Stephen van Vlack
Sookmyung Women`s University
Division of English Language and Literature
English for International Communication
Spring 2007
Course Policy
Overview: The course is designed to explore how English has become the world's global language, and what this means for international communication. In a diverse range of local areas, English use has become common in academic settings, business sectors, the Internet, and more. Yet studies about the English language and its roles in globalization are sorely lacking. We have not yet been provided with a comprehensive range of clear images regarding English language use in the world past and present. In this course we will try to do just that. Students will try to determine why so many people use English and for what purposes in order to understand what the future of English use in international communicative situations will be.
Objectives: In this course, the students find out in which situations the English is and has been used. Both international and local communities will be examined as to why as well as how the English language is used as a communicative tool and more in these disparate environments. In cross-cultural situations, the role of English language may be explored and reported in the classes. Field work and group project are to be carried out in due course.
Texts
Primary Text:
*Crystal, David. (2003). English as a Global Language (2nd edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Additional Texts:
*English Newspapers, Internet materials, etc.
Methodology
English Only: The working language of this class is English. This means all official aspects of the course including all assignments, presentations and in-class discussion will be conducted in English only. As this is a multilingual classroom, students are expected to follow international standards on language use and sensitivity. Failure to do so will result in a lower participation grade.
Classroom: In the classroom, there will be both direct lecturing and more discussion-oriented activities. Students will be expected to demonstrate that they have done the reading and learned something by taking an active role in the class discussions. There are no clear cut answers to any of these concerns. The students need to come up with their own ideas and further questions. In order to do this you need to do the reading. Please, always come prepared or you will be lost in class.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. Two or more absences will result in a significantly lowered final grade. Being late twice is counted as an absence. Arriving more than half an hour late is also counted as an absence. Students themselves are responsible for all material covered and assigned in class during their absence. If you are going to be absent and know it beforehand, make sure you contact me as far in advance as possible.
Assignments
Homework: The most important homework for this class is to do the reading every week and do the focus questions in order to be ready to fully participate in class. In order to ensure this and to improve the students writing ability, there will be written homework assigned each week. Check the website each week for the homework assignments. All homework assignments are due on the second day in the week they are assigned. All homework must be typed. No late homework will be accepted for marks.
Group Presentations: Every second week students will be doing presentations in groups or individually on topics from the text. Students will be evaluated on several different aspects of their presentations, so it is important that they are well prepared and very professional.
Exams
Midterm: The Mid-term exam will be held in the eighth week of class (April 20). It will be an in-class essay test covering the first three chapters of the textbook. No problems!!
Final: The final exam will come in the last week on the last day of class (June 8). It will primarily cover the final two chapters of the text, but will also include some things from the first three chapters. It will also be an essay test!
Grades: Final grades will be based on performance in the following categories.
Attendance and Participation (20%)
Writing Assignments (30%)
Group Projects & Presentations (20%)
Mid-term Examination (10%)
Final Examination (20%)
Instructor: Stephen P. van Vlack
Office: Sookmyung Professional Center (Injaegwan) 410
Telephone: 710-7761
E-mail: [email protected]
P.S. There will also be a complimentary website for this class. I will be posting notes and summaries each week, so make sure you go and look at it. The address is:
http://www.geocities.com/utlaagt