Success at US Universities Course Description:
This 8-week intensive reading, writing and discussion course will explore the academic and social experiences and challenges of college life at American universities. Half of the class time will address common social issues that international students often face, while the other half will provide helpful hints for academic success. Upon completing this course, a student will be able to enter an American university or community college with confidence and function successfully both academically and socially. Guest speakers from both the university and local community will visit the class, and we will attend an outside lecture as well as visit some campus social organizations such as Hillel, the African American Student Affairs office and a fraternity or sorority house.
TEXTS: American Ways: A Guide for Foreigners in the United States (required) by Gary Althen (ISBN 1877864994). Purchase at U of A Bookstore
Becoming a Master Student(required) by Dave Ellis. Purchase online.
Expectations:
Each class will follow a set schedule, which is attached.
There will be homework most nights and every weekend due when you walk into class!
Although there are no exams, writing assignments in the form of one to two page summaries and personal reflections will be assigned on the readings.
Participation, including in-class discussion, is mandatory.
Students must post to a blog weekly. Each post is worth 5 points.
Absences:
Attendance is vital to your success in this class. If you miss a class discussion or other activity, you will not be able to make it up. The class is
not a video in which the teacher can simply rewind and replay for you. It is your responsibility to attend class and participate fully. You are required to attend EVERY class. If you are absent more than 3 times, you will automatically fail. If you are late to class 3 times, this will count as 1 absence. When you are absent, please inform me by email of the reason and arrange to do any missed work. All absences are counted regardless of the reason. Contact your classmates for their notes. There will be no make-up quizzes or exams unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Special Note:
Some of the subject matter may make you feel uncomfortable or make you think about things that you never have before. I will always alert you about
controversial topics or videos with mature subject matter beforehand. You may view the videos privately and be excused from class for the in-class viewing if you so desire. In addition, there may be occasions when I split the class into all male and all female sections for brief discussions. This is to allow you to feel more comfortable so that you make speak freely.
Furthermore, if you are having problems outside of my class, this will affect your performance inside of my class. Please let me know if there is any
situation you need help with. I am always available to talk to. If I cannot solve your problem, I will find someone who can. We can solve any issue
together. THE HARDEST STEP IS ADMITTING YOU NEED SOME HELP.
Class Rules:
Arrive on time and prepared to work. You should be in your seat BEFORE 2:30!
If you are absent, send me an email ([email protected])
Turn off cell phones BEFORE class starts.
English is the only language we all have in common, so please use it.
Show respect for your classmates, and take turns speaking.
Be kind, patient, open-minded and non-judgmental.
If you enter class and have not done your HW, you may be asked to leave and marked absent.
If you feel overwhelmed, PLEASE come see me.
Grading:
Summaries and reflections = 70%
Class attendance and Participation = 20%
Outside assignments = 10%
Total = 100%
93-100% = A (Excellent!)
83-92% = B (Good)
73-82% = C (Satisfactory)
60-72% = D (Poor – you may have to repeat course)
0-59% = E (Failed course. Repeating course required.)
Academic Integrity:
All students must submit original work. This is the only way I can identify problems and help you improve. Use of outside sources must be quoted properly or paraphrased and clearly cited. No form of cheating or plagiarism will be tolerated. Such behavior may lead to a failing grade on the assignment in
question or the entire course or dismissal from CESL.
CESL Policies: Please refer to your student handbook.
Americans with Disabilities Compliance (You do not have to be an American citizen!)
CESL strives to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students with disabilities requiring special accommodations must notify the instructor or the IEP Coordinator of this need.
Selected Readings: Below please find the list of readings we will cover in class in no particular order.
Part I – General Ideas about American Culture
American Ways: A Guide for Foreigners in the United States by Althen
Introduction (pp. xix-xxxii)
American Values and Assumptions (pp. 3-32)
The Communicative Style of Americans (pp. 33-54)
Part II – Specific Aspects of American Life
American Ways: A Guide for Foreigners in the United States by Althen
Education (pp. 101-118)
Social Relationships (pp. 141-154)
Male-Female Relationships (pp. 173-186)
Part III –Academic Aspects of American College Life
University Classroom Expectations (T/F handout)
Studying (in American Ways) pp. 235-246
US Classroom Culture
Ellis Ch. 2: What to Expect in the Classroom (Legally Blond video clips)
When instructors talk too fast (Ellis p. 139)
Cooperative Learning (Ellis pp. 172-173)
Ellis Ch. 5: Test Taking Skills (pp. 148-150, 153)
Plagiarism (Newsweek College Writing Guide, UA Library website) and Giving Credit where Credit is Due (Ellis p. 243)
You're in: Now What? And Your First Year of College: 25 Tips to Help You Survive and Thrive Your Freshman Year and Beyond
A master student defined (Ellis pp. 30-32)
25 Ways to Get the Most out of Now (Ellis pp. 46-50)
Becoming a Critical Thinker (Ellis pp. 212-215)
7 Steps to Effective Complaints (Ellis. p. 279)
This 8-week intensive reading, writing and discussion course will explore the academic and social experiences and challenges of college life at American universities. Half of the class time will address common social issues that international students often face, while the other half will provide helpful hints for academic success. Upon completing this course, a student will be able to enter an American university or community college with confidence and function successfully both academically and socially. Guest speakers from both the university and local community will visit the class, and we will attend an outside lecture as well as visit some campus social organizations such as Hillel, the African American Student Affairs office and a fraternity or sorority house.
TEXTS: American Ways: A Guide for Foreigners in the United States (required) by Gary Althen (ISBN 1877864994). Purchase at U of A Bookstore
Becoming a Master Student(required) by Dave Ellis. Purchase online.
Expectations:
Each class will follow a set schedule, which is attached.
There will be homework most nights and every weekend due when you walk into class!
Although there are no exams, writing assignments in the form of one to two page summaries and personal reflections will be assigned on the readings.
Participation, including in-class discussion, is mandatory.
Students must post to a blog weekly. Each post is worth 5 points.
Absences:
Attendance is vital to your success in this class. If you miss a class discussion or other activity, you will not be able to make it up. The class is
not a video in which the teacher can simply rewind and replay for you. It is your responsibility to attend class and participate fully. You are required to attend EVERY class. If you are absent more than 3 times, you will automatically fail. If you are late to class 3 times, this will count as 1 absence. When you are absent, please inform me by email of the reason and arrange to do any missed work. All absences are counted regardless of the reason. Contact your classmates for their notes. There will be no make-up quizzes or exams unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Special Note:
Some of the subject matter may make you feel uncomfortable or make you think about things that you never have before. I will always alert you about
controversial topics or videos with mature subject matter beforehand. You may view the videos privately and be excused from class for the in-class viewing if you so desire. In addition, there may be occasions when I split the class into all male and all female sections for brief discussions. This is to allow you to feel more comfortable so that you make speak freely.
Furthermore, if you are having problems outside of my class, this will affect your performance inside of my class. Please let me know if there is any
situation you need help with. I am always available to talk to. If I cannot solve your problem, I will find someone who can. We can solve any issue
together. THE HARDEST STEP IS ADMITTING YOU NEED SOME HELP.
Class Rules:
Arrive on time and prepared to work. You should be in your seat BEFORE 2:30!
If you are absent, send me an email ([email protected])
Turn off cell phones BEFORE class starts.
English is the only language we all have in common, so please use it.
Show respect for your classmates, and take turns speaking.
Be kind, patient, open-minded and non-judgmental.
If you enter class and have not done your HW, you may be asked to leave and marked absent.
If you feel overwhelmed, PLEASE come see me.
Grading:
Summaries and reflections = 70%
Class attendance and Participation = 20%
Outside assignments = 10%
Total = 100%
93-100% = A (Excellent!)
83-92% = B (Good)
73-82% = C (Satisfactory)
60-72% = D (Poor – you may have to repeat course)
0-59% = E (Failed course. Repeating course required.)
Academic Integrity:
All students must submit original work. This is the only way I can identify problems and help you improve. Use of outside sources must be quoted properly or paraphrased and clearly cited. No form of cheating or plagiarism will be tolerated. Such behavior may lead to a failing grade on the assignment in
question or the entire course or dismissal from CESL.
CESL Policies: Please refer to your student handbook.
Americans with Disabilities Compliance (You do not have to be an American citizen!)
CESL strives to comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Students with disabilities requiring special accommodations must notify the instructor or the IEP Coordinator of this need.
Selected Readings: Below please find the list of readings we will cover in class in no particular order.
Part I – General Ideas about American Culture
American Ways: A Guide for Foreigners in the United States by Althen
Introduction (pp. xix-xxxii)
American Values and Assumptions (pp. 3-32)
The Communicative Style of Americans (pp. 33-54)
Part II – Specific Aspects of American Life
American Ways: A Guide for Foreigners in the United States by Althen
Education (pp. 101-118)
Social Relationships (pp. 141-154)
Male-Female Relationships (pp. 173-186)
Part III –Academic Aspects of American College Life
University Classroom Expectations (T/F handout)
Studying (in American Ways) pp. 235-246
US Classroom Culture
Ellis Ch. 2: What to Expect in the Classroom (Legally Blond video clips)
When instructors talk too fast (Ellis p. 139)
Cooperative Learning (Ellis pp. 172-173)
Ellis Ch. 5: Test Taking Skills (pp. 148-150, 153)
Plagiarism (Newsweek College Writing Guide, UA Library website) and Giving Credit where Credit is Due (Ellis p. 243)
You're in: Now What? And Your First Year of College: 25 Tips to Help You Survive and Thrive Your Freshman Year and Beyond
A master student defined (Ellis pp. 30-32)
25 Ways to Get the Most out of Now (Ellis pp. 46-50)
Becoming a Critical Thinker (Ellis pp. 212-215)
7 Steps to Effective Complaints (Ellis. p. 279)