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 before class and, while in class, actively participate in class discussions and pair/group work. All materials, including the written text, handouts, and any information spoken in class or written on the board will potentially be included on quizzes. Take notes. Keep all of the work you do during the course until after the final grades have been announced. 

Final grades will be determined by the following:

• Participation and quizzes: 20%


• Assignments: 50%


• Midterm oral presentation: 15%


• Final written exam: 15%

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism: It is expected that students will do all of their own workin this class. Copying and cheating of any sort, including use of online/electronic (AI) writing generators to create content, is not acceptable. If any are detected, the student will, at minimum, receive “0” for that assignment or exam. Regarding plagiarism in writing assignments, the student will have the opportunity to rewrite the assignment. If there is a second infraction, the student will fail the class. Using others’ ideas without acknowledging the source is plagiarism.

Late work: Late work is not accepted, except in certain circumstances such as illness or family matters. Contact Dr. Sheridan in advance to request an extension. If you miss a class, do not assume you can hand in the work the following week. The work may not be graded or recorded. If it is graded, 10% will be deducted from the grade.

For online Moodle assignments, the assignment closes one hour after class ends on the due date.

Participation

Your participation grade will be based on your attendance, preparation, and contribution to the learning experience of others.

• Attendance will be taken at most class meetings (2 points). If you are not yet present when role is called, let me know so you can be marked “late” (1 Point). If you are ill or will be absent for a good reason, let me know in advance (1 point). You may receive points for attendance if you are representing your department or NCCU in an activity or participating in another worthwhile event. Let me know if you are ill. You will not be allowed to participate in the final exam (presentation and written) if you are absent without good reason for 6 class meetings.  

• Contribution includes your attention to what is happening in class, in-class questions, creative insights and comments regarding class content, answers to the instructor’s questions, and reactions to other students’ contributions.
  
  
  
  
  • Reading materials for other classes, texting, doing non-class related work on a computer or other devise will count against your participation grade.
  
  
  
  

Homework must be done and printed, when hard copies are required, prior to the beginning of class. Moodle uploading:

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  • Due Date/Time is the hour that class starts on the due date.
  
  
  • Cut-off is one hour after class on the due date. Nothing can be uploaded after this time.
  
  
  • Do not wait until the last minute to upload your work to Moodle because you may have technical problems.
  
  
  • Points may be deducted for inappropriate file names and late submission.
  
  
  • Bonus points may be added for excellent uploading and file name practices
  
  
  
  

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. Quizzes are delivered online through Moodle, Kahoot! or Google Forms.

Oral presentations

Oral discussion and presentations will be regular activities during class. In addition, you will prepare materials and questions to interview another classmate about a topic related to issues in national cultures. You will also research an international airport and present your findings to the class.

Cross-cultural Exchange Activities

This syllabus is shared by four sections of College English II: two are primarily Taiwanese students and two are primarily international students. This provides a unique opportunity for cross-cultural exchange by pairing each Taiwanese group with an international group for special activities. These activities will take place on line (most likely on a FB Group Page for each pair and in person). The activities overlap with some of the course outcomes and learning objectives. You will:

• Post a self-introduction video


• Post an article of your choice on a country-specific topic with a short summary


• You will also read and comment on articles posted by classmates from the other class


• Get together with a partner from your class to interview a pair from the other class to learn about their views on the cultural topic and their experiences as freshmen at NCCU


• Respond to reflection questions about the exchange experience

Written assignments

• Article analysis and reaction (using the article you choose for the exchange activities)


• A statement of purpose for a student exchange program, scholarship, or internship.

Your work should show you have completed and thought seriously and critically about the topic. You are also encouraged to research the topic and cite your sources. A writing template and an assessment rubric for each assignment are available on the class Moodle.

Examinations

• All materials, including the readings, handouts, and information provided in class will potentially be included on quizzes and final exam. For the mid-term, you and two other students will prepare an oral presentation on the relationship of globalization to cross-cultural communication. The instructor will evaluate your ability to speak for an extended period of time without hesitation, deviation or repetition using your own words to express your ideas. Each presenter will speak three to five minutes, followed by a 5-minute discussion. Each group should submit their proposal and their outline at least one week prior to the presentations for their topic approval. More details will be provided in class and on Moodle.


• An assessment rubric for the speaking assignments is available on Moodle.


• The final exam is a written test on CCC Units 4, 5, and 6.


• No make-up exams will be given unless you have received the instructor’s permission at least one week in advance.