A combination of instructional methods will be used in order to balance instructional efficiency with individual student needs.
These methods will include lecture presentation, large and small group discussion, learning activities, individual assistance (in scheduled appointments), computer-assisted learning, and student-directed learning.
Writing
Throughout the process of producing a range of typical college assignments, students will receive instruction in how to improve their ability at the following core skills:
- Pre-writing
- understanding assignments and academic expectations
- using strategies for getting started
- dealing with procrastination and writer's block
- choosing and narrowing topics
- composing thesis and topic sentences
- devising research strategies for collecting information
- gathering evidence and making notes
- Drafting
- handling time and other constraints
- constructing beginnings and endings
- organizing information into different formats
- making connections and transitions between ideas in a text
- inserting quotations
- documenting sources and avoiding plagiarism
- composing essay-type answers in exam conditions
- Revising
- using feedback to revise drafts
- editing sentence construction and word choice
- preparing final documents and using style sheets
Reading
Students will receive instruction in the following skills areas using materials selected from a variety of academic disciplines and reflecting a range of sources, organizational patterns, topics and points of view.
- Identifying main ideas and central themes
- Differentiating main ideas and themes from supporting details
- Distinguishing fact from opinion
- Acquiring content-area vocabulary and terminology
- Recognizing author's tone, intent, and point of view
- Making generalizations
- Summarizing
- Making comparisons and synthesizing ideas from different sources
- Researching and compiling information from a variety of sources
- Participating in class discussion
- Leading class discussion
- Analyzing organization of text structure as an aid to comprehension
- Taking an historical perspective
- Critically evaluating text
- Developing flexibility in reading speed
Writing
The aims of the course are for students:
- To gain initial experience with handling a variety of typical college writing assignments from scratch;
- To gain experience with using peer feedback, instructor comment, and computer technology to assist the revision of drafts and the improvement of editing skills;
- To develop skill in analyzing assignments and understanding the tasks involved;
- To develop confidence in meeting successfully the requirements and conventions of college assignments and exams;
- To demonstrate competence in producing academic texts of an acceptable standard inside deadlines and under pressure.
Reading
The aims of this course are for students:
- To develop and practice effective strategies, skills and approaches to reading that are directed at the improvement of comprehension of college-level academic text;
- To broaden and deepen general as well as content-specific knowledge as a means of improving comprehension;
- To demonstrate comprehension of text both orally and in written form;
- To participate in class discussion and to work cooperatively in an academic setting.
Students will receive on-going feedback from the instructor throughout the course.
Students’ success will be graded, in accordance with the College policy and grading system.
Students may be required to purchase a textbook, course pack and/or computer disks.