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2019　English 8 17-LS

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Academic unit or major
English language courses
Instructor(s)
Mitchell Jon 
Class Format
Exercise     
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Mon5-6(4ラボ)  
Group
17-LS
Course number
LAE.E214
Credits
1
Academic year
2019
Offered quarter
4Q
Syllabus updated
2019/3/18
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
Japanese
Access Index

Course description and aims

Based on English 7, English 8 is designed to improve students’ English language skills for academic purposes and provide them with more knowledge in relevant areas. The materials include topics such as international and intercultural issues as well as current topics of science and technology. Expectations require students to practice: reading academic articles, listening to English lectures, speaking before an audience, and developing skills to write paragraphs and short essays.

Student learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will:
・be able to express their ideas and opinions in classes confidently
・be able to write paragraphs or short essays
・be able to better understand academic lectures
・practice effective reading strategies

Keywords

Four language skills, fostering international awareness, communication, studying abroad, TOEFL

Competencies that will be developed

Specialist skills ✔ Intercultural skills ✔ Communication skills Critical thinking skills Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

This quarter follows a similar approach as English 7 to explore a variety of academic social issues.
The course is divided into three 2-class cycles - each of which is based upon a chapter from the textbook, Academic Encounters - Life in Society 3. In the first class of each cycle, we will listen to an academic lecture and complete notes on its contents. In the second class, you will give a presentation on a topic related to the issue.
There will also be an introduction class and a final review.
These classes will focus upon the two key skills of listening and speaking. The emphasis is on preparation for academic situations - including TOEFL - and we will study skills which include note-taking, conducting surveys and planning presentations.
In the first class of each chapter, we will explore the vocabulary, concepts and cultural background related to the issue. This will be followed by a real-life video lecture - after which you will complete notes on the subject.
In the second class, we will expand the issue. We will study related ideas from the textbook and we will conduct pair presentations on the topic.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Mass Media Today 1 Freedom of the Press is the foundation of modern democracies. This first class will explore the work of journalists - including the dangers of the job - by listening to an academic lecture.
Class 2 Mass Media Today 2 We will continue the previous week’s topic by planning and preparing short balanced arguments related to the role of the media in the 21st century.
Class 3 Impact of the Media on Our Lives 1 In this class, we will explore the need for media literacy. Particularly nowadays, we are bombarded with a flood of information from the internet. This class explores - via a video lecture - the pitfalls of the media and whether it can be addictive and misleading.
Class 4 Impact of the Media on Our Lives 2 Students will listen to classmates’ discussions of one media-related topic. After this, they will decide which was the most persuasive and write a short reaction paper explaining the reasons for their choice.
Class 5 Crime and Criminals 1 This class will explore the controversial subject of crime - including lenient treatment of “white-collar” criminals and international differences between attitudes to morality.
Class 6 Crime and Criminals 2 Following on from the previous week, students will discuss how different countries attempt to define what is right and wrong. Is there such a thing as objective morality? Also, we will have time to prepare for next week’s final discussions.
Class 7 Controlling Crime Bringing together the skills from all of this quarter, students will give short talks about the role of punishment in the 21st century - with a focus on different countries’ attitudes.
Class 8 Review and final exam Review and final exam

Textbook(s)

Academic Encounters - Life in Society 3

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Useful sources will be referred to as necessary.

Assessment criteria and methods

One pair presentation 25%
Bi-weekly lecture notes 50%
Final exam 25%

Related courses

  • LAE.E111 ： English 1
  • LAE.E112 ： English 2
  • LAE.E113 ： English 3
  • LAE.E114 ： English 4
  • LAE.E211 ： English 5
  • LAE.E212 ： English 6
  • LAE.E213 ： English 7
  • LAE.E311 ： English 9

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

None

Other

None.

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