ASSIGNMENTS AND REQUIREMENTS

You are expected to:

- participate actively in all in-class activities and discussion;

- attend each class and be on time;

- to submit an individual assignment;

- conduct a group oral presentation;

- collaboratively complete a podcast episode within a small group comprising 2-3 individuals;

- to produce a short video in a small group consisting of 2-3 individuals;

- attend a mid-term examination;

- attend a final examination.

Your final grades are determined by the following course components:

• Individual assignment: 20%


• Group oral presentation: 20 %


• Final examination: 20 %


• Mid-term examination: 20%


• Attendance (10%), class participation (10%): 20 %

Attendance

Attendance will be recorded in every class, when possible. Habitual lateness and unauthorized use of cell phone will also jeopardize your attendance records. A leave of absence should be arranged beforehand or soon afterwards with proper documentation.

Class Participation

Class participation refers to your active involvement in the class activities including your in-class questions to the instructor, insights and comments regarding class content, responses to the instructor’s questions, and reactions to other students’ contributions.

Oral presentations

You will give an individual oral report and a group presentation during the semester. For the individual report, you will give a 7-minute personal talk. For the group presentation, you and two other students will present on a given topic. The presentation should be approximately 15 minutes, followed by a 7-minute discussion. Each group is welcome to meet with the instructor prior to their presentation to discuss their presentation outline. More details will be provided in class.

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 speaking test, and the final exam is a written test. The speaking test requires you to deliver an individual oral presentation. The instructor will assess your subject knowledge, presentation skills, English proficiency, and your ability to respond to questions appropriately. The grading rubric for the speaking test is available on the class website. The written test requires you to examine a script, such as a podcast or video script. Your performance will be evaluated based on the quality of your analysis, your language proficiency in conveying your ideas, your ability to present critical perspectives, and the coherence of your analysis. The grading rubric for the written test is available on the class website. No make-up exams will be given unless you have received the instructor’s permission in advance. 

The use of generative AI tools 

The use of generative AI tools is permitted in this course for the following activities:

Brainstorming 

Fine-tuning your responses/answers to enhance readability

Searching for information on your topic

Creating a framework to structure your ideas

Checking grammar, spelling and punctuation.

To be announced.