Instructor: Ann Warren
Office Hours: Online via Zoom, by appointment
E-Mail: annw708@gmail.com
Welcome
English 103 is a course designed to improve a student's skill in reading carefully, writing effectively, and thinking clearly. This course will provide students with various thinking and reasoning strategies and help students develop stronger critical thinking skills.
This course is fully transferable to UC and CSU.
This class is an on-line version of Los Angeles Harbor College's English 103, Critical Thinking.To register, or for more information, contact L.A. Harbor College.
General Nature of the Course
The online version of English 103 involves the same readings, writings, exercises and information as the traditional English 103 course; only the delivery system has changed. Instead of submitting hard copy essays which will be read, commented on, scored and returned, students will submit assignments and have them returned via e-mail; instead of "live" class discussion, students will post answers to discussion questions and respond to others' ideas on a class message board. Lecture material, course deadlines, and assignment information are available via the Internet.
You will need to keep track of assignment (reading and writing) due dates by referring to the Class Schedule. It is up to you to keep up with assignment deadlines, especially since late essays will be penalized (see note under Assignments), and late answers or responses to discussion questions will not be accepted at all.
- Specific Writing Assignment instructions can be reached here: Writing Assignments.
- Specific Discussion Question instructions can be reached here: Discussion Questions.
Read these instructions carefully, and always e-mail me with any questions you might have.
There is also a series of Lectures on topics related to your reading and writing. Be sure to read the lecture material for each week because this should help you to understand the readings, and will give you valuable information to help with the writing assignments. Lecture information can be reached through links in the Class Schedule and in the Writing Assignments.
So it's up to you to keep up with the reading, to turn in assignments on time, to look at online lecture material and to ask questions when you don't understand what we're doing. I will read the written work and questions you e-mail to me, and I will respond (also via e-mail) with comments, corrections, discussion items, and (I hope) useful answers.
Required Texts
But What if We're Wrong?. Chuck Klosterman. Blue Rider Press, 2016. ISBN #: 978-0-399-18413-0
(Okay to use any edition, as long as it's unabridged.)
Assignments
- Essays: 100 points each
- Final Project: 100 points
- Discussion questions: 20 points each.
(For more information about how and where to submit answers to the discussion questions, see the Discussion Questions page.)
At the end of the semester, your grades will be averaged to determine a final grade for the class. Late Discussion Questions will receive 0 points. Writing assignments are due on the date assigned on the schedule. Late papers will be penalized 10 points, and will not be accepted at all after one week.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using the words, ideas, or information of another without acknowledging the source. Plagiarism, in a college environment, is the equivalent of grand larceny, and as such, it is unacceptable behavior. Anyone caught plagiarizing will fail the class. Each student is responsible for knowing the rules of correct citation and documentation; for more information, see the following guidelines from The Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL). These provide clear and complete information as to what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it.
Grading Scale for Writing Assignments
100-90=A
89-80=B
79-70=C
69-60=D
59-0=F
How to submit your work
Your assignments will be submitted to me via e-mail. Save your file as a Word, RTF, or PDF file, and attach the file to your message. Attach the file containing your paper to your e-mail message. When sending assignments, your e-mail message should include your name, the class number (English 103), and the name of the assignment which is attached. Use correct MLA format and make sure that you eliminate spelling, grammar, and other proofreading errors from your writing. Send your e-mail to me at annw708@gmail.com.
NOTE: always keep copies of all of your assignments. If there is a problem with e-mail, you will need that copy to re-send for credit.
About Wikipedia
Avoid citing Wikipedia in academic essays. Since it is not edited by reputable experts, it often has errors and isn't reliable. It's okay to use it as a starting point for your own research, but go on and find other sources to verify the information, and cite those in your essay.
For more information, use the links at the top of the page to go to any of the Class pages you want to see; I've also given you a page of links to related literature sites.
To get in touch with me, use my e-mail. My office hours are listed at the top of this page and on the Class Schedule.
Student Learning Outcomes
Read and critically evaluate college-level material from a variety of sources, representing a multicultural perspective, and demonstrate an understanding of logical fallacies in readings and other media (such as advertising).
Develop and practice the inductive and deductive skills needed for close reading and sound writing.
Discover, evaluate, and cite reliable academic research sources for use in the development of the student's own writing while using appropriate MLA format and documentation.
Catalog Description
This course, which meets the transfer critical thinking requirement, is designed to develop transfer-ready critical thinking, reading, and writing skills beyond the level achieved in English 101. Based on college-level readings, the course will focus on the development of logical reasoning and analytical and argumentative writing skills, and research strategies with a minimum of 10,000 words of student writing submitted over the semester. Students will apply established modes of reasoning, analyze rhetorical strategies, evaluate logical fallacies, and detect propaganda techniques.
College Mission
Los Angeles Harbor College serves our diverse community by providing access to associate and transfer degrees, certificates, economic and workforce development, and adult and noncredit instruction. We promote equity, diversity, and student success through academic programs and support services that ensure our students become productive members of a global society.
Disability Accommodation Statement
It is the policy of Los Angeles Harbor College to accommodate students with disabilities. Any student with a disability who requires reasonable accommodations should contact Special Programs and Services (SPS). If you do not have a diagnosed disability, but you are experiencing learning challenges, please visit LAHC Special Programs & Services Disability Questionnaire Links to an external site.to complete a Disability Screening Questionnaire that will be reviewed by SPS.
I have made every effort to make this course accessible to all students, including students with disabilities. If you encounter a problem accessing anything in this course, please contact me immediately by email and contact SPS.
SPS can be reached at (310) 233- 4629 or visit lahc.edu/studentservices/sps
Title IX Protections
Title IX (of the 1972 Education Amendments) protects students and staff alike from discrimination based on sex, including Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault, which are forms of Sexual Misconduct. Under Title IX, all people in the educational environment must be treated equitably, regardless of sex, sexual orientation or expression, and/or transgender identity.
If you have experienced or learned of a possible violation of Title IX and/or would like to know about options, resources (including confidential services), the law, or District policy, please do not hesitate to contact a Title IX Coordinator.
Title IV Coordinator Contact Information:
Dr. Genice Sarcedo-Magruder, Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Los Angeles Harbor College
Regional Equity & Title IX Officer and Dean
213-891-2315 sarcedg@piercecollege.edu