EL502: Reading and Culture I (0 credits)
Adjunct Instructor in ESL
Spring 2005 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
This
10-week course strengthens academic reading skills through the study of culture
and theological terms. Every week, students practice reading strategies that
enable students to read faster, build comprehension, and sharpen study
skills. Students read a variety of
texts and perform reading tasks that are typical of seminary study. In particular, students read to understand the values, attitudes, and cultural patterns of their
own culture as well as other cultures. Students
discover insights into cultures and develop communication skills that will
enhance cross-cultural participation.
Thus, reading stimulates dynamic interaction of language skills and
cultural learning.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Language
Objectives
• Strengthen academic reading
skills for greater comprehension and speed
• Develop effective study skills and critical thinking skills for reading
assignments
• Increase confidence and proficiency in other language skills, especially
conversational fluency
• Build up theological vocabulary to
understand theological material more clearly
• Gain exposure to a variety of Christian literature and themes common in
seminary
Cross-Cultural Objectives
• Provide an understanding of mainstream American culture, including
cultural uses of English,
values, behaviors, and cultural diversity within the United States
• Increase knowledge and communication skills to address cultural conflict
& adjustment
• Explain specific American patterns of communication that can lead to
misunderstandings
• Describe patterns of communication and culture that contrast with American
patterns
COURSE FORMAT:
Students
actively engage in different types of academic reading, exercises, small group
work, presentations, lectures, and discussions.
REQUIRED READING:
Datesman, Maryanne K., JoAnn Crandall, and Edward N.
Kearny. The American Ways: An
Introduction to American Culture. (2nd ed.) Prentice Hall
Regents, 1997.
Dodd, Debbie. Dictionary of Theological
Terms in Simplified English. Evangelism and Missions Information Service
(EMIS), 2003.
Pierson, Cheri. Dictionary of Theological
Terms in Simplified English: Student Workbook. Evangelism and Missions
Information Service (EMIS), 2003.
Langan, John. Ten Steps to Improving
College Reading Skills. (4th ed.) Townsend Press, 2003.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Levine,
Deena R., Jim Baxter, and Piper McNutty.
The Culture Puzzle: Cross-Cultural
Communication for English as a Second Language. Prentice Hall Regents, 1987.
Levine, Deena R. and Mara B. Adelman. Beyond
Language: Cross-Cultural Communication. (2nd ed.) Prentice Hall Regents, 1993.
Folse, Keith S. Intermediate Reading Practices: Building Reading & Vocabulary
Skills. (Revised edition)
University of Michigan Press, 1993.
Baudoin, Margaret E. et al. Reader’s
Choice. (3rd ed.) Univ.
of Michigan Press, 1994.
ASSIGNMENTS:
This
noncredit course is “Satisfactory” or “Not Satisfactory.” The following requirements are designed to
strengthen cultural and English language fluency, particularly reading skills:
• Class
participation and preparation (weekly reading, oral and written assignments)
• Cultural
Observation Report (250 words)
• Reading Log of
1000 pages and 4 Reading Report Forms
• Integration
Paper (1250 words)
• Big Book Group
Project
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO
CURRICULUM: Meets partial requirements to advance within the ESL Program.
FINAL EXAM: ESL Exit
Exam.