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Course: Intermediate English Reading & Writing (HSS011 Section B)

Spring 2014
Instructor: Alice Kim
Office: N4, Room 1314
Phone Number: 042-350-4644
Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays, 1-3 pm
Email: khakim@kaist.ac.kr
Class Times & Location: Mondays & Wednesdays 10:30 am - 12 pm, N4 1111
Required Textbook: Introduction to Academic Writing Level 3 (3rd Ed.) by
Oshima & Hogue (Longman)
Course Description: This intermediate course for undergraduates is designed to help
students develop their reading and writing skills. Students will learn to write paragraphs within a
variety of rhetorical patterns with clarity, coherence, and substance, and they will be introduced
to basic essay writing. The course is also designed to help students develop reading strategies
and advance to longer, more complex reading materials.
Goals:
Plan and write paragraphs that are mechanically, grammatically, and organizationally
sound.
Plan and write a short multi-paragraph essay that is mechanically, grammatically, and
organizationally sound.
Assess and respond to English-language reading material at an academic level on a
variety of topics.
Objectives: To achieve the goals listed above, students will developcompetenciesin the
categories listed below.
Writing:
Process Writing: Apply brainstorming, outlining, drafting, self-editing, peer-editing, and
revision.
Rhetorical Forms: Apply various rhetorical forms of expository and argumentative
writing. These forms may include comparison/contrast, cause-and-effect, persuasive, and
opinion writing.
Mechanics: Develop a command of the basic mechanics of written English, including
punctuation, spelling, and capitalization.
Grammar: Form simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.
Coherence: Clarify the relationships between ideas through the appropriate use of
transition signals and organizing principles.

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Academic Integrity: Avoid plagiarism through appropriate application of quotation,
paraphrasing, summary, and citation.
Reading:

Combine previewing/surveying materials and background knowledge to predict content.

Use reading techniques such as skimming, scanning, and intensive reading.
Use context clues to understand vocabulary.
Identify the central point, main ideas, supporting ideas, and details of academic materials.
Distinguish between fact and opinion.
Summarize material from a single source and from multiple sources.

Grading:
Participation & Attendance: 20%
Vocabulary Journal: 10%
Writing Journal: 15%
Midterm Exam: 15%
Final Exam: 20%
Papers: 20%
Vocabulary Journal: Students will be required to maintain a vocabulary journal throughout
the semester. Students will write 10 new words in their journal that they have come across while
at school, watching tv, reading, etc., as well as their definitions. This is due every Monday.
Students will briefly test each other on their ability to understand and remember their selected
vocabulary in the following week.
Writing Journal: Students will be required to maintain a writing journal in order to enhance
their English writing skills. A journal is an informal type of writing practice that is very useful
when learning a new language. Students are required to write at least 1 page per entry, and must
write in their journal at least (2) twice a week.
- Students may write about any topic of their choice.
- The professor will provide optional topics for students that have difficulty deciding on a
topic, but they will not be expected to use these topics if they dont want to.
- Students will NOT be graded based on their topic selection, but on their writing effort and
improvement throughout the semester.
- There will be no deadline for the writing journal. The professor will randomly select days
to collect the students journals to provide feedback.
- Failure to complete this assignment will result in a severe deduction of your final grade!
Class Schedule: (subject to change)
Dates

Contents

3/3, 3/5

Introduction; Needs Analysis

3/10, 3/12

Chapter 1

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3/17, 3/19

Chapter 2

3/24, 3/26

Chapter 3

3/31, 4/2

Chapter 4

4/7, 4/9

Chapter 5

4/14

Chapter 5; Review for Midterm

4/16

Midterm Exam

4/21, 4/23

No class (Midterm Week)

4/28, 4/30

Chapter 6

5/5

Childrens Day - no class

5/7, 5/12, 5/14

Chapter 7

5/19, 5/21

No class (Chapter 8)

5/26, 5/28

Chapter 9

6/2, 6/4, 6/9

Chapter 10

6/11

Final Exam

Attendance Policy: 5 unexcused absences may result in automatic failure of the course. Students
must provide documentation in order for absences to be excused. Students will be marked
tardy/late after the first 10 minutes of class. Please be on time to class!
Cell Phone Policy: Students are NOT allowed to use their cell phones during class for any
reason. Please keep cell phones in your bag to prevent distractions.
Academic Integrity: Students who intentionally submit work that is clearly not their own,
fabricate data or other information, or engage in cheating will be subject to severe penalties. As
part of the KAIST community, please do not violate the principles of academic and professional
integrity that are important to this university.
Late Assignments: All assignments have to be completed on time. Late assignments will be
marked down as a zero. If you are seriously ill or have a family emergency, you need to notify
me via email as soon as you know.