Class time will be devoted to activities that allow you to practice and interact in English. To successfully complete the course, you must prepare the assigned homework prior to class and, while in class actively participate in class discussions and pair/group work. Your final grades are determined by the following course components:

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  Participation & Attendance: 20%

  
  


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  Oral presentation: 20%

  
  


• 
  

  Written assignments: 20%

  
  


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  Midterm exam & quizzes: 20%

  
  


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  Final project: 20%

  
  

Participation

Your participation grade will be based on your attendance, homework preparation, and the contribution you make to the learning experience of others. Contribution includes your in-class questions to the instructor, insights and comments regarding class content, answers to the instructor’s questions, and reactions to other students’ contributions.

In-class exercises/quizzes

Periodically throughout the semester, writing/listening exercises and pop quizzes will be given in class. These exercises and quizzes can NOT be made up.

Oral presentations

You will give an individual oral report and a group presentation during the semester. For the individual report, you will give a three-minute demonstration speech on anything that you are good ate doing or making. For the group presentation, you and three other students will research and present your view on a controversial topic. The presentation should be approximately 20 minutes, followed by a 10-minute discussion. Each group should meet with the instructor two weeks prior to their presentation to discuss their topic and present their outline. Following the presentation, they will submit a group written report. More details will be provided in class.

Written assignments

In addition to the periodic in-class and take-home writing exercises, there will be three written assignments based on the online learning materials for the course. In each assignment, you will respond to the writing prompts regarding a cross-cultural issue. Your papers should show you have completed and thought seriously and critically about the readings and videos provided for you. You are also encouraged to research the topic and cite your sources. The grading rubric for the written assignments is available on the class website.

Examinations

All materials, including the readings, handouts, and information provided in class will potentially be included on mid-term and final exams. The mid-term exam is a written test, and the final exam contains a written test and a speaking test. The written tests include vocabulary/grammar questions, a listening/reading section, and short writing tasks. The speaking test requires you to answer two or more questions, each question for two minutes. The instructor will evaluate your ability to respond to the questions appropriately and to speak for an extended period of time without hesitation, deviation or repetition. The grading rubric for the speaking test is available on the class website. No make-up exams will be given unless you have received the instructor’s permission in advance.

Final project

Throughout the semester, you will work on a group project related to topics covered in class. The group project requires you to apply what you have learned. You will need to conduct thorough survey, in-depth research, data analysis, and critical thinking skills to analyze social phenomena that concern you. More details will be provided in class.

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The textbook and materials listed below are for example only.

? Perspectives 4 Amanda Jeffries; Lewis Lansford; Daniel Barber. 2018. Cengage.

? Supplementary readings: To be distributed in class. 

? Study materials:

(a) Politically Correct Dictionary [Reading]

http://www.academia.edu/6735062/politically_correct_dictionary

(b) Racist Warning on the Tom and Jerry Cartoons

? Why Tom And Jerry Now Comes With A Racism Warning [Reading]

http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Why-Tom-Jerry-Now-Comes-With-Racism-Warning-67631.html

? Tom and Jerry - Introduction by Whoopi Goldberg [Video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_oEOdIBOpU&list=PLVkWczZMrm_pb1i3uYEI9Uv1ZPRNkPT0A

(a) How to be Politically Correct [Reading]

http://www.ehow.com/how_2238710_be-politically-correct.html

(b) American Hand Gestures in Different Cultures - 7 Ways to Get Yourself in Trouble Abroad [Video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWFPHW7BCCI

(c) Cultural Proxemics: Personal Space [Video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OFAm-VHATw

(d) How Different Cultures Tell Time - Sana Reynolds [Video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgzmKHDfSPM

(e) Top 10 Nonverbal Communication Tips [Reading]

https://www.verywell.com/top-nonverbal-communication-tips-2795400

(f) Globalization

1. Globalization easily explained [Video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ0nFD19eT8

2. Globalization of Starbucks [Video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-KKy-03O5A

3. 5 life lessons from Disney movies [Reading]

https://novakdjokovicfoundation.org/what-can-your-kids-learn-from-disney-movies/

4. Can Disney cartoons make your child nicer? [Reading]

https://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/can_disney_cartoons_make_your_child_nicer

5. How dangerous is Disney? Impact of Disney movies on global culture [Video]

https://tw.voicetubcom/videos/43311 

(g) Glocalization 

1. What is Glocalization? [Video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AH-wx-Qz52A

2. McDonald’s Global and Local Strategy: Examples of Food in McDonald’s and KFC that goes local [Video]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6coDUDCJ10

3. Defining a localization strategy: How do logos fit into your global plans? [Reading]

https://www.sajan.com/defining-localization-strategy-logos-fit-global-plans/

(h) The issue of outsourcing according to the Simpsons cartoon [2 videos]

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFH71CkKowU

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHeLkdTuw-8

? Resources:

VoiceTube: https://tw.voicetube.com

BBC Learning English: http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish

TED talks: https://www.ted.com/talks