Course Description:

The objective of this course is multiple: to enhance the reading skill and listening ability of non-English majors, familiarize them with more sophisticated uses of English, situate their readings in intellectual backgrounds, and develop their sensibility toward the English language and ability of critical thinking, which is essential to studies in all academic fields. To that end, we’ll explore a variety of English writings, with emphases on the questions of critical thinking, rhetoric, and the role of language in creative writing. In addition to expanding your knowledge and perspectives of the world through the course materials, we aim to help you become more skilled and proficient readers and listeners in English.
This course therefore consists of trainings in readings as well as listening, with about one third of our class hours spent on the latter. The “textbook” of our class will be a collection of photocopied essays selected from different sources. Other course materials include a list of video clips, audio recordings, and additional handouts or online resources the teacher adds when necessary. Students are expected to make use of the online learning system at NTU (called CEIBA) to post their responses to the readings, video and audio recordings, download some course materials, or hand in their homework.

For more details: Freshman English Syllabus.doc