Houston Community College Gulfton Campus
Intensive English Program
ESOL 0353 (CRN 70634), Advanced Reading 4, Spring 2011
3 hour lecture/2 hour lab course / 80 hours per semester/ 16 weeks
Room 208 Gulfton Campus| M-W 10:40-1:20
Instructor: Dr. Malek Shawareb: phone (713) 718-7750 email : malek.shawareb@hccs.edu
Learning Web: http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/malek.shawareb
Office location and hours: Gulfton by appointment
Course Description
ESOL 0353 Advanced Reading for Foreign Speakers. A continuation of ESOL 0350. This course is
designed to further develop critical reading skills for college-bound students. The skills gained in ESOL 0350
are further refined to guide students toward a mastery of deduction, inference, and figurative language
Course Prerequisites: A passing grade in ESOL 0350, or (for students new to Intensive English) an
evaluation into ESOL 0353 on the placement examinations.
Course Statement of Purpose
ESOL 0353, Advanced Reading, seeks to prepare students for college level academic or workforce study by
accomplishing the following objectives:
•
Enable students to read moderate-length texts (2-3,000 words) and decode rhetorical structures
such as causation, comparison and contrast, definition, classification, and favored vs. unfavored opinions;
•
Give students the opportunity to read extensively from authentic academic sources as well as highschool-level literature and popular publications;
•
Introduce students to a vocabulary of approximately 2,000-3,000 words, taken largely from
authentic academic English sources;
•
Develop students’ skills in critical research, using the Internet and college libraries.
Course Outcomes
After taking ESOL 0353, Advanced Reading, the student should be able to:
1.
correctly identify the main idea of the major segments of a moderate-length academic text, as well
as distinguish between thesis and supporting details and arguments in such a text;
2.
recognize and use randomly-selected items from an academic word list that reflects an estimated
vocabulary size of 3,000 words;
find and read several articles from newspapers and magazines on predetermined themes, as well as write
an accurate summary of their contents;
4.
document participation in an extensive reading program of the teacher’s design;
5.
identify written sources from either a library or the Internet that provide useful information on
predetermined topics, as well as evaluate their suitability for a given assignment.
Learning Objectives Leading to the Course Outcomes Above
Students will:
1.1 Recognize the meaning of words from a target vocabulary of 2,000-3,000 words, based on the General
Service List (cf. http://bauman.com/gsl/html) and the Academic Word List
(http://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/resources/academicwordlist/awl-headwords.aspx);
1.2 Identify synonyms and antonyms of target vocabulary words;
1.3 Identify vocabulary words derived from known words by modifying the word form of the target word.
2.1 Understand important details from a passage of 1,000-1,500 words;
2.2 Identify the main idea of the passage and restate it in the student’s own words;
2.3 Identify specific details and supporting facts in the text.
3.1a Select advanced-level readings from Department’s collection or list of guided reading books or
passages;
3.1b Alternatively, read a common book selected by the instructor for the entire class or for a group within
the class;
3.2 Summarize content of reading passages in a reading log;
3.3 Evaluate the significance, clarity and interest of the selected reading passages.
4.1 Read a work of short fiction of 10-30 pages by a recognized English-language author;
4.2 Summarize the main ideas and significant details of the story in a reader’s log.
5.1 Identify at least 10 academic sources from a library or online source related to a specific topic selected
by students or assigned by the instructor;
5.2 Evaluate the sources for their pertinence to the topic;
5.3 Evaluate the sources for their credibility as sources of information.
16-WEEK CALENDAR
NOTE: This schedule is approximate; I may make changes to it if necessary to cover the required material in
the course.
ESOL 0353 Advanced Reading for Foreign Speakers
Date
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Objectives
Unit 1: Physiology
The Strength to Survive: Animal Olympics
Unit 1 (cont)
Were Humans Born to Run?
Unit 2 : Psychology
Your Attention, Please
Book report #1 Due
Unit 1 Test
Unit 2 (cont)
You’re Getting Very Sleepy
Unit 2 Test
Unit 3: Film Studies
Movie Magic: From Gimmicks to FX
Book report #2 Due
Unit 3 (cont)
A Big Gorilla Started It All
Unit 3 Test
Unit 4: Music
The Power of Music: Why Does Music Move Us?
Book report 3 Due
Unit 4 (cont.)
Project #1 Due
Begin Unit 6: Economics
Unit 4 Test
Unit 6 (cont.) Boom and Bust: Economic Bubbles
Book report 4 Due
Unit 7: Sociology
Blink
Unit 7 (cont.)
Unit 6 & 7 Test
The Wisdom of Crowds
Book report 5 Due
Unit 8 : Business
Google: A Brief History
Week 13
Unit 8 (cont)
Google Controversies
Week 14
Unit 9 : Robotics
Modeling Nature: Robots ‘R’ Us
Project #2 Due
Unit 8 & 9 Test
Week 15
Unit 10 : Anthropology
The Mystery of Easter Island: Easter’s End
Week 16
Final Exams
Instructional Methods
Lecture; self-study; pair work; class discussion; small group discussion
Student Requirements and Assignments
Daily work, Reading Projects
Assessments
Short Quizzes and Tests, Written Reports
ESOL 0353 Grading Formula
Tests
50 %
Vocabulary Quizzes
Reading Projects, Lab&
Homework
30
20
100
Instructional Materials:
Inside Reading 4, Kent Richmond. New York: Cambridge University Press
English-English dictionary: Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary or Longman Dictionary of American
English
Computer flashdrive
HCC POLICIES
ADA
Services to Students with Disabilities Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are
encouraged to report to Dr. Becky Hauri at 713-718-7910 to make necessary arrangements. Faculty is only
authorized to provide accommodations by the Disability Support Service Office. Please see this website for
more information: http://hccs.edu/student-rights
Academic Honesty: Academic Honesty (Dishonesty = Cheating): Any form of cheating or copying,
(plagiarism) will result in a 0 for that assignment and possibly recommendation for probation or dismissal
from the college system. Cheating includes copying from another student during a test or giving another
student answers in a test. One form of cheating is copying from the Internet or another text and handing it in
as your work. Another form of cheating is memorizing text from the Internet or a book and using those words
as your own on a test or homework. ALL work has to be written by the student and not copied from another
source.
Attendance
According to the HCC’s Student Handbook, you may be dropped from a course after accumulating
absences in excess of 12.5 percent of the total hours of instruction (lecture and lab). For Intensive English if
you exceed a total of 10 hours (12.5%) of absence in any class (4 days of any class including labs), you can
be discontinued from ALL classes. This will make F1 students out of status and cause visa problems.
Please email me if you are absent and talk to the other students in class on your return to get homework.
Tardiness and in-class time absence: Classes and tests begin promptly. Lateness of fifteen minutes or
more counts as class or lab absence. Three tardies (lateness) = 1 absence. Lateness after break times,
leaving early or disappearing during class or lab are also counted as absences. Texting, using social
networking sites, or other improper use of technology during class time or lab time are also counted towards
your absences (1 warning= 1 tardy).
Class attendance equals class success.
STUDENTS REPEATING FOR A THIRD TIME: Repeating students: Students who repeat a course for
three or more times will face a tuition fee increase at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities.
If you are having trouble in class talk to your teacher and go for tutoring. Get other assistance from a
counselor before withdrawing or if you are not receiving passing grades. If a student fails a class for the
second time, he or she will receive an F for that class. Students should get help so that they do not fail.
Students who need extra help should see me after school or in break times or find a class buddy. Tutoring is
also available after school on Tuesday to Thursday from 1.30 to 2.30 in room 105 and Fridays from 9 -11 in
the audio lab.
SEXUAL HARRASSMENT:
Sexual harassment in any form is not tolerated at Houston Community College. It is a violation of HCCS
policy for an employee, agent, or student of the college to engage in sexual harassment as defined
in the EEOC guidelines (EEO/AA Compliance Handbook 47). See HCCS Student Handbook for more
information.
HCC WITHDRAWAL DEADLINE:
To drop a class, you must see a counselor. The nearest place to see one is at West Loop campus. Or you
may see the advisor in room 117. The last day students may withdraw or be dropped from a class with a
grade of W is Thursday April 14 before 4:30p.m. Students who have excessive absences after that date will
receive the grades they earn. Note: International students will be out of status if they drop their
classes and may have to go back to their country. Speak with a counselor or the advisor before
dropping classes to make sure of the procedures.
Classroom Behavior
Treat your classmates and teacher with respect. Use English. Make the most of your class time by actively
participating in discussions and activities. Do not use your cell phone to text during class. Turn your cell
phone to vibrate and keep it in your pocket if you are expecting an emergency call.
Use of Camera and/or Recording Devices Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape
recorders, is prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations where instruction,
tutoring, or testing occurs. Students with disabilities who need to use a recording device as a reasonable
accommodation should contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding reasonable
accommodations
Misuse of Electronic Devices in the Classroom The use of electronic devices by students in the
classroom is up to the discretion of the instructor. Any use of such devices for purposes other than student
learning is strictly prohibited. If an instructor perceives such use as disruptive and/or inappropriate, the
instructor has the right to terminate such use. If the behavior continues, the student may be subject to
disciplinary action to include removal from the classroom or referral to the Dean of Student Services. Please
see Attendance Policy for this class.
Disruptive Behavior Students that conduct themselves in a manner that significantly interferes with college
teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures or other authorized college activities (including its
public service functions) on the college premises will be subject to disciplinary action.
Program/Discipline Requirements
*Basic Requirements for ESOL 0353
Students complete all reading projects, take all quizzes and tests
HCC Grading Scale:
Grading Scale 90-100 =A
80 - 89 = B
70 - 79 = C
Below 70= IP or F (not passing)
Holidays and Important Dates
Presidents’ Day (No classes)
February 21
Spring Break (No classes) March 14-18
Last Day for Administrative/Student Withdrawals April 14 at 4:30 PM
Final Exams
May 9 and 10