Welcome!

In English 102, we'll read and analyze short stories, poems, plays, and a novel. The reading will introduce you to a wide variety of literature, and the analysis will improve your thinking and writing skills.

This course is fully transferable to UC and CSU.

General Nature of the Course

The online version of English 102 involves the same readings, writings, exercises and information as the traditional English 102 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; lecture material, course deadlines, and assignment information are available via the Internet.

You will need to regularly 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 work will be penalized (see note under Assignments). Specific Writing Assignment instructions can be reached through the links on the Class Schedule. Read these instructions carefully, and always e-mail or phone or visit 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 (see below) 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

  • Almost, Maine, John Cariani (any unabridged edition will do)
  • Proof, David Auburn (any unabridged edition will do)
  • Station Eleven, Emily St. John Mandel (any unabridged edition will do)

NOTE: The short stories, poems, and most of the plays we will read in this class are in Files section on Canvas, unless a link is provided.

However, Almost Maine, Proof, and Station Eleven are NOT in the Files section, and must be purchased separately or borrowed from a library. You can get these at the college bookstore, a retail bookstore, or your public library (www.lapl.org).

Assignments

At the end of the semester, your grades will be averaged to determine a final grade for the class. 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 Online Writing Lab at Purdue University. These provide clear and complete information as to what constitutes plagiarism and how to avoid it.

Grading Scale for Writing Assignments

How to submit your work

Your writing 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. When sending assignments, your e-mail message should include your name, the class number (English 102), and the name of the assignment which is attached. Use correct MLA format to set up your pages; for more information see The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University. Make sure that you eliminate spelling, grammar, and other mechanical 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, SparkNotes, and Databases

DO NOT cite 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.

Also avoid SparkNotes, ENotes and similar sites. Teachers hate them since they provide only the most superficial analyses. Avoid citing them in academic papers; instead, go find analyses from more reputable academic sources: university and scholarly websites, peer-reviewed journals in library databases, and books. Don't be scared by that word "databases." The databases are just collected electronic versions of articles published in print magazines, journals, and newspapers. They also sometimes contain e-books. You can search them and find tons of good material. There's more about how to use the databases on the Writing About Literature page.

For more information, use the links at the top of the page or those below to go to any of the Class pages you want to see; I've also given you a page of links to other literature sites.

To get in touch with me, use my e-mail. My office hours are by appointment; please email me to set up a Zoom meeting.