Syllabus Value Fall 2010

AMSTU 0520-2 / Ms. J. E. Seibert
Fall 2010, TuTh 12:50-2:20 PM
Office Hours: 3:00-4:30 Tu & by appointment (office 216)
Phone:503- 373-3302
E-mail: jseibert@willamette.edu

Personal and Cultural Values: Reading, Vocabulary, and Conversation
http://www.willamette.edu/~jseibert/2010AdvanEngVALUES/calendar.htm

Course description and objective

In this course, you will improve your reading, vocabulary, and conversation skills while exploring personal and cultural values in the U.S. and in your own country. The objective of the course is to make you a better world citizen through increased language skills and increased cultural knowledge.

This "linked" class will meet six times with a Willamette University freshman colloquium studying Japanese-U.S. intercultural communication.

Student outcomes: At the end of the course you should have

Demonstrated that you can identify values and beliefs underlying behavior in the U.S. and in Japan and related to topics such as privacy, competition, appearances, family ties, and health.
Prepared at least two surveys, given them to at least 10 Japanese and 10 Americans, and summarized the results orally and in writing.
Read and discussed at least two assigned chapters or articles written for native speakers of English.
Successfully conversed with Willamette students on six occasions (prepared an assigned topic, began, continued, and ended the conversation appropriately).
Given a 10 minute oral presentation on a topic related to personal and cultural values.
Written summaries of what you have learned after at least six class sessions using basic U.S. English writing conventions.
Mastered at least 50 new vocabulary words as evidenced by their use in writing, speaking, and presenting.

Required text and materials: Speaking of Values 2 (provided by TIUA); a bilingual dictionary

Course Format: Lectures, small group activities and discussions, pair activities and discussions, and student presentations.

Course Requirements

1. Regular class attendance and active participation in English. This includes six meetings with Willamette students.
2. Satisfactory completion of class work and homework. Some homework will not be graded; it is for you to learn and practice.
3. Success on weekly quizzes.
4. A good final presentation.

Grading scale

Each graded assignment and each quiz and test will have a certain number of points. At the end of the term, you grade will correspond to the percentage of total points you have of the maximum possible. Most of your grade will be from quizzes, test, and the final presentation.
It is your responsibility to check your grade each week at:
http://www.willamette.edu/~jseibert/2010AdvanEngVALUES/calendar.htm

Percent of possible points	TIUA Grade	Transfers to TIU as ...
90- 100%	A, A-	S
80-89%	B+, B, B-	A
70-79%	C+, C, C-	B
60-69%	D+, D	C
0-59%	F	F

Attendance Policy

Notify the instructor of an absence from class in advance by phone or E-mail.
Quizzes and test cannot be made up unless you notify the instructor before class and you have a verifiable illness or emergency.
If you miss a class, it is YOUR responsibility to get information, assignments, and handouts.

Absences, tardies, sleeping, and behavior

• More than five absences will result in an “F” grade.
• Three absences will lower your final grade by one letter grade.
• Three late arrivals count as one absence. A very late arrival is an absence.
• Sleeping in class is considered as one absence.
• Please do not eat or chew gum in class. You need to speak clearly.

Honesty: If you cheat on a quiz or other assignment, you will be told to leave the class and receive an F grade on the assignment. Copying homework or another students' quiz or test is one form of cheating.