ACCESS ACADEMY READING ACROSS THE DISCIPLINES ACADEMIC YEAR 2018-2019 FALL COURSE SYLLABUS 1. COURSE INFORMATION Classes held: Reading Across the Disciplines Credits: Prerequisite: 2. FACULTY INFORMATION Faculty Name: Sharmin Rahmatullah Email: Sharmin.rahmatullah@auw.edu.bd Office Location: 20H, 506 Office Hours: Sunday (3.00pm 4.30pm), Tuesday (3.00pm 4.30pm). (TBC) Qualifications: CELTA,MA in ELT, BA (Hons) English Literature Areas of Expertise: English Language Teaching Profile: 2 years at AUW Access Academy Faculty (2017-Present) Pathways for Promise Faculty (2016-2017) ELT Faculty in BRAC University ESL Instructor in London English Academy (Malaysia) 1
3. TEXT AND OTHER COURSE MATERIALS Required Text: All materials will be provided by the teacher. Students are not required to purchase additional materials. These are the core texts used throughout this course; Langan, J. 2005. Ten Steps to Advancing College Reading Skills. USA: Townsend Press Withrow, et al. 2004. Inspired to Write: Readings and tasks to develop writing skills. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Silberstein, et al. 2008. Reader s Choice, 5 th Ed. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press. Hartmann, P. 2007. Quest 3 Reading and Writing, 5 th Ed. New York: McGraw Hill. Buscemi, S and Smith, C. 2009. 75 Readings, 9 th Ed. New York: McGraw Hill 4. COURSE OBJECTIVES AND DESCRIPTION This content-based course focuses on developing the academic reading and language skills necessary for success in a high-level English medium academic environment. Students will refine their reading skills and learning strategies, while producing multi-paragraph writings that demonstrate their ability to summarize, paraphrase, synthesize, analyze, and evaluate information and ideas from the readings. The writing assignments will be based on a variety of texts from expository and abstract genres. Readings will be chosen from a variety of academic subjects throughout the course of the semester. 5. LEARNING OUTCOMES [list 5-10 learning outcomes that are aligned with the program objectives and learning outcomes] Suggested format: Student Learning Outcomes Method of Assessment 1 Gain strategies for effective reading (such as Quizzes, homework, response questions goal-setting, predicting, questioning, grouping/classifying information, using graphic organizers, and consulting reference materials) 2 Demonstrate ability in the most basic reading Textbook activities, quizzes 2
skills (skimming, scanning, comprehension) for a large range of academic texts 3 Develop critical reading skills: Questioning, Inferring, Interpreting, Predicting, Describing, Synthesizing, Analyzing, Evaluating, Making & Supporting Claims, Arguing. 4 To develop students ability to respond critically to the texts they read in class 6 - Lead and engage in discussions based on a variety of texts, pose critical questions and raise controversial topics in group discussions. 7 Infer the meaning of new vocabulary from context of readings, and effectively use a dictionary to supplement vocabulary building thus expanding their knowledge of the meaning, usage, and word forms of a wide range of general and academic vocabulary. 8 Practice strategies for comprehending dense expository texts in the areas of Anthropology/Sociology, Philosophy, Politics, Economics, History, and Sciences 9 Distinguish a variety of rhetorical styles (narrative, expository, descriptive, argumentative) 10 Develop brief, organized essays that summarize, paraphrase, analyze, compare/contrast and critique/evaluate information from a variety of sources Homework response questions, in class free write response exercises Class discussions, homework response questions, presentations In class discussions, presentations Quizzes, textbook activities Homework response exercises, essays Response questions, in class activities Essays 6. ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT & GRADING POLICY Attendance 3
AUW expects students to regularly attend all class meetings. Students are expected to review their syllabus and acquaint themselves with and meet all course requirements. Definitions: Attendance is defined as physical attendance or participation in an academically related activity such as submission of an assignment, an examination, participation in a study group or an online discussion, etc. Instructors who do not take attendance may utilize key assessment points (e.g. projects, papers, midterm exams, and discussions) as benchmarks for participation. Excused Absence is defined as an absence approved or authorized by AUW. Unexcused Absence is defined as any absence not approved or authorized by AUW. Excused Absences 1. Death in the immediate family (parent or siblings), for up to one week. 2. Hospitalization for serious illness or medical problem/disability, for up to two weeks (for longer illnesses, a medical leave for the term may be granted, the procedures for which can be found in the Voluntary Withdrawal Policy). 3. Attending an AUW sponsored event or representing AUW at a meeting or event, for up to one week. Students are expected to attend class regularly and meet all requirements set by the instructor. When a student misses class because of an illness or unanticipated event, it is the student s responsibility to notify the instructor and provide an explanation. Illnesses documented by AUW s Health and Wellness Center that result in students absence from class will be excused. Other explanations for absences will be deemed unexcused at the discretion of the instructor. If a student and instructor disagree regarding the legitimacy of an excused absence, the Access Academy co-directors will mediate and reach a final decision. Access Academy students may accrue three unexcused absences during a semester. Each unexcused absence after three will result in the final course grade being lowered by a letter e.g. a final grade of A will become a B on the occasion of a fourth unexcused absence; a fifth absence will lower the final grade by an additional letter, and so on. Lateness: Class begins on time. However, for certain unavoidable reasons, a student is allowed to enter the class within the first 10 minutes after class starts. Under such a circumstance, students are advised to enter the class quietly with minimum disruption and explain their tardiness to the instructor after class has ended. Also, it must be understood that such occurrences cannot be 4
frequent (more than 5 times) and must not be considered as a rule. If a student is late for more than 5 times, she would have to follow the instructions of the teacher (whether allowed into the class or not). A student who is consistently late is disruptive to the learning environment and instructors may institute appropriate grade penalties at their discretion. If a student and instructor disagree regarding the appropriateness of a grade penalty for tardiness, the Access Academy director will mediate and reach a final decision. Participation: When course material is discussed, we are less concerned with right or wrong answers than we are with thoughtful contributions which follow the discussion and either add to the debate or move it in a new direction. If you find it uncomfortable to speak up in class, we encourage you to visit your professor in office hours and work on this skill. Quality comments possess one or more of the following properties: Offers a different and unique, but relevant, perspective; Contributes to moving the discussion and analysis forward; Builds on other comments; Transcends the I feel syndrome. That is, it includes some evidence, argumentation, or recognition of inherent tradeoffs. In other words, the comment demonstrates some reflective thinking. Late Work: Assignments are due at the beginning of class or as per the instructions of the teacher. If students arrive late to class on the day that an assignment is due, the assignment they submit is considered one day late. Students lose ten percent of the grade for each day an assignment is late. In other words, if an assignment is three days late, but otherwise flawless, the best grade a student can earn is 70%, since the instructor will subtract 10 % for each of the three days. 7. CONTACT WITH YOUR PROFESSOR Students should contact me via email sharmin.rahmatullah@auw.edu.bd. The teacher will hold regular office hours but students should email the instructor to schedule an appointment during this time stating what they would like to discuss and when they would like to meet. Students and instructors are expected to check their email at least twice daily, preferably in the morning and evening. Students are advised that a majority of faculty answer email within a 24 hour period during the week and a 48 hour period during weekends. Email is now an important 5
tool that many instructors use to communicate with their students. Please be aware that students who do not check email regularly may miss important class announcements. If you email your instructor, you should not expect an immediate response. On evenings and weekends you should not expect a response within 12 hours and therefore it is the student s responsibility to plan accordingly. 8. COURSE SCHEDULE Please note: The instructor reserves the right to change and adapt the reading list throughout the term and this schedule is a brief outline of the content of the course. WEEK 1: Introduction Student Learning Objective: Overview of the course and an introduction to intensive vs. extensive reading strategies. Required Readings: Worksheet WEEK 2: Science & Ethics Student Learning Objective: Vocabulary in Context Inferencing Techniques and Processes Required Readings: Jabberwocky (poem) and textbook chapter (10 steps), Stems & Affixes chapter (Quest) WEEK 3: Science & Ethics Student Learning Objective: Finding the Main Idea & Introduction to Chanda s Secrets Required Readings: Chapter from 10 Steps, Chanda s Secrets (Chapters 1-10) WEEK 4: Science & Ethics Student Learning Objective: Main Ideas and Supporting Details Required Readings: Chapter from 10 Steps, Chanda s Secrets (Chapters 11-20) WEEK 5: Science & Ethics 6
Student Learning Objective: The Reading Process Pre-reading strategies Required Readings: Chanda s Secrets (Chapters 21-25) WEEK 6: Science & Ethics Student Learning Objective: Outlining a Reading and Graphic Organizers Required Readings: Chanda s Secrets (Chapters 25 the end) WEEK 7: Rights & Society Student Learning Objective: Implied Main Ideas & Intro to Rights and Society Required Readings: Chapter from 10 Steps, Black Men and Public Space (Brent Staples) WEEK 8: Rights & Society Student Learning Objective: The Reading Process Active Reading Skills Required Readings: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, When a Sense of Nationhood goes off the Rails (Roy Hattersley). WEEK 9: Fall Break Student Learning Objective: N/A Required Readings: N/A WEEK 10: Rights & Society Student Learning Objective: Relationships I (from the 10 Steps Textbook) Required Readings: Can English be Dethroned (Reader s Choice), Don t Kill Your Language (TED Talk, Suzanne Talhouk), The Boy in the Striped Pajamas WEEK 11: Rights & Society Student Learning Objective: SQR3 Reading Strategy, Skimming and Scanning effectively Required Readings: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Articles TBC 7
WEEK 12: Rights & Society Student Learning Objective: Relationships II (From the 10 Steps Textbook) Required Readings: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, Women and Non-Violent Conflict (TED Talk) Julia Bacha WEEK 13: Rights & Society Student Learning Objective: Writing a Summary/Summarizing a text Required Readings: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, additional articles TBC WEEK 14: Rights & Society Student Learning Objective: Writing a Summary/Summarizing a text Required Readings: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, additional articles TBC WEEK 15: Assessment Week Student Learning Objective: Revision & Assessment 9. ASSESSMENT METHODS 1) Quizzes [20%] Students will be quizzed on the syllabus covered in class. In addition, students will take reading comprehension quizzes on certain homework readings. 2) Homework, Reading Journals & Free Writes [20%] Students will have regular homework, including extensive reading, comprehension questions, as well as writing and editing practice. The reading journal will be a chance for students to respond to readings through free-write and assigned questions. 8
Students will be asked to complete regular free write assignments at the beginning or end of some classes. These responses will be checked and graded on a regular basis. 3) Final Exam [30%] The final exam will consist of three parts each: concept, reading comprehension, and response writing. 4) Participation & Attendance [5%] Students will receive a grade for their participation during the course. This includes attendance, punctuality, regular and on time submission of homework, and regular participation in class. 5) Writing Assignments [25%] Students are expected to produce 1 short response paper during the semester. This will be based upon readings we have completed and will typically be around 750-900 words. The teacher will explain the exact requirements in more detail during the semester. 10. KEY DATES & DEADLINES There will be a final exam in the final week of the semester. The other major deadlines will be announced in class. 11. PLAGIARISM & ACADEMIC INTEGRITY All members of the AUW Community are bound by the Academic Honor Code published in the Academic Bulletin (http://www.auw.edu.bd/academics/course-bulletin/). The integrity of students academic work is very important to AUW faculty. Universities are based upon the fundamental principle that the work presented truly belongs to the author, because the academic community revolves around ideas and creativity. Each person s ideas are his or her contribution to the academic community. Therefore, taking another person s ideas and representing them as one s own is a serious form of dishonesty. Similarly, cheating (copying someone else s work, asking for answers, sharing answers, etc.) and other forms of dishonesty (falsifying data, making up references, etc.) are also serious breaches of this honor code. Plagiarism is intentionally or unintentionally taking credit for another s words or ideas. You may not plagiarize in your academic work, and you must adhere to the following: 9
When you use someone else s words (whether they are from a distinguished author or a classmate s paper), place the words you have copied in quotation marks and provide the appropriate citation of author and source. A good guideline to use to avoid plagiarism is to make sure quotes of three or more sequential words from someone else are put into quotation marks. If you paraphrase (reword) another person s ideas, then you must also cite the source. Paraphrasing must involve changing the words and sentence structure of the original source. Cite materials you copy or paraphrase from the Internet, even if the author is not identified. The various academic disciplines (humanities, social sciences, sciences) use slightly different formats for footnotes, endnotes, and bibliographies. Your professor for a particular class will tell you which format he or she wants you to use in that class. Copying, asking for answers, sharing answers, and any other form of cheating (misrepresenting your own work and knowledge) on exams or quizzes are all forms of academic dishonesty. Other Forms of Academic Dishonesty 1. Making up references, quoting wrong sources, etc. 2. Falsifying data. 3. Misrepresenting your situation to be excused from academic work. 4. Submitting the same paper in more than one class. 5. Informing a student in a later class about questions on tests or quizzes. 6. Misrepresenting your academic work or qualifications in any way. Full details about plagiarism, academic dishonesty and penalties are available in the Academic Honor Code in the Academic Bulletin. 12. STRATEGIES TO PREVENT PLAGIARIM & VIOLATIONS OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY The teacher will follow the strict academic code against such violations. 13. CLASS BEHAVIOUR Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and arrive on time. Participation is crucial in this course and therefore students will be expected to participate in class discussions, group work and other interactive activities. 10
14. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION Please remember that your teacher is here to help and guide you as much as they possibly can, so please do not be afraid to make use of this support. If you are struggling or require further support, please meet with your instructor or the course work study assistant. NB: contents of the course outline maybe modified based on students competency. Any changes will be notified before regular classes begin 11