EL502: Reading and Culture I (0 credits)
Jinjoo Kwak, Adjunct Instructor in ESL
Fall 2004 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 EXAMINATION: ESL Exit Exam.