LA Pierce College
Intermediate Reading and Composition
Course Information
CRN:3706
Days: MTWTh
Time: 7:30-10:00
Location: EB 1206
Class Website: www.eng28.pbworks.com
Professor Information
Instructor: Jamie Ray
Email: rayjm@piercecollege.edu
Office Hours:
M/T/W/Th-12:30-1:15 + 6:00-6:45
Office Location: FO 2204
What is this course about? (Course Description)
English 28 will introduce you to the principles of college composition: active reading strategies, the writing process,
paragraph and essay structure, topic sentences/thesis statements, revision, and editing for grammar and sentence variety.
This course will prepare you for the writing required in English 101, other college courses, and your career while giving
you confidence for other types of writing.
What should I be able to do by the end of this course? (SLOs)
 Write unified, coherent essays with a clear thesis statement and supporting paragraphs.
o Typed essays will be approximately 500-1000 words each and in MLA format
o Bluebook (greenbook) essays (in-class) will be 500-750 words each
 Write essays demonstrating sustained clarity of intention, awareness of audience, and various writing techniques.
 Understand the audience’s stylistic needs by using sentence variety, parallelism, appropriate diction, and active
voice.
 Eliminate grammatical, mechanical, and syntactical errors (i.e., fragments, run-ons, comma splices, subject-verb
agreement errors, pronoun agreement errors, and pronoun shifts.)
 Analyze written texts, such as essays (non-fiction) or short stories and novels (fiction) for main point or theme,
content, mode, style, vocabulary, logic, and figurative language.
What materials do I need for this class?
 textbooks:
a. America Now: Short Readings from Recent Periodicals 2013 Edition by Robert Atwan (REQUIRED)
b. Sentence-Combining Workbook 4E by Pam Altman et al. (REQUIRED)
c. college dictionary of your choice (Optional- NO phone dictionaries will be allowed during in-class
writing, but paper dictionaries will be)
 greenbooks, a notebook, a stapler, a folder, and Internet access
How will I be graded?
Grade Categories
In-Class Writing
 These are done in your greenbooks and are based off of
readings and discussions from class. They require one re-write.
Out-of-Class Writing
 These are done at home, and they are based off of readings and
discussions. These do not require a re-write, but they require
extensive use of the writing process.
Homework + Participation
 There is always homework. It is checked often.
40%
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90%-100%
80%-89
70%-79%
60%-69%
0%-59%
=A
=B
=C
=D
=F
10%
7%
“Instructors don’t give grades.
Students earn them.”
Reading and Grammar Quizzes
15%
 These quizzes are based off of readings and grammar forms.
20%
Final Exam
 You will read an article and respond to it in a short essay.
8%
Forum Presentation
 With a group, you will present your topic to the class and lead
a discussion.
*You will receive printouts with your grade information two times during the course. You can also always ask me.
What are in-Class Writing + Out-of-Class Writing?
In-class writing samples are writing assignments that we do in class. They will be on the topics we read about. There will
be two versions, one in class and one at home. The first one is graded, but you can improve your grade on the writing by
5% when you do the second draft and fix the problem areas. Out of Class Writing Samples are based on what we read as
well, but they are prepared for in class through workshops and written, typed, at home.
What kind of homework and class participation is there for this class?
There will always be homework in this class, in many forms. Expect to spend at least 10 hours each week on homework
from this class. For participation, complete all of the reading assignments before coming to class. Be prepared to answer
questions and discuss the material. Your active, thoughtful, and respectful participation in class is required. You will earn
these points by completing various activities and actively engaging in class discussions.
What kind of reading will I do?
We will read all of the articles from the class text at home and discuss them in class. We will learn various reading
strategies that you will need to use while reading for this class. Readings will be discussed in class, so please be ready. As
part of your reading homework, you will need to complete a reading log.
What types of quizzes will I have?
The quizzes will be based on the readings and the grammar from the class. If you miss a quiz, you cannot do it later, so
please arrive on time.
What are the forum presentations?
The forums function as a form of exploratory discussion for students to find solutions to writer’s block, presentation
anxiety, and teacher-dominated lectures. In the forums, the students co-construct meaning through discussions and later
connect it to their writing in order to see writing as a public rather than private activity. Forums will consist of 3-4
students at a time. Each student in the forum will present on the reading he/she did for that topic. Forum presenters will
lead a class discussion. Students will receive more information about this on a handout.
What will happen if I miss class?
Attending all class meetings is required because your consistent presence and active participation will lead to your success
in this course. There are reading or writing assignments due at every class meeting, so please try to make this class one of
your top priorities in your busy schedule. A tardy or early departure will be treated as a partial absence. You are
responsible for any material or assignments missed. You may be dropped if you miss two days of class.
Is there extra credit in this class?
If you want to earn extra credit in this class, you can do one of the activities listed for 1.5% of your grade, but you can
only do two of the following, creating a maximum of 3% of your grade for extra credit. Please show proof that you’ve
done this from a stamp and signature on handout.

Extra Credit Activities:
o any writing center workshop
o attend any student success workshop
o instructor office visit with appointment and specific focus
What kind of behavior is appropriate in this class?
Arriving late, leaving early, or other inappropriate behavior disrupts your learning and that of your classmates. Please be
on time to class, attentive, and courteous (i.e., no cell phones or text messaging in class). Disruptions such as private
conversations, cell phones, unauthorized computer use, doing homework for other classes, etc. will not be tolerated. Any
behavior which upsets the teaching/learning atmosphere of the class is not acceptable.
What are the rules in this class? By returning on the second day of this class, you understand:
1.
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9.
This class must fit into your schedule. You cannot use work, scheduled doctor appointments, childcare or other reasons to
miss or be late. If you have an emergency, please let me know.
You may be dropped if you miss two classes.
You must have the required texts for this class, no sharing, and bring them to class every day. Participation points are lost if
you do not have your class texts every day.
You cannot turn in any work late or do make ups for missed quizzes or writing assignments. Only one late homework pass is
given.
You earn your grade, and that is based off of your performance, not effort, on quizzes, writing, assignments, and the final,
nothing else.
You cannot negotiate your grade or anything else that relates to your grade.
You cannot plagiarize or cheat in this class. Plagiarizing is using someone else’s words as your own on writing. It results in a
zero on the assignment and an appointment with Dean Follosco without exceptions.
You are expected to follow Pierce College’s policies while in class. No disruptions, including using the phone, tablets, or
laptops. Walking in and out of class and arriving late or leaving early are disruptions and compromise your participation
points.
o
Plagiarism happens when someone takes someone else’s ideas and acts like they are his own. It is academic theft. It is wrong
to take someone else’s ideas and not show where they come from. Plagiarism is a serious offense. The college has no tolerance
for plagiarism, so if it happens, I will enforce these policies. If you are not sure if you are plagiarizing or need more
information, please talk to me. You need to educate yourself on how to properly explain others’ ideas without making them
look like they are yours.
What resources can help me?

Academic Counseling Services – 818.719.6440 Student Services Bldg, 1st floor
Academic counselors are available to assist you with many of your educational needs.
http://www.piercecollege.edu/offices/counseling_center/

ASSIST.org – www.assist.org
ASSIST is an online student-transfer information system that shows how course credits earned at one public California
college or university can be applied when transferred to another. www.assist.org
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Associated Students Organization – 818.719.6411
The Pierce College student government organization supports the growth of Pierce College through active involvement with
students, faculty, and staff. http://www.piercecollege.edu/offices/a_s_o/

Career Center – 818.710.4126 Student Services Bldg 1st floor
Career Center services and resources provide assistance to students with the exploration of career options.
http://www.piercecollege.edu/offices/career_center/

Center for Academic Success – 818.719.6414 Library Learning Crossroads Bldg, 1 st floor
All tutoring services are free to currently enrolled Pierce College students.
www.piercecollege.edu/departments/academic_success

Copy Tech – 818.710-3303 Bookstore Complex
Pierce College's High-Tech Document Production Center where students can make it, print it, and copy it, at the CopyTech!
http://www.piercecollege.edu/offices/copytech/

Equal Opportunity Programs and Services – 818.719.6422 Student Services Bldg, 2nd floor
EOP&S is a state-funded support program designed to assist qualified low-income and educationally disadvantaged students.
http://www.piercecollege.edu/offices/eops/
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Financial Assistance – 818.719.6428 Student Services Bldg, 1st floor
If you need help paying for books and other college expenses, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
http://www.piercecollege.edu/offices/financial_aid

GAIN/CalWorks – 818.719.6400 Student Services Bldg, 2nd floor
A variety of services designed to support your educational, career and personal goals is offered, such as advocacy for child
care. http://www.piercecollege.edu/offices/gaincalworks/

Health Center – 818.710.4270 Student Services Bldg, 2nd floor
The Pierce College Student Health Center is committed to delivering expert medical care to students.
http://www.piercecollege.edu/offices/health_center/

Library – 818.710.2833 Library Learning Crossroads Bldg, 2nd floor
The Pierce College Library serves all currently enrolled students, college faculty and staff, and members of the community.
http://libguides.piercecollege.edu/content.php?pid=442777

Transfer Center – 818.710.4126 Student Services Bldg, 1st floor
The mission of the Pierce College Transfer Center is to help students successfully transfer to a four-year institution.
http://www.piercecollege.edu/offices/transfer_center/

Veterans Office – 818.710.3316 Student Services Bldg, 2nd floor
http://www.piercecollege.edu/offices/financial_aid/veterans.asp\
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Special Services – 818.719.6430 Student Services Bldg, 1st floor
Students with disabilities, whether physical, learning, or psychological, who believe that they may need accommodations in
this class, are encouraged to contact the office of Special Services as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are
implemented in a timely fashion. Authorization, based on verification of disability, is required before any accommodation
can be made. http://www.piercecollege.edu/offices/special_services/
Tentative Schedule (5 weeks)
Date
wk 1 Jan.
5-8
wk 2 Jan.
12-15
wk 3 Jan.
19-22
wk 4 Jan.
26-29
wk 5 Feb.
2-5
Focus
Topics:
 read- AN 1-2 + Summarizing
 grammar- SCW 1-3
 write- Exemplification
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Activities/Assignments
Intros, Syllabus, Books, + Diagnostic
Forums on T, W.
In Class Writing One Thur.
Quiz One Thur.
Topics:
 read- AN 3-5 + SQ3R
 grammar- SCW 4-6
 write- Classification
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Forums on M, T, W
In Class Writing Two Thur.
Out of Class Writing One due Mon.
Quiz Two Thur.
Topics:
 read- AN 6-7 + KWL
 grammar- SCW 7-8
 write- Compare/Contrast
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No Class Monday!
Forums on T, W
In Class Writing Three Thur.
Out of Class Writing Two due Mon.
Quiz Three Thur.
Topics:
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Topics:
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Forums on M, T, W
In Class Writing Four Thur.
Out of Class Writing Three due Mon.
Quiz Four Thur.
Forums on M, T
Out of Class Writing Four due Mon.
Final Exam Thursday 1:30-4:00
read- AN 8-10 + Annotating
grammar- SCW 9-11
write- Cause/Effect
read- AN 11-12 + Qs in Margins
grammar- SCW 12-14
write- Argument/Persuasion
Important Dates
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Last Day to Add – Jan. 7th
Last Day to Drop without a W – Jan. 7th
No Class for Martin Luther King Jr. Day- Jan. 19th
Last Day to Drop with a W- Jan. 31st
In Case of Emergency: When on campus, call 818 710-4311 for immediate response from the Campus Sheriff.
Please program the Emergency Sheriff’s number into your cell phone contacts.
Your “No Questions Asked” Buck for late homework. You can use this only for homework
assignments, not for in class or out of class writings, quizzes, or your forum presentation. Please cut it
out and sign the back.