Miyazaki International College Course Syllabus Course Title ENT2-1 English Tutorial (credits) Course N/A Designation for TC Content Teacher Instructor Dr. Katherine E. Bishop Email Address kbishop@sky.miyazaki-mic.ac.jp Office/Ext. MIC 1-211/ext. 726 Office Hours Posted on office door Language Teacher Not applicable COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is a continuation of English Tutorial 1 and will continue skill development on an individual basis. Students in this course will produce one or more polished works of expository prose in addition to other work on the four skills. This course will be taught on an individual or small-group basis. It will begin with analysis of the student's skill level in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The student and instructor will set objectives for improvement of English skills and work together to achieve the objectives. If appropriate, assignments in this course may be coordinated with work done in a content course. In this individual or small-group course we will work to develop advanced writing and reading skills. We will begin by assessing the student s or students needs. We will then look at the building blocks of writing: prefixes and suffixes, sentences, paragraphs, argumentation, and organization, transitions, and so on. We will move onto ways to use quotations, citations, paraphrasing, and advanced punctuation and vocabulary words. Along the way, we will work through a number of advanced readings, including poems and at least one novel. The students will choose many of their own readings (with approval of the instructor) and shape many of their own lessons under the guidance of the instructor, firmly taking charge of their educational goals and pursuits. Requirements for the course include active class participation, keeping a vocabulary list, bringing a question to class each day, writing several short papers and one longer essay, completing varied assignments, and taking a final exam.
All other readings can be found with our blog on our course website: print out all electronic readings and bring them to class with you. COURSE GOALS & OBJECTIVES The course aims to: Help you to significantly increase your critical reading and writing skills, your mastery of communication (writing, listening, presenting), and your overall proficiency in English. CLASS PREPARATION & REVIEW TIME Students are expected to spend at least one hour preparing for every hour of lesson time and one hour reviewing and doing homework. While we will take up different tasks each week, you will always need to arm yourself as follows: Read the assigned texts, noting and looking up new vocabulary. Add your new vocabulary to your vocabulary list. Think critically about the texts. Come to class with questions, comments, musings, and opinions about the reading. Keep a daily reading journal. Review: Go over your notes from class and from your reading, paying close attention to new vocabulary and concepts. COURSE SCHEDULE Lesson Topic Content 1 Unit One: Identifying as a Reader and Writer Course introduction: What are you as a reader and writer? 2 Unit One: Identifying as a Reader and Writer Self-assessment, begin Thesaurus 3 Unit Two: The Subtleties of Language Thesaurus and humor Thesis statements 4 Unit Two: The Subtleties of Language In a Station of the Metro and imagery 5 Unit Two: The Subtleties of Language The Giver 6 Unit Two: The Subtleties of Language The Giver 7 Unit Two: The Subtleties of Language The Giver 8 Unit Two: The Subtleties of Language The Giver
Unit Two: The Subtleties of Language The Giver 9 10 Unit Two: The Subtleties of Language The Giver 11 Unit Two: The Subtleties of Language The Giver 12 Unit Two: The Subtleties of Language The Giver 13 Unit Two: The Subtleties of Language The Giver 14 Unit Two: The Subtleties of Language The Giver 15 Unit Two: The Subtleties of Language The Giver 16 Unit Three: Metaphors and Cultural Critique Politics of the English Language 17 Unit Three: Metaphors and Cultural Critique Politics of the English Language 18 Unit Three: Metaphors and Cultural Critique Politics of the English Language 19 Unit Three: Metaphors and Cultural Critique Politics of the English Language 20 Unit Three: Metaphors and Cultural Critique The Lottery 21 Unit Three: Metaphors and Cultural Critique The Lottery 22 Unit Three: Metaphors and Cultural Critique The Lottery 23 Unit Three: Metaphors and Cultural Critique The Lottery 24 Unit Three: Metaphors and Cultural Critique The Lottery
25 Unit Four: Examining Perspectives and 26 Unit Four: Examining Perspectives and 27 Unit Four: Examining Perspectives and 28 Unit Four: Examining Perspectives and 29 Unit Four: Examining Perspectives and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty Compare the film and short story 30 Perpetual War Review Final Exam NOTES: COURSE POLICIES Because discussion is key and many assignments will be completed in class, participation is vital to this course. If you are not in class, you cannot earn participation points for the day for class discussion or take quizzes. Missing more than three classes will severely limit your ability to participate, so every missed class after that will result in the loss of a half letter grade from your participation grade.* If you need to miss class, please let me know, so we can help you to catch up. Everyone is expected to thoughtfully add to our dialogue both in the classroom and in our online discussions. As some of our course material is controversial or sensitive and may contain adult content, respectful discussion is especially crucial. I reserve the right to ask anyone to leave at any time. Academic Honesty: It is essential that you use your own ideas in this class and submit your own work in this class. Beware plagiarism! It is the biggest monster of them all don t fall prey to its charms! Only with your own interpretations can you slay the beast. Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else s work as your own, whether it be direct, undocumented quotation of words, phrases or sentences, or undocumented paraphrasing of original ideas, thoughts or content. Neglecting to acknowledge sources for outside material is a serious, punishable offense and will result in failure of the assignment and possibly the course.
We all stand on the shoulders of giants. Properly citing other authors is OK but do not copy ideas from other people or books and pass them off as your own. (Don t worry, we ll talk about how to cite in class.) *To clarify: I understand that things happen: we all get sick and have family emergencies. However, please try not to schedule doctor s appointments during class or take too many mental health days. Office Hours: You don t need an appointment for my regularly scheduled office hours. In fact, I encourage you to come and talk to me about the class, assignments, readings, and so on. If you have questions, concerns, or comments, this is a great time to discuss them. If you can t make it to my office hours, I will strive to meet you at a different time. You can email me to make an appointment (please wait for a response). As with all emails, I will reply within 24 hours. Questions: If questions or concerns related to this course arise, please feel free to discuss it with me during office hours or by appointment. Any questions or concerns regarding a grade received must be discussed within ten business days. Please bring grade-related concerns in writing to my office hours or an appointment, including any argument for a higher or lower grade. Emails requesting an appointment to discuss a grade are encouraged though emailed contestations are not. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated. Discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origins, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity is prohibited. Please be respectful of others. ASSIGNMENTS All assignments should be typed and submitted per the instructions on the assignment sheet. I will only accept emailed assignments with prior approval. Detailed assignment sheets outlining expectations for projects, responses, reflections, presentations, and your portfolio will be given to you in class and will be available on our class website. GRADES & GRADING On assignments: A grade: Insightful thesis, persuasive argument, ample evidence, creative and original thought that displays risk-taking, and excellent writing skills. Reserved for course work that demonstrates genuine innovation, thought-provoking, sophisticated prose, and active, genuine engagement. B grade: Sound thesis, sound argument, sufficient evidence, good writing skills. Above average work, but not as polished, deeply engaged, or thoroughly insightful as an A. C grade: Fulfills the requirements adequately but without overall sparkle or unexpected insight. Doing average work means you didn t go above and beyond expectations here but might have done so elsewhere. It s a valid life choice. It just won t earn you an A or B. D and F grades: Poorly formulated or missing thesis, little or no analysis, bad organization, inadequate evidence, lack of attention to assignment prompt, poor writing skills, and/or academic dishonesty.
In the course: As with your assignments, energy, enthusiasm, and polish will help you to earn an A. Participate actively, engage with the readings and the discussion, and push yourself. To earn a B, work a little less hard than you would for an A. To earn a C, do average work, miss more than three class discussions, and fail to share your ideas much with others. To earn a D or F, miss many class discussions, fail to turn in assignments, and/or practice academic dishonesty. Grades will be broken down as follows: Assignments: 30% Essays: 30% Final Exam: 10% In-class Participation: 15% Portfolio (including vocabulary and concept lists): 10% Questions: 5% v I retain the right to amend this syllabus as necessary during the course of the semester. v