Reading the world with critical eyes (Online)

Project

Keywords:
Business English, Culture, Vocabulary

Fully Online (planned to have all 12 scheduled meetings online. )

We shall read news articles on a wide range of world affairs. The course aims to develop students' (i) reading skills, (ii) vocabulary and (iii) understanding of the issues our world is facing. We start with articles from The Economist and later more liberty will be given to text selection. When reading a text, not just Japanese translation but other approaches, e.g. paragraph summary, logical anaysis, and English paraphrase, will also be adopted.

For additional info: https://coglxremote.blogspot.com/p/teaching.html

Students will be able to read news articles with critical eyes. They will significantly expand vocabulary, and either refresh or enhance their knowledge of grammar-in-use. At the same time, students will learn about what is happening in different parts of the world (and why), which will help to build up their commonsense.

final exam: 50%
midterm exam: 25%
class activity: 25%
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1	Setting the common ground: brief intro to the course and quick preview of the text
2	Phase 1: reading news articles by combining the skills of skim reading and close reading
3	Phase 1: reading news articles by combining the skills of skim reading and close reading
4	Phase 1: reading news articles by combining the skills of skim reading and close reading
5	Phase 1: reading news articles by combining the skills of skim reading and close reading
6	Midterm exam (written exam, vocabulary review and testing of reading skills)
7	Phase 2: more extensive reading and discussion / presentation; students are encouraged to supply additional materials and ideas to have more fun.
8	Phase 2: more extensive reading and discussion / presentation; students are encouraged to supply additional materials and ideas to have more fun.
9	Phase 3: more extensive reading and discussion / presentation; students may pick up articles they find interesting and report on them
10	Phase 3: more extensive reading and discussion / presentation; students may pick up articles they find interesting and report on them
11	Phase 3: more extensive reading and discussion / presentation; students may pick up articles they find interesting and report on them
12	Final exam (depending on the number of participants, I will choose between written exam and presentation).
13	Extra activity (to be done during Phrase 1): Read widely and think about the topic of your presentation and final essay.
14	Extra activity (to be done during Phase 2): Prepare your midterm report in the form of PowerPoint slides.
15	Extra activity (to be during Phase 3): Prepare your final report incorporating the feedback from class and the instructor.

Students are encouraged to learn about the background of each article, e.g. historical and geopolitical information and the profile of key persons. Also, it is advised that students have a critical perspective: do not take what is said in the article at face value. Feel free to question whatever evidence provided in the text and bring it to the discussion period. [Japanese will be used in the class as language of instruction, but speaking up in English will also be welcome. クラスの授業は日本語で行いますが、英語で話すことも歓迎です]