Janice Gangel-Vasquez
Associate Professor of English
Language Arts and Humanities
Los Angeles Trade-Technical College
213 763-5516
Office in the Writing Center (C-100)
gangeljm@lattc.edu

I encourage you to contact me whenever you have questions or ideas about the course or your performance.  Write a message in the Moodle classroom requesting a meeting. Consultation time is available online, or you may arrange a face-to-face conference.

Required Texts

Click on the images to connect to online book sellers. The intention of the links is to provide you with information about the books.  I claim no responsibility for book purchasing. These books are also available through the LATTC Bookstore.   The LATTC customized edition of Rules for Writers is available only in the LATTC Bookstore.

Course Description   This survey of English literature--a fully on-line class--introduces you to the critical reading of short stories, novels, plays, and poems.  The course further develops skills taught in English 101, including analytical thinking and the writing of essays.  Successful completion of English 101 is a prerequisite.

Course Objectives   As a result of completing this course, you will be able to:

• Identify and analyze literary genres: drama, poetry, and fiction.

• Determine the plot structure, characterization, style, and conflict in a piece of literature.

• Write effective critical essays concerning literary subjects.

• Write and discuss literary works analytically.

Course Work   You will read several short stories and poems, an assigned play, the novel The Stranger, and complete several writing projects.

Point SYSTEM   Points are divided into two categories: Weekly Assignments and Formal Papers. The final grade for the class will be based on the grades earned on Formal Papers. All Formal Papers must be submitted, regardless of points earned. Weekly assignment points (25 points each assignment) are considered attendance and class participation; if you fall behind 100 points, you may receive a reduced grade for lack of class participation and "attendance,"  or be dropped from the class.

Assignments   It is important that you edit and proofread all assignments before posting. The online classroom allows you to resubmit your work; however, I will not allow resubmissions after I have posted a grade. Material from your assignments may be used in your formal papers.

FORMAL PAPERS    You will write three formal papers of varying length.  All papers must follow the MLA format. There is a window of several days in which you may submit papers. Plan ahead; you may turn in papers any time before the due date. Overview of Formal Papers
 Grading Criteria

LATE PAPERS    The portal will be remain open after due date for submission of late papers.  Late papers may receive a grade reduction.

ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION    Weekly assignments equivalent to attendance and class participation.  You will receive a reduced grade for lack of class participation and "attendance" as you would in a traditional classroom setting.

Grading    At the end of the semester each student will receive a final letter grade corresponding to the points earned during the semester.   Point values are listed below; however, regardless of the number of points you accrue, you must complete all assigned papers to pass the class. 

Plagiarism     Copying and use of another’s work without proper acknowledgment is not permitted, nor is it permissible for anyone to allow another person to copy his or her work for the purposes of assessment.

Americans with Disability Act   If you are a student with a disability and require accommodations, please send me a private email.  The sooner I am aware of your eligibility for accommodations, the quicker I will be able to work with the DSPS office to meet your needs.  If you have not done so already, you should contact the DSPS Office located in Building E, room 110 (phone 213-763-3773) and bring or send aa letter stating the accommodations that are needed.

Last updated 02/27/2010