N/A

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:

• Participation & Attendance: 20%


• Oral presentation: 20%


• Exams & assignments: 40%


• 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 tell a 5-minute personal anecdote. For the group presentation, you and three other students will report on a current event. The presentation should be approximately 15 minutes, followed by a 5-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 the midterm exam. The midterm exam tests all four skills in English. The listening/reading part contains multiple choice questions. The written test includes 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.

 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:
  
  
  
  1. Dimensions of national culture [Reading]
  
  
  
  

http://geert-hofstede.com/national-culture.html

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   2. Country comparison [Reading]
   
   
   
   

http://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html

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   3. Applications of national culture [Reading]
   
   
   
   

http://geert-hofstede.com/applications.html

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   4. Hofstede's six cultural dimensions [6 videos]
      
      
      
      
      • Hofstede on Individualism versus Collectivism
        
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQj1VPNPHlI
      
      
      • Hofstede on Power Distance
        
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqAJclwfyCw
      
      
      • Hofstede on Uncertainty Avoidance
        
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZF6LyGne7Q
      
      
      • Hofstede on Masculine versus Femininity
        
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pyr-XKQG2CM
      
      
      • Hofstede on Long versus Short Term Orientation
        
        https://www.youtubcom/watch?v=H8ygYIGsIQ4
      
      
      • Hofstede on Indulgence versus Restraint
        
        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0YgGdzmFtA
      
      
      
      
   
   
   5. Host Chris Rock rapped over Asian-American 'joke' [Video]
      
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9tgjD1B2EA
   
   
   6. Chris Rock criticized after Asian joke at Oscars [Video]
      
      https://youtu.be/0yW1cYWvTMQ
   
   
   7. People Aren’t Happy With Chris Rock’s Asian Joke At The Academy Awards [Reading]
      
      http://www.buzzfeed.com/krishrach/people-are-unhappy-with-all-the-asian-
   
   
   
   

jokes-made-at-the-acad#.kaoqwmK03

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   8. Donald Trump vs Barack Obama: Talking About Women [Video]
      
      https://youtu.be/V9hhOWGxxmw
   
   
   1. The Origins of Stereotypes [Reading]
      
      http://aps.psychologicalscience.org/convention/program_2014/search/viewProgram.cfm?
   
   
   
   

Abstract_ID=29772&AbType=1&AbAuthor=&Subject_ID=&Day_ID=71&keyword

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   10. Stereotypes and Prejudices
       
       http://remember.org/guide/history-root-stereotypes
   
   
   11. College Classroom Culture [5 Videos]
       
       
       
       • Be on Time to Class. Americans Appreciate it
         
         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piQmXLLl5Mk
       
       
       • How are Discussions Carried out in U.S. Classrooms vs. Other Countries?
         
         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4fzd_Vbhv4
       
       
       • Deadlines are not Flexible in the U.S.
         
         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gPjg6iWbkQ
       
       
       • How do you React if you are Uncomfortable in the Classroom?
         
         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruYCtS7f7Qo&index=83&list=PLEWYDE6Ehtrk1c 506BkMgybMuK1COvhsa
       
       
       • Do U.S. Students Like Having International Students in Class
         
         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrOLDK5SVwc&list=PLEWYDE6Ehtrk1c506Bk MgybMuK1COvhsa&index=85
       
       
       
       
   
   
   
   

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   50. Formal and informal classroom culture in the U.S. [2 videos]
       
       
       
       
       • Living in the U.S. – Formal Classroom Culture
         
         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzHEtFDBoks
       
       
       • Living in the U.S. – Informal Classroom Culture
         
         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGBE4zlevRI
       
       
       
       
   
   
   
   

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   1000. A Conversation with Chinese and American Students [Video]
         
         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX_7NuOWYMk
   
   
   14. How Do American, Chinese and French Students Characterize their Teachers’ Communication? [Reading]
       
       http://www.immi.se/intercultural/nr38/brassier.html
   
   
   
   

• Resources:

VoiceTube: https://tw.voicetube.com

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

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