Stephen van Vlack
Sookmyung Women`s University
Graduate School of TESOL
Human Learning and Cognition
Policy - Spring 2006
Overview: This three-hour-per-week course has two main components. The first of these is the brain and memory component. For the winter reading project students will be reviewing some very basic material on the brain in order to get a solid overview of how the brain works in general. Once we get into the classroom students will be looking at how memory and learning can be incorporated into the modern framework of an integrated brain (Terry, 200?). The second component revolves around brain structure and functioning as it relates specifically to language. Here we will be looking at different elements of language and how they can be explained through theories of brain structure and functioning (Lieberman, 2000). In effect we are looking for ways in this course to tie together the brain and language in a holistic, principled way.
Objectives: This objective of this class is to give the students an opportunity to delve deeply into some of the newer theories about the brain and memory which are going to have a tremendous impact in the area of language learning and teaching in the near future. As usual, the objectives of the course revolve around acquisition of the concepts covered as well as their practical application in the classroom. By the end of the course students should have a strong overview of current theories of the brain particularly in relation to memory, language and cognition. In addition, students should be able to take this new knowledge and use it to design materials and create lessons which correspond to these new ideas for a greater overall effect.
Texts and Materials
Classroom Texts
■ Terry, W. Scott. (2000 [1st Edition]) (2002 [2nd Edition] (2005 [3rd Edition]) Learning and memory: Basic principles, process, and procedures. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
■ Lamb, Sydney. (1999). Pathways of the brain. Amsterdam: John Benjamins.
■ Lieberman, Philip. (2000). Human language and our reptilian brain. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press.
We will be reading each of the se books in their entirety. As for the Terry book, there are three editions which can be bought online, all of which are stunningly similar. You are free to get any of the editions you like as they are all so similar. Get the cheapest.
♦ Additional Materials: Students must bring to each class a folder to hold any papers that the instructor gives out. There will be a lot of handouts.
Winter Reading Text
• Ratey, John. (2002). A user`s guide to the brain. Vintage Books.
Ratey (2002) is an excellent and entertaining introduction to the functions and working of the brain in general, but with special emphasis on psychological issues.
Methodology
English Only: Students must conduct all course work in English. This means all writing, note-taking, and discussion must be in English. Use of Korean in the discussion will result in a significantly lower participation grade as, of course, will stunted or lackluster participation.
Classroom: In the class the students are expected to take an active role in discussions and classwork. This will enable the class to be much more student-centered. Following this we will try to use a small portion of class time for lecture and much larger proportion of the time should be used for activities and discussion.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and to be prepared when they do so. Failure to attend 2 or more classes will result in a significantly lower grade. If students know that they are going to be absent in advance they are requested to contact the instructor in advance.
Assignments: In addition to the regular reading assignment there will also be written homework or various kinds given each week. All homework, unless specifically stipulated, must be typed and handed in on the day it is due. Students should expect a fair bit of written work to do for this class.
Winter Reading Project: The winter project is due on March 14th (Week 2). It basically revolves around reading Ratey (2002) writing up responses to the text. The basic purpose of this is to give students a basic introduction to some of the general concepts we will be going over.
Midterm Project: The midterm project is due on May 2nd (week 9). It will cover the first half of Terry (200?). Students will be expected to show a clear understanding of the concepts presented and discussed up to and including week 8. The exact format of the project remains to be seen.
Final Project: The final project will involve the student having to extend the theories we have learned in this class. They have two options in which to do this; a theoretical one and a practical one. Details on the exact nature and format of the final project will be given in due time.
Grades: Final grades will be based on performance in the following categories.
Class Participation 25%
Assignments 25%
Reading Project 10%
Midterm Project 15%
Final Project 25%
Instructor - Stephen P. van Vlack
Office - Sookmyung Professional Center (Injaegwan) 410
Tel. - 710-7761
E-mail - [email protected]
There is also a web site to accompany this course. The address is:
http://www.geocities.com/utlaagt
• It is important that you go there periodically to post messages/inquiries on the web board and to get assignments and class summaries.