The schedule below is tentative and subject to change based on the students’ particular needs during the semester. I reserve the right to modify the class requirements and/or responsibilities if needed. All changes made will be further announced in the class.

Week

Date

Course Content and Assigned Reading

Assignments

Students’ learning hours

1

2/27

1. Presentation on the winter reading (plot, theme, style, research, etc.)


2. Discussions and comments on the chosen literary work


3. Study of a sample English book review

1. Preparing a personal “Book Review” of 800 words on the chosen literary work


2. Previewing the reading of the next week

6+3

2

3/06

1. Presentation on Chapter 12 Argument: “A More Perfect Union” (pp 560-73)


2. Peer review of the book review

1. Book review revision


2. Previewing the reading for the next week

6+3

3

3/13

1. Presentation on Chapter 12 Argument: “Plagiarism Lines Blur for Students in Digital Age” (pp 618-22)


2. Study of a sample English film review

1. Writing a film review of 800 words


2. Previewing the reading for the next week

6+3

4

3/20

1. Peer review of the film review


2. Presentation on Chapter 12 Argument: “What’s the Matter with Kids Today?” (pp 635-39)

1. Film review revision


2. Previewing the reading for the next week

6+3

5

3/27

1. Presentation on Chapter 9 Classification: “Mother Tongue” (pp 345-51)


2. Study of a sample English film review

1. Writing an English cover letter of 800 words


2. Previewing the reading for the next week

6+3

6

4/03

1. Peer review of the cover letter


2. Presentation on Chapter 5 Description: “Once More to the Lake” (pp 163-69)

1. Revision of the cover letter


2. Previewing the readings for the next week

6+3

7

4/10

1. Presentation on Chapter 5 Description: “American Smooth” (pp 170-72)


2. Presentation on Chapter 13 Combining the Methods: “Fishing on the Susquehanna in July” (pp 696-98)


3. Presentation on a self-chosen poem

1. Review the previous readings and critical analyses


2. Reflecting on the research project


3. Thinking about the structure, thesis statement, sources needed, etc. of the project

6+3

8

4/17

1. Library tour: search for pertinent academic sources to cite


2. Preparing a working bibliography for the project

1. Preparing a working bibliography and quotations to cite


2. Preparing a presentation on a research project

6+3

9

4/24

Individual Conference I (About the research project)

Research paper draft of 1500-2000 words

6+3

10

5/01

1. Presentation on the research project with prepared handouts (title, approach, contribution, etc.)


2. Discussions and comments on the peers’ research projects


3. Study of a sample English research proposal: Thesis Statement / Outline / Abstract / Bibliography

1. Refining the title and scope of one’s research project


2. Writing the research proposal: Thesis Statement / Outline / Abstract / Bibliography

6+3

11

5/08

1. Peer review of the research proposal


2. Peer review of the working bibliography


3. Review Appendix on MLA Style: Using Sources in Your Writing (pp 699-733)

1. Research proposal revision


2. Working bibliography revision


3. Review Appendix on MLA Style: Using Sources in Your Writing (pp 699-733)

6+3

12

5/15

1. Presentation on the literature review with prepared handouts


2. Presentation on the research approach(es) and methodology with prepared handouts

1. Synthesizing previous study, readings, presentations, discussions, and comments into a well-organized research paper


2. Double-checking the research paper

6+3

13

5/22

1. Presentation on a chosen academic research paper with prepared handouts


2. Discussions and comments on the presentation and the paper

1. Imitating the style, structure and argumentation of the chosen paper


2. Working on the research paper

6+3

14

5/29

1. Presentation on a chosen academic research paper with prepared handouts


2. Discussions and comments on the presentation and the paper

1. Imitating the style, structure and argumentation of the chosen paper


2. Working on the research paper

6+3

15

6/05

1. Peer review of the research paper draft


2. Discussions and comments on the peers’ research paper draft

1. Research paper draft revision


2. Double-checking the research paper draft revision

6+3

16

6/12

1. Peer review of the research paper draft


2. Discussions and comments on the peers’ research paper draft

1. Research paper draft revision


2. Double-checking the research paper draft revision

6+3

17

6/19

Individual Conference II (About Final Research Paper Revision)

Final Research Paper Revision

6+3

18

6/26

Final Research Paper and its Final Revision Due

6+3