This is a reading course that builds and refines advanced-level rhetorical analysis, increases analytical,
inferential/evaluative comprehension, expands vocabulary, and critical thinking skills. Students will select and apply appropriate reading strategies to complete academic work.
General Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Read critically by asking pertinent questions about a text, recognizing assumptions and implications, and evaluating ideas.
2. Read a literary text analytically, seeing relationships between form and content.
3. Read texts of different genres and disciplines accurately
Specific Objectives:
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Preview and predict the content of a reading selection at an advanced level by:
A. Considering the title, headings, and subheadings;
B. Identifying the arrangement of topic, and subtopic through outlining;
C. Discussing previous knowledge on the subject;
D. Asking questions that might be answered in the reading.
2. Skim a text at an advanced level for general meaning by:
A. Identifying introduction and conclusion;
B. Understanding paragraph structure;
C. Recognizing topic sentences;
D. Recognizing when the main idea has been rephrased;
E. Being able to distinguish between the main idea and supporting details;
F. Listing and writing the main ideas;
G. Making a story outline or a timeline.
3. Scan a text, read for specific information, and answer specific information questions in a limited amount of time at an advanced level.
4. Read a text and answer basic comprehension questions about the main idea, vocabulary, and important details in the form of multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer questions at an advanced level.
5. Guess vocabulary from context by:
A. Recognizing clues (punctuation, example, comparison or contrast, definition, description, series, cause and effect, setting, and synonyms);
B. Recognizing prefixes, suffixes, and roots and discerning their meanings (mis-, pre-, im-, anthropo, poly, etc.).
6. Expand active vocabulary by:
A. Writing definitions;
B. Using the words in a sentence;
C. Looking up words in a monolingual dictionary;
D. Recognizing that a word can have more than one meaning;
E. Recognizing that certain suffixes give clues as to the part of speech.
7. Make inferences and be able to answer inference questions through multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer formats at an advanced level.
8. Distinguish fact from opinion by:
A. Distinguishing vocabulary associated with fact from vocabulary associated with opinion (i- objective: scientific, fact, evidence, prove, certain; ii- subjective: think, believe, agree, disagree, possible, theorize, etc.);
B. Recognizing stated or implied facts;
C. Recognizing stated or implied opinions.
9. Demonstrate increased speed.
10. Respond to an advanced-level text by:
A. Determining the author’s purpose;
B. Distinguishing fact from opinion;
C. Analyzing tone and point of view;
D. Evaluating and explaining reasons why the text is either effective or ineffective;
E. Including a proper citation of the source.
11. Summarize a text at an advanced level by:
A. Making a story outline and/or a timeline;
B. Listing ideas;
C. Writing margin notes;
D. Recognizing and rewording main ideas;
E. Writing a 2-3 sentence summary statement.
12. Engage in extensive reading and demonstrate understanding.
1.1 Ascertain the meaning of a passage by identifying main ideas, supporting details, and logical or narrative sequences.
1.2 Recognize the implicit assumptions and values underlying a written work.
1.3 Evaluate ideas presented in a text by determining their logical validity, their implications, and their relationship to ideas beyond the text.
1.4 Evaluate ideas presented in a text by determining the rhetorical structures used to persuade readers.
1.5 Distinguish between facts and opinions in a text.
2.1 Identify the tone, mood, and voice of a literary text through an analysis of its linguistic features and literary devices.
2.2 Identify the theme of a literary text and the ways it is embodied by formal elements.
2.3 Identify and analyze common semantic features such as connotation, denotation, and figures of speech.
3.1 Write a summary of a text that demonstrates an understanding of the main ideas of the text.
3.2 Write a paraphrase of a passage that demonstrates an understanding of the content of the passage.
3.3 State the main idea of a text.
3.4 Define unfamiliar vocabulary.
3.5 Locate facts and isolate details of a text.
3.6 Retain specific facts and details from a text.
Topics:
Course topics will include the following:
1. Vocabulary expansion
2. Reading skills strategies and practice
3. Content analysis and evaluation
4. Author opinion
Method of Instruction:
1. Lecture
2. Discussion
3. Group and pair work
4. Reading
Types of Assignments:
1. Readings
2. Text-based exercises
3. Vocabulary study
Course Contents
The course contents are readings of newspaper articles, essays, fiction, poetry, and drama within the following thematic categories:
1. The Search for the Self
2. Personal Relationships and personal valued
3. Cultural Traditions: Popular Culture, Art and society
4. Science, the Environment and the Future
5. Freedom and Human Dignity
6. Education
Materials:
1. Seal, Bernard, Academic Encounters: Human Behavior: Reading, Study Skills and Writing, Cambridge University Press.
2. Shrodes, Caroline, Harry Finestone, and Michael Shugrue. The Conscious Reader. 8th ed. New York: Longman, 2001.
Evaluation
The instructor will create measurement instruments that demonstrate competency in the stated objectives.
These may include multiple-choice, short answers, and essay quizzes or assignments. The instructor will give a midterm and final examination.
Student Responsibilities:
Students are expected to be prepared for class by doing all assigned reading as well as weekly homework assignments to be completed outside of class. Homework must be turned in on time. No late work will be accepted.
When you miss class for any reason, you are still responsible for the information presented and assignments given in class. Due dates remain the same whether you are in class or not. Contact a fellow student and the teacher for missed assignments.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to maintain high standards of integrity and honesty in all of their scholastic work. This means that answers copied from a friend or from an online source will result in a zero grade point.