HUM 112: Introduction to American Language & Culture
4 credits--CRN #31759
GE Communication (CO)
MTRF 11-11:50 ACK 104

"Culture hides much more than it reveals, and strangely enough what it hides, it hides most effectively from its own participants."
Edward T. Hall

Instructor: Nancy Knowles, Loso Hall 146, 962-3795, nknowles@eou.edu
Office Hours: M noon-1 PM, TR 2-3 PM and by appointment
Course Home Page: http://www.eou.edu/~nknowles/fall2005/hum112.html

Prerequisite: TOEFL score of 490-520 and consent of instructor.

Catalogue Description: This course is designed for high-intermediate English as a Second Language (ESL) learners. Students will study American language proficiency and acculturation to North America and its system of higher education. The four modes of language learning will be stressed--speaking, listening, reading, and writing, with additional emphasis on grammar.

Required Texts available in class and online:
Required Attendance at five campus events of your choice. Please choose a variety of events with at least one outside your regular interests.

General Education Mission: The General Education Program at Eastern Oregon University challenges students to become critical, creative thinkers and engaged, knowledgeable citizens, open to new ways of looking at the world.

GE Outcomes for Communication

Upon completion of HUM 112 students should be able to:
  1. Communicate effectively by means of active listening, public speaking, collaborating, analytical reading and academic writing in the diverse situations encountered as educated citizens,
  2. Adjust presentations according to subject, occasion, audience, and purpose, and
  3. Be able to communicate effectively using appropriate symbolic technological systems.
Means of Assessment and Grading: (each related to all three outcomes listed above)
 Grading information, rules, and guidelines common to all my syllabi

Link to HUM 112 Assignments page: http://www.eou.edu/~nknowles/fall2005/hum112assign.html

Schedule:

Readings will be assigned, and this schedule may be revised during class time.
Attend 5 campus events outside class and write postings about them.

Date
 Class Activities
 Assignments Due
Week 1
9/26M		 Course Introduction
Diagnostic Writing
  
9/27T
 In-class reading, writing and discussion
  
9/29R
 In-class reading, writing and discussion  
9/30F
 No class
  
 
  
  
Week 2
10/3M
 Meet in Pierce Library computer lab
 Bring paper for printing
Print two American news articles
10/4T
 Meet in Pierce Library computer lab
 Bring paper for printing
Print one international news article from each country you're responsible for
Print one literary text
10/6R
 In-class reading, writing and discussion
 Bring texts printed above to class
10/7F
 No class
  
 
  
  
Week 3
10/10M
 In-class reading, writing and discussion
 Submit first American news posting to me on paper
Bring texts printed above to class
10/11T
 Meet in Pierce Library computer lab
 Bring texts printed above to class
Post first and second American news postings to the discussion board
Respond to the postings of others
10/13R
10/14F
 No class
 Post first and second international news postings to the discussion board
Post first literary posting to the discussion board
Respond to the postings of others
 
  
  
Week 4
10/17M
 Presentation 1
 Print and bring two new American news articles
10/18T
 Presentation 2
 Print and bring two new international news articles
10/20R
 Presentation 3
 Print and bring one new literary text
10/21F
 Proofreading--attendance mandatory
  
 
  
  
Week 5
10/24M
 Presentation 4
 Post third and fourth American news postings to the discussion board
Respond to the postings of others
10/25T
 Presentation 5
 Post third and fourth international news postings to the discussion board
Respond to the postings of others
10/27R
 Presentation 6
 Post second literary posting to the discussion board
Respond to the postings of others
10/28F
 Brainstorm Position Posting
Mid-Term Reflection
  
 
  
  
Week 6
10/31M
 Halloween: dress up?
Presentation 8
 Print and bring one American news article
11/1T
 Presentation 9
 Print and bring one international news article
11/3R
 Response Groups--attendance mandatory
 Bring three copies of first position posting
11/4F
 Presentation 10
 Print and bring one literary text
 
  
  
Week 7
11/7M
 Film
 Post fifth American news posting to the discussion board
Respond to the postings of others
11/8T
 Film
 Post fifth international news posting to the discussion board
Respond to the postings of others
11/10R
 Film
 Post first position posting to the discussion board
Respond to the postings of others
11/11F
 No class
 Post film posting and respond to the postings of others
 
  
  
Week 8
11/14M
 Proofreading
Discuss Project
 Print and bring one literary text
11/15T
 Presentation 11
 Print and bring one literary text
11/17R
11/18F
 No class
 Post third and fourth literary postings to the discussion board
Respond to the postings of others
 
  
  
Week 9
11/21M
 Presentation 12
 Print and bring one literary text
11/22T
 Presentation 13
 Bring ideas for Project
11/24R
11/25F
 No class--Thanksgiving
  
 
  
  
Week 10
11/28M
 Presentation 14
 Post fifth literary posting to the discussion board
Respond to the postings of others
11/29T
 Response Groups--attendance mandatory
 Bring three copies of second position posting
12/1R
 Presentation 15
  
12/2F
 Course evaluations
 Bring ideas for Project
Post second position posting to the discussion board
Respond to the postings of others
 
  
  
Final
12/6T
 8-10 AM: Present Project
 Bring Project, project self-evaluation, and course bibliography