GISDepartment of Global and Interdisciplinary Studies

This course reinforces the basic reading skills and strategies that are needed for academic success at the university level, and moves up through critical reading of more advanced texts toward the reading and understanding of academic papers.
These objectives are achieved via the use of such communicative methods as discussion and presentation in pairs, groups and at class level. This will ensure students actively communicate in English, helping them to enhance skills in listening and speaking as well as in reading and writing.

To improve students’ reading speed and accuracy, enhancing their critical thinking skills, and exposing them to academic material, in order to prepare them for the Department’s demanding course of study.

Will be able to gain “DP 1”, “DP 2”, and “DP 4”.

英語 / English

Through the textbook and its academic reading selections and exercises, students will explore real-world issues, discuss academic topics, read and study content-based and thematic materials; interact in pair work, small group work, and whole class activities that present opportunities for real-world use of language; acquire tools that promote the critical thinking skills crucial to success in the academic world; expand their vocabulary; and gain familiarity with the ingredients of widely used tests of English proficiency. This will occupy the first half of the course. During the second half, students will be introduced via more demanding material intended for non-specialists to a topic of academic concern, and then shown how best to approach and digest an academic paper on this topic.
Students will receive written and spoken feedback in class for both HW and exams that address areas needing improvement.
Please note that the teaching approach may vary according to which threat level we are at: at level 1, 70% of this course will be held on campus, though at level 2, 50% will be held on campus. *Class 1 (Professor Evans) will be held online.

あり / Yes

なし / No

授業形態/methods of teaching：対面/face to face

※各回の授業形態は予定です。教員の指示に従ってください。

1[オンライン/online]：Introduction to the Course

Course requirements; textbook and syllabus review. Study skills and study time management. Academic integrity: avoiding plagiarism. Preview of The Tell-Tale Heart and related internet research.

2[対面/face to face]：Reading Selection: The Tell-Tale Heart

Summarizing from a different point of view; internet research (memory biases).

3[対面/face to face]：Reading Selection: The San Francisco Sculptor Who Created Nicolas Cage’s “Dreadful Dragon”

Finding the bases for inferences; comparisons from two texts (two sculptors compared).

4[対面/face to face]：Reading Selection: Trees for Democracy

Finding evidence to disprove false arguments; analyzing the author’s point of view.

5[対面/face to face]：Reading Selection: A Revolution in Medicine

Separating fact from opinion; critical opinions (charities in the developing world).

6[対面/face to face]：Reading Selection: What Makes Van Gogh So Great?

Identifying false inferences; paraphrasing.

7[対面/face to face]：Reading Selection: Contrite Makes Right

Analyzing cause and effect; internet research (a pair of book reviews).
Review of the first half of the course; discussion.

8[対面/face to face]：Quick Survey; Mid-term Examination

Revision Q&A; reading skills examination covering material and exercises from weeks 1 to 7.

9[対面/face to face]：Special Academic Topic: Topic Introduction (i)

Lecture on the academic topic chosen by the specific instructor; discussion activities; introductory reading.

10[対面/face to face]：Special Academic Topic: Topic Introduction (ii)

Further introductory reading on the topic; major structural patterns of academic papers.

11[対面/face to face]：Special Academic Topic: Academic Paper (i)

Lexical preview of the academic paper; abstract and structure.

12[対面/face to face]：Special Academic Topic: Academic Paper (ii)

Further glossary for the academic paper; introduction; locating the paper in its immediate academic context.

13[対面/face to face]：Special Academic Topic: Academic Paper (iii)

Body and conclusion of the academic paper, with comprehension activities.
Review of the second half of the course; discussion.

14[対面/face to face]：Quick Survey; Final Examination

Revision Q&A; reading skills examination covering the academic paper and other material from weeks 9 to 13.

Students must read the required material and do required exercises for each class. Preparatory study and review time for this class are 2 hours each.

As specified by the instructor.

Brenda Wegmann and Miki Knezevic, Mosaic 2: Reading, 6th ed. (McGraw-Hill Education, 2014).

Homework (30%), in-class assignments (30%) and exams (40%).

Not applicable.

None.