English

028
It Is All
STRUCTURES !
This is a beginning composition and reading class that incorporates critical

Spring 2015

thinking skills.

Professor Fatema Baldiwala

classes and other settings. The course

emphasizes practice in the writing of thesisbased essays and the critical analysis of
selected prose works dealing with important
contemporary ideas.

c. Shows some awareness of critical thinking:

e.g., linkage of evidence with assertion, some
awareness of pro-con sides to an issue, ability
to compare/contrast two short readings in a
focused way
d. Develops ideas, moving from general to
specific English 120

Email: baldiwfs@lavc.edu

Office Location: Tutoring Center

Student Drop in Hours: Half hour before

class and by appointment

Course Title: Eng: 028:It is all Structure!

Course Number: 3156

English 120 provides practice in the mechanics,

style, and organization of paragraphs and
essays.

Days and Hours of Class:

Wednesday 6:30- 9:45pm

Total Course Units

Teaching Philosophy:
CONNECTIONS EVERYWHERE AND
DECIPHERING PATTERNS
I learn language by reading voraciously. I learn
persuasion, unity, and clarity by writing
creatively. I learn critical thinking through
research and argument
I teach my students through stories. I show
them how words are bent, twisted, melded and
molded. I teach Language. Not language in a
vacuum, but language as a powerful tool if
utilized right can open doors that one never
though could be opened. I teach my students
that language has a structure. There is
structure within sentences, which then
translates to structure within a paragraph, and
then structure within an essay.
I show my students patterns in different kinds
of writing. I hope that by doing this they can
translate what they learn, deciphering patterns,
into other walks of their life. Knowing that
everything in life is somehow connected. That
everything in life has a pattern.

Course Rationale & Objectives:

English 120 is designed for students who want
to prepare for the writing required in college

Recommended Preparation: English 192.

(English 192 may be taken concurrently.)
Prerequisite: English 191 or placement based
on a composite of test scores and academic
background.

Course Entry Expectations:

Skills Level Ranges: Reading 5; Writing 5;
Listening 5;Speaking 5; Math 1
Prior to enrolling in this course, the student
should be able to:
1. Analyze short essays (approximately 2-6
pages in length) to identify thesis, topic,
developmental and concluding sentences, as
well as transitional expressions used to
increase coherence;
2. Evaluate compositions for unity, sufficiency
of development, evidence, coherence, and
variety of sentence structure;
3. Organize and write an essay which
a. Addresses the topic and is directed by a
thesis statement
b. Has an introduction, body, and conclusion
and demonstrates a basic understanding of
essay organization

Course Exit Expectations:

Upon successful completion of the required
coursework, the student will be able to:
1. Organize and write thesis-based essays
2. Use detailed examples, facts, logical
explanations, and other appropriate support
for thesis statements
3. Critically analyze selected prose works
dealing with important contemporary issues
4. Summarize, analyze, and synthesize
information, express and apply standards for
judgment, compare and contrast, and evaluate
evidence in order to form and state reasoned
opinions
5. Gather and organize information through
library research
6. Demonstrate a command of grammar,
diction, syntax, and mechanics sufficient for
college level work: control of Standard English
at the sentence level, with few major errors in
grammar and punctuation.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Outside Reading: and Research

Each student will get to do a presentation on a
successful person. The presentation will be
done keeping in mind the concepts learned in
class.
The student should be ready to give a 3-5
minute presentation on book of choice,
followed by an activity or demonstration
pertaining to your book. This could be done in
pairs too.

Upon successful completion, the student will be

able to:
1. Analyze and synthesize information from a
series of related sources, as demonstrated by
summary, paraphrase, and quotation.
2. Write a multi-paragraph length
argumentative essay which addresses the topic,
applies knowledge of essay organization
conventions and basic MLA citation form,
displays a command of Standard English
grammar, and demonstrates a growing
awareness of critical thinking through its
development of ideas and cited, logically
applied evidence derived from a series of
related readings.
3. Interpret and evaluate compositions for
unity, development, coherence, strength of
evidence, proper integration of reading
sources, and correct citation

Course Objectives:

Portfolio:

This Semester is divided into 4 writing units

A biography/research Paper

Literacy/identity Narrative that will utilize

description

Compare/contrast paper.

A final persuasive research paper

Reading: Critically, Use of reading

strategies. identification of main
ideas/authors argument

Writing and Formats: Emphasis on

Research. Writing Process: revision and
proofreading tips, introduction to
document formats (academic: MLA style,
in-text citation and works cited). Writing in
different structures

Speaking /Communication: Discussions,

individual and group projects,
presentations, and TED speech
discussions, in class debates.

Course Description:
This will be a beginning college level
composition and reading class. There will be a
progression of work that interconnects reading,
writing, and thinking exercises that link to class
work. Emphasis will be on different structures
of writing. Specific emphasis shall include the
exercise of logical thought and clear expression,
the development of effective organizational
strategies, and the appropriate gathering and
utilization of evidence.
Before a research paper is due they will utilize
library databases for peer reviewed readings
pertinent to their research topic. They will also
work in groups and collaboratively before the
final research paper is due.

The Portfolio is a compilation of your work this

semester. You will include all the work you
have done during this semester and we will
have a Portfolio Workshop near the end of the
semester. You will also write a Reflective
Preface in which you think about your writing
over the semester and how it has changed. It is
a chance for you to use that critical thinking
you've learned and apply it to your own work.
Keep all of your work!

Come to class in a cheerful

manner and all will be right!

Common Final
English 028 students will be given a common
final that will be graded by tow, sometimes 3
professors. This is to ensure that YOU are
prepared for English 101. This will be a timed
writing assignment. The grade you get for this
writing component will be a deciding factor in
whether you will pass this class.

Grammar Component

Pats of Speech

Types of Sentences

Structures of paragraphs

Group Work:
You will be working mostly in groups for which
you will get a grade for participation and
completion of group exercises. You will also
work in groups during class debates.

Submission of work:
There will be a five day open window for work
to be submitted as a hard copy to the
instructor on due date of the three final
essays. If there is still an issue contact me
through email before due day of class. Late
work will not be accepted.

Individual Work:
You will be required to do Dialectical journals
and/or graphs and Cornell Notes on the
assigned reading.. Since half of the semester
will be devoted to studying various structures
of writing, after each structural unit, you will
demonstrate your understanding of that
particular structure by writing a 1-2 page paper
that is an example of that particular structure.
In addition there will be in class writing
assignments.

Know that I am
there to help

YOU!

Required Reading
Models for Writers

CAMPUS RESOURCES

Library (818.947.2425):

Check out

books, articles, dictionaries and thesaurus

The Writing Center (818.

947.2810): The center provides tutoring,
workshops, handouts, books, dictionaries as
well as reading and writing lab courses (Engl.
67, Engl. 68)

EOPS Tutoring Center

Authors: Alfred Rosa, and Paul Eschholz

(818.947.2338):

ISBN: # 978-0312552015

tutoring for EOPS members

Los Angeles Inspired:

Giving new learners everyday language
skills and knowledge about their city

The center offers free

The Learning Center

(818.947.2744): Helpful resources, tutors for
general subjects, and workshops

SSD -Services for Students

with Disabilities (818. 947. 2681):
SSD provides support services, specialized
instruction, and educational accommodations to
students with disabilities so that they can
participate as fully and benefit as equitably from
Author: Fatema Baldiwala

the college experience as their non-disabled

ISBN13: 978-0-692-29117-7

peers.

Mindset:
The New Psychology of Success

Author: Carol S. Dweck

ISBN13: 978-0-345-472328

Academic Dishonesty Policy

Personal Goals For This Class

Students are expected to abide with ethical standards set

forth by the institution. See LAVC Schedule of Classes:
Student Conduct and Disciplinary Action.
Plagiarism is the representation of expression of ideas
from published or unpublished work(s) as well as from
internet sites or from others (other students) as ones
own. Students are encouraged to cite the sources to avoid
plagiarism.
Note: Cheating and Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Students suspected of violation will be warned and
referred to academic affairs for possible suspension.

https://www.lavc.edu/policies/index.html#academicdishonesty
If a student is caught engaging in Academic Dishonesty that student
will be dealt with due process, and even with expulsion

Students with Disability Policy

Class Deadlines

Deadline to drop to receive a W

12th week of class

Date and time of final exam

TBA Later.

Make-up Policy (only if it is an excused absence): One week after due

date

Tardy: 3 Tardy will constitute an absence

For any academic accommodation please see me after

class or during my office hours to discuss the necessary
arrangements. Also, if you have emergency, medical
information, or any concern that I should be aware of,
please let me know as soon as possible. For support
services, specialized instructions, additional time for
tests, and other educational accommodations needed for
your academic success contact Services for Students
with Disabilities (SSD) at 818 947 2681.
Challenging yet

loads of FUN

Electronic Devices
Electronic devices are welcome but must be used for
class purposes.

Make Friends

Ask a buddy, before you ask me

Name

Email

Phone Number