need access to the Internet and to a computer word processor.
Students who succeed in English 102 usually choose to:
**Read carefully!**
 Make a serious commitment to succeeding in this class.
 Come to class on time and prepared.
 Get the required texts as soon as possible.
 Do all the assignments, including readings, and keep up with the class schedule.
 Participate in class discussions and activities.
 Refrain from using their cell phones during class.
 Let me know immediately if they experience a problem with the class or if other areas of
their lives seriously interfere with their ability to do their class work.
Page 2 of 9

Seek out all legitimate help with their course work, if they need it, including the Writing
Lab, Special Programs & Services, campus librarians, their textbooks, and me.
 Maintain academic integrity by doing their own work. They do not plagiarize; they do not
cheat. (See box on plagiarism on next page.)
 Treat their classmates and instructor with respect and consideration.
 Recognize that real learning is difficult – it involves making mistakes and taking risks.
If you are not willing to make these choices, you are not likely to succeed in this class!
I will be happy to meet with you to discuss your work in this course. I encourage you to visit me
during office hours, but if that is not convenient for you, we can make an appointment to meet at
another time.
All students are expected to abide by the Standards of Student Conduct detailed in the Course
Catalog.
Plagiarism can mean copying, word for word, all or part of something someone else has written
and turning it in with your name on it. Plagiarism also includes using your own words to express
someone else’s ideas without crediting the source of those ideas.
Plagiarism is a very serious form of academic misconduct. It’s both lying and stealing, and it’s a
waste of time for students and teachers. College and departmental policy on plagiarism will be
strictly enforced: Any student caught plagiarizing will automatically receive a zero for that
assignment, with no possibility of making it up, and may be subject to a formal reprimand and/or
suspension.
Cite your sources! Please retain all notes and drafts of your papers until grading for the course is
completed.
Attendance/Tardiness
Attendance in class is mandatory. This is the college policy. If a student is absent for more than the
hours that a class meets per week, or if there is irregular attendance or a pattern of absences, the
instructor has sufficient cause to drop a student from the class. For example, if a course meets 3
hours a week, then a student is allowed a maximum of 3 absences. Students who enter the class
after the official starting time will be marked absent for that particular day.
If a student is absent the first and/or second class meeting of the first week of the semester, then the
student will be dropped from the class. If you are absent three classes in a row, I will assume you
intend to drop the class.
Electronic Communication Devices Policy
According to Communications Division policy, electronic communication devices must remain off
during class time. Exceptions may be considered by faculty consultation (i.e. family emergency). A
first offense may result in the student being suspended from the class for one meeting. Repeated
offenses may result in up to a 2-day suspension from the class pending a conference with the Vice
President of Student Services.
Page 3 of 9
Instructor’s Web site:
http://mstompkinsblog.wordpress.com
A reference Web site for this course is available at the URL above. The site primarily contains
information that we cover in class, such as due dates and requirements for specific assignments.
Downloadable handouts will be available on the Downloads page, so if you miss or lose a class
handout, you’ll be able to find it here.
Grading:
Your final grade in this class will be computed as follows.
Essays (3)
38%
points)
Prewriting/Outlines & Drafts
6%
Reading Analysis Presentations (6)
22%
Creative Research Project
10%
Midterm
7%
Final
7%
Quizzes
6%
Participation
4%
Total
100%
A = 90% 900-1000 points
D = 60% 600-699
B = 80% 800-899
F = 50% 0-599
380 points (1 @ 80 points + 2 @ 150
60 (10 points per outline/draft)
220 (2 @ 30 points + 4 @40 points)
100
70
70
60 (20+ quizzes worth 2-5 points each)
_40 points
1000 points
C = 70% 700-799
English 102 is a UC-CSU transferable course, so rigorous academic standards must be applied to
grading your work. All assignments are required. In-class work, such as reading analysis
presentations and quizzes, cannot be made up. Both essays and the research paper are required to
pass the class.
Missing assignments can significantly impact your grade and prevent you from passing the course.
For example, if you fail to complete two Reading Analysis Presentations (40 points each), miss an
outline and a draft (10 points each), and miss five quizzes (4 points each), you will need to earn an
average score of more than 80% on every other assignment in order to pass the class with a C
(70%).
No late assignments will be accepted, unless an extension has been arranged with the instructor in
advance. Papers may not be submitted by email except by special permission, and when permitted,
it is the student’s responsibility to make sure that the paper is received and readable.
Quizzes will be given frequently throughout the term whenever substantial reading is due. Each
quiz will consist of two to four multiple-choice questions that the instructor will read out loud.
Quizzes will always be given at the beginning of the class session; students who are absent or arrive
late may not make up quizzes, even if they have really good excuses.
Reading Analysis Presentation assignments: You are required to present your analysis of one of
the assigned readings every few weeks for the duration of the class. There will be a sign-up sheet
for each set of readings; in some cases, you may be assigned to analyze a specific reading. You
must do your analysis on the reading you signed up for (or were assigned) – you may not switch to
another reading without clearing it with your instructor. Your written analysis is due the day we
discuss it in class (see Schedule), and you will present your findings to the class during our
Page 4 of 9
discussion of the reading. Late reading analyses will not be accepted. Guidelines for the reading
analyses will be distributed separately.
Essays must be typed and formatted according to MLA (Modern Language Association) guidelines.
For guidance, see the MLA Formatting and Style Guide at the Web site of the Purdue Online
Writing Lab (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/ - link available on the course site).
Papers may not be submitted by email except by special permission, and when permitted, it is the
student’s responsibility to make sure that the paper is received and readable. Late papers will
receive an automatic 10%-point deduction and will not be accepted later than one week after the
original due date. Late papers are not eligible for revision. The research paper will not be accepted
late!
Turnitin.com: To verify the originality of writing submitted for this class, all essays must be
uploaded to Turnitin.com. Turnitin.com will generate an originality report for the instructor
identifying any borrowed material in student essays (borrowed material includes correctly
documented quotes, as well as plagiarized material). In order to receive full credit, students must
upload their essays to Turnitin.com before class on the day the assignment is due. No essay will be
graded until it is uploaded to Turnitin.com.
Go to Turnitin.com to create a student profile. Use the following information to upload your essay:
Class ID: 10268326
Enrollment password: 0237
Revising: You may revise one or both of the first two take-home essays and resubmit your work for
a new grade. To improve your grade, you will need to do more than correct grammatical errors and
reword or reorder a few phrases. Revision means a new vision; it means looking at your work with
fresh eyes and reconsidering the content, focus, and organization of your essay. It may involve
rethinking, as well as rewriting. You are strongly advised to consult with your instructor and/or the
Writing Lab before you begin revising. Revised essays are due within one week of receiving your
original essay back and must be accompanied by your original essay. An essay grade will be raised
a maximum of 10 percentage points. Please do not revise and resubmit essays that receive a score of
90% or higher.
Page 5 of 9
Grade Tracker for English 102
Assignment
Points possible
points earned
Quizzes 1, 2, 3, & 4
2 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 14
Reading Analysis 1
40
Prewriting 1
10
Draft 1
10
Quizzes 5, 6, 7, & 8
4 + 5 + 4 + 5 = 18
Essay 1
80
Quizzes 9 & 10
3+3=6
Reading Analysis 2
30
Midterm exam
60
Quizzes 11, 12, & 13
3+3+2=8
Reading Analysis 3
40
Prewriting 2
10
Quizzes 14, 15, & 16
3+2+2=7
Draft 2
10
Quizzes 17 & 18
2+2=4
Essay 2
150
Reading Analysis 4
40
Prewriting 3
10
Quizzes 19 & 20
2+2=4
Drafts 3
10
Quizzes 21 & 22
2+2=4
Reading Analysis 5
40
Reading Analysis 6
30
Essay 3
150
Participation
40
Final exam
80
TOTAL
1000
To calculate your grade at any point in the term, divide your total points earned by the total
points possible.
A = 90-100%
D = 60-69%
B = 80-89%
F = 0-59%
C = 70-79%
Page 6 of 9
Schedule of Topics, Readings, and Written Assignments (subject to change)
Date
Readings to be completed before class
Quizzes, exams, and
major assignments
Week 1— Introduction
Mon.
8/31
Wed.
9/2
Mon.
9/7
Wed.
9/9
“Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid
Writing diagnostic
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Introduction, pp. 1-10
Biography of Maxine Hong Kingston
http://www.biography.com/people/maxine-hong-kingston-37925
“No Name Woman” by Maxine Hong Kingston (use link on course site)
http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic1049594.files/No%20Name%20Wo
man%20Kingston.pdf
Week 2 – Short Story
Quiz 1
Information sheet
Reading Response
NO CLASS – LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Plot, pp. 57-66
Narration and Point of View, pp. 102-107
“Sonny’s Blues” by James Baldwin, pp. 78-100
Quiz 2
(Reading Analysis 1)
**Last day to drop classes without a fee or a “W” is Sept. 10 (inperson) and Sept. 13 (online)
Mon.
9/14
Wed.
9/16
Mon.
9/21
Wed.
9/23
Week 3—Short Story
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Character, pp. 122-130
Setting, pp. 157-164
“Recitatif” by Toni Morrison, pp. 131-148
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Symbol and Figurative Language, pp. 205-211
“The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, pp. 307-320
Elements of the Essay, 1233-1242
Week 4 – Poetry
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Theme, pp. 241-245
“Open Boat” by Stephen Crane, pp. 245-266
Writing Process (Getting Started-Moving from Evidence to Claims),
pp. 1243-1250
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Poetry: Reading, Responding, Writing, pp. 450-475
Theme and Tone, pp. 527-531
“Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy, pp. 533-534
“La Migra” by Pat Mora, pp. 700-701
Prewriting/Outline 1 Workshop
Quiz 3
(Reading Analysis 1)
Quiz 4
(Reading Analysis 1)
Quiz 5
(Reading Analysis 1)
Quiz 6
(Reading Analysis 2)
Prewriting for
Essay 1
Page 7 of 9
Mon.
9/28
Week 5 – Poetry
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Language: Word Choice and Order, pp. 548-555
Visual Imagery and Figures of Speech, pp. 560-569
Writing Process (Drafting- Crafting a Title), pp. 1251-1257
[“My Life had stood – a Loaded Gun“] by Emily Dickinson, pp. 673-674
“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost, pp. 683-684
Quiz 7
(Reading Analysis 2)
(Reading Analysis 6)
Purdue Online Writing Lab (Web site):
“Feminist Criticism (1960s-present)”
(http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/11/ )
Wed.
9/30
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Symbol, pp. 573-580
The Sounds of Poetry, pp. 586-599
“Digging” by Seamus Heaney, pp. 686-687
“The White House” by Claude McKay, pp. 698-699
Quiz 7
Draft of Essay 1
Draft 1 Workshop
Mon.
10/5
Wed.
10/7
Week 6
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Internal Structure, pp. 611-622
External Form, pp.632-635
The Sonnet, pp. 645-646
“Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” by Dylan Thomas
[“What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why”] by Edna St.
Vincent Millay, pp. 651-652
Purdue Online Writing Lab (Web site):
“Post-Colonial Criticism (1990s-present)”
(http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/10/ )
Review for midterm
Quiz 8
(Reading Analysis 2)
(Reading Analysis 6)
Essay 1 due
Week 7 – The Novel
Mon.
10/12
Wed.
10/14
Mon.
10/19
Wed.
10/21
Midterm
The Road, pp. 3-60 (to “…. The day seemed almost warm and they slept in
the leaves with their packs under their heads.”)
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
The Research Essay, pp. 1258-1264
Week 8 - The Novel
Quiz 9
The Road, pp. 60-114 (to “…pulled out the blankets and spread them over
the boy and soon the boy was sleeping.”)
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
The Research Essay, pp. 1265-1275
Quiz 10
(Reading Analysis 3)
The Road, pp. 115-75 (to “…Yeah, the man said. We can go.”)
Quiz 11
Purdue Online Writing Lab (Web site):
“Marxist Criticism (1930s-present)”
(http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/05/ )
(Reading Analysis 3)
(Reading Analysis 3)
(Reading Analysis 6)
Page 8 of 9
Week 9 – The Novel
Mon.
10/26
Wed.
10/28
The Road, pp. 175-231 (to “…. We got lots of stuff. Wait till you see.”)
Quiz 12
Purdue Online Writing Lab (Web site):
“Psychoanalytic Criticism (1930s-present)”
(http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/722/04/ )
(Reading Analysis 3)
The Road, pp. 231-87 (end)
Quiz 13
Prewriting for
Essay 2
Prewriting/Outline 2 Workshop
(Reading Analysis 6)
(Reading Analysis 3)
Mon.
11/2
Week 10 – Shakespearean Drama
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Elements of Drama, pp. 772-783
Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Act I, pp. 1081-1106
Wed.
11/4
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Act II, pp. 1106-1125
Draft 2 Workshop
Mon.
11/9
Wed.
11/11
Mon.
11/16
Wed.
11/18
Week 11 – Shakespearean Drama
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Act III, pp. 1126-1151
NO CLASS – VETERANS DAY HOLIDAY
Week 12 – Shakespearean Drama
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Act IV, pp. 1151-1171
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
Hamlet by William Shakespeare, Act V, pp. 1171-1190
**Last day to drop classes with a “W” is Nov. 19 (in-person) and
Nov. 22 (online)
Week 13 – Modern Drama
Mon.
11/23
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, Act I, pp. 784-807
Prewriting/Outline 3 Workshop
Wed.
11/25
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen, Act II & III, pp. 807-843
Quiz 14
(Reading Analysis 4)
Quiz 15
Draft of Essay 2
(Reading Analysis 4)
Quiz 16
(Reading Analysis 4)
Essay 2 due
Quiz 17
(Reading Analysis 4)
Quiz 18
(Reading Analysis 4)
Quiz 19
Prewriting for
Essay 3
(Reading Analysis 4)
Quiz 20
(Reading Analysis 5)
Page 9 of 9
Mon.
11/30
Week 14 – Modern Drama
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
The Piano Lesson by August Wilson, Act I, pp. 845-881
Quiz 21
(Reading Analysis 5)
Wed.
12/2
The Norton Introduction to Literature:
The Piano Lesson by August Wilson, Act II, pp. 881-915
Draft 3 Workshop
Quiz 22
Draft of Essay 3
(Reading Analysis 5)
Week 15 – Creative Project Presentations
Mon.
12/7
Wed.
12/9
Sun.
12/13
Essay 3 due to Turnitin.com by 11:59 pm, Sunday, Dec. 13
Creative Research
Project
Presentations
Creative Research
Project
Presentations
Essay 3 due
Final Assessment
Mon.
12/14
Final Assessment 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Contact information for a few reliable classmates
___________________________________________________________________
Name
Phone
Email
___________________________________________________________________
Name
Phone
Email
___________________________________________________________________
Name
Phone
Email
Los Angeles Harbor College Mission Statement
Los Angeles Harbor College promotes access and student success through associate and transfer
degrees, certificates, economic and workforce development, and basic skills instruction. Our
educational programs and support services meet the needs of diverse communities as measured by
campus institutional learning outcomes.