EL507: Reading and Culture II (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. Students in EL507 must demonstrate a higher level of mastery of English language skills than those used in EL502.

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. (2^nd 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. (4^th 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
In addition to these assignments, EL507 students complete the following:
• 4 book reports that must be different from the 4 books previously read in EL502;
• written and oral assignments that interact with the text chapters;
• outside of class, 2 hours per week reading theological literature.

PREREQUISITES: EL502 Reading and Culture 1

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets partial requirements to advance within the ESL Program.

FINAL EXAM: ESL Exit Exam.

Last Date Edited: December 14, 2004