Language Institute
Thammasat University
EL 281 English for Sociologists and Anthropologists 1
Course Outline 1/2015
Course Description
This course will focus on practicing the four language skills, vocabulary development and
structures related to the fields of sociology and anthropology with an emphasis on reading,
making inferences, writing short paragraphs, listening, speaking, expressing opinions,
analyzing and synthesizing sociological and anthropological contexts in order to present
topics of students’ interest.
Course Objectives
1. To expose the students to the four skills of English with the emphasis on sociology and
anthropology texts
2. To enable the students to communicate with others in English effectively
3. To develop students’ reading skills necessary for the understanding of texts and articles in
sociology and anthropology
4. To enhance students’ writing skill through extensive review of major structural patterns
and writing practice
Teaching Methods
Student-Centered/ Autonomous Learning
Pair Work/ Group Discussion/ Oral Presentation
Course Evaluation
Attendance
Assignments
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
Total
10
20
30
40
100
points
points
points
points
points
Score Distribution
Vocabulary
Seen passages
Unseen passages
Controlled Writing
Total
Midterm Exam
10
10
Final Exam
10
15
20
20
60/2 = 30
25
30
80/2 = 40
Exam Dates
Midterm Examination
Final Examination
Monday, 5 October 2015
Friday, 18 December 2015
Time: 12:00 - 14:00
Time: 13:00 - 16:00
Assignments
1. Class assignments
Students are given two individual written assignments on topics of their choice as writing
practice of the organizational patterns covered in class. Ten points will be given based on
the quality and punctual submission of the assignments.
2. Term Project
Objectives:
1. To encourage autonomous learning
2. To practice reading for main idea and supporting details
3. To practice writing a topic sentence and supporting sentences
4. To practice expressing opinions
5. To enhance students’ ability to analyze and synthesize sociological and
anthropological contexts in order to present topics of their own interest
Task:
1. Work individually.
2. Choose a reading passage relating to sociological and/or anthropological contexts.
3. Write a short paragraph containing the main idea and supporting details of the
passage.
4. Express what you think about the topic of the passage. Support your opinions with
reasons, explanations and/or suggestions.
5. Submit the term project in the final week of the course.
6. Grading criteria: 3 points – clear summary, 3 points – clear statements of opinions,
4 points – writing ability
7. Cutting, pasting or taking ideas from another person’s work and using them as
if they were yours will result in a zero score.
Attendance Policy
1. Students must have at least 80% attendance in order to be eligible for the Final Exam.
2. Students are advised to be strictly punctual for every class. Those who are 30 minutes late
will be considered absent.
3. Two points will be deducted for each absence, and one point for each lateness.
Schedule and Instructors
Add/Drop period
Drop “W” period
August 26 - 31, 2015
October 19 - 26, 2015
Sec/Gr
Day
Time
Room
Instructor
8100/01
Monday
09:30 - 12:30
LI 310
A. Patchara Wonghiransombat
8100/02
Monday
09:30 - 12:30
LI 201
A. Dr. Pimsiri Taylor
8200/01
Monday
13:30 - 16:30
LI 310
Asst. Prof. Dr. Ketvalee Porkaew
Tentative Teaching Schedule
EL 281
Semester 1/2015
Week
Date
Topic
Unit 1: Vocabulary check
Reading selection: About Sociology and Anthropology
Reading focus: Structural clues I: Prefixed and suffixes
Unit 1: Language focus: Present tense review
Unit 2: Vocabulary check, Reading selection: Social Identity
Unit 1: Writing: Topic sentence
Unit 2: Writing: Supporting detail sentences and outlining
Unit 2: Language focus: Past tense review
Reading focus: Structural clues II: Stems
Unit 3: Vocabulary Check
Reading: Cultural Values
Reading focus: Contextual clues
Unit 3: Language focus: Subject-Verb agreement
Writing: Linking ideas with transitional expressions
Unit 4: Vocabulary check
Reading: Popular Entertainment
Language focus: Future tense review
1
17 August 2015
2
24 August 2015
3
31 August 2015
4
7 September 2015
5
14 September 2015
6
21 September 2015
7
28 September 2015
8
Monday
5 October 2015
9
12 October 2015
10
19 October 2015
11
26 October 2015
Unit 5: Writing: Writing a paragraph of classification
12
2 November 2015
Unit 6: Vocabulary check
Reading: Human Behavior, Drawing inferences
13
9 November 2015
Unit 6: Language focus: Conditional sentences
14
16 November 2015
Unit 6: Writing: Writing a paragraph of comparison
15
23 November 2015
Course review
16
30 November 2015
Course review
Friday
18 December 2015
MIDTERM EXAMINATION (Units 1 - 3) (12:00 - 14:00)
Unit 4: Reading focus: Finding topics and main ideas
Writing: Writing a paragraph of exemplification
Unit 5: Vocabulary check
Reading: Social Stratification of classification
Language focus: Passive voice
FINAL EXAMINATION (Units 4 - 6) (13:00 – 16:00)