Overview:

This course aims beyond the training of basic English skills and seeks to provide some catalyst for critical thinking and a platform for exchange of ideas. This is a student-oriented class and your active participation is essential for your learning. We will read a wide variety of texts, including essays on art, language, psychology, fashion, environment, and nutrition. We will also listen to audios with topics on cognitive science, sociology, astronomy, communication, statistics, behavioral science, and computer science. Based on these materials, we will conduct group discussion in class and have students present their thought. Each student will be called to speak at least once, and is required to do a listening report with partners.

Textbooks:

Milada Broukal, Weaving It Together, vol. 4, 2nd ed. (Thomson Heinle)
Ellen Kissinger, Contemporary Topics 3, 2nd edition (Pearson)

Requirements and Grading:

Listening Report (15%)—4-person, 30-minute group voice dubbing
Listening Quizzes (20%)—weekly audio transcription
Impromptu Speech (5%)—3-minute speech on a given topic
Reading Report (10%)—6-person, 30-minute group report of a chosen topic
Midterm Examination (25%)—vocabulary, comprehension, and writing
Final Examination (25%)—vocabulary, comprehension, and writing

Rundown:

1st hour: LR, LQ and Review, WIT Preview
2nd hour: CT
3rd hour: discussion/activity, speeches

Schedule:

Week 1 (2/17): Introduction; WIT 1-1
Week 2 (2/24): CT 1, WIT 1-2
Week 3 (3/3): LR 1, LQ 1, CT 2, WIT 2-1
Week 4 (3/10): LR 2, LQ 2, CT 3, WIT 2-2
Week 5 (3/17):LR 3, LQ 3, CT 4, WIT 3-1
Week 6 (3/24): Cancelled
Week 7 (3/31): LR 4, LQ 4, CT 5, WIT 3-2
Week 8 (4/7): LR 5, LQ 5, CT 6, RR 1, RR 2, RR 3
Week 9 (4/14): Midterm Examination
Week 10 (4/21): LR 6, LQ 6, CT 7, WIT 4-1
Week 11 (4/28): LR 7, LQ 7, CT 8, WIT 4-2
Week 12 (5/5): LR 8, LQ 8, CT 9, WIT 5, RR 4, RR 5
Week 13 (5/12): LR 9, LQ 9, CT 10, WIT 6-1
Week 14 (5/19): LR 10, LQ 10, CT 11, WIT 6-2
Week 15 (5/26): LR 11, LQ 11, CT 12, WIT 7
Week 16 (6/2): LR 12, LQ 12, WIT 8-1
Week 17 (6/9): WIT 8-2, RR 6, RR 7, RR 8
Week 18 (6/16): Final Examination