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Academic Skills - English Short Stories
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This course aims to develop students' abilities to read critically and produce good writing and organised spoken responses to texts.
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The course uses English short stories to provide an interesting and academically challenging basis for discussion and writing technique development. Each week we will examine a short story which the students will have read at home, and one or two aspects of academic writing or speaking. The course will ask students to produce essays and short presentations based on their reading of the core and supplementary texts. We will read a fairly wide range of interesting stories which are all classics in their own right, but which will challenge us to discuss the themes and points of view raised, and should be an entertaining and rewarding means of improving English comprehension, writing and speaking skills.
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English Literature, Reading, Discussion, Writing
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Each week students will have one short story to read at home, plus some commentary texts or small library or internet based research. In class, we will examine the texts, and practice skills necessary to present our ideas about the readings. Class and small-group discussion will be important in the course and periodically, students will give short presentations about their reading experiences. Two reading and research projects which will lead to essays will be assigned during the semester, and for these students will have the opportunity to guide their own research and present their findings. The course content is subject to change according to student ability, however the first four weeks' readings are:
Pre-course reading: "Theft," by Katherine Anne Porter [not in the textbook - you will need to use the library - read this before the first class.]
Week 2: "The Lottery," by Shirley Jackson. Week 3: "Miss Brill," by Katherine Mansfield Week 4: "The Yellow Wallpaper," by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Students who cannot buy the textbook should make sure to have a copy these stories, and all students must make sure that assigned stories are read before the corresponding class.
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Essay / Extended Project - 25% x 2 Class Participation - 20% Final Exam - 30%
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Each week there is required reading homework. This must be done in order to keep up with the class. If students are absent for any class, they must make sure that they catch up with the reading, and with the results of the class discussion.
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You need an English dictionary (smartphones are not acceptable), a notebook, and time during your week to sit down to read and think.
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