Postechian Core Capabilities: Global Citizen Capability (70%), Creative Convergence Capability (30%)

This course is designed to improve students’ English ability through Extensive Reading (ER) activities. ER means doing a lot of reading to learn English language, especially literary works. The authentic reading materials used in this course are books for young adults, which will be used to improve EFL learners’ speaking and writing ability as well as reading ability. Reading is the most fundamental activity in learning knowledge and this course aims to enhance not only reading ability but also other language skills. After taking this course, students can be confident about using English.

One of the goals of this course is to improve students' ability of awareness as global citizens by achieving a good command of English, a world language, through which all intellectual activities are conducted. The other goal, as a consequence of being a global citize, of course, is to enhance creative abilities that can lead to the convergence capability that include creative thinking, combination of knowledge, and combination of experience.

Level 2 should be completed for the students up to 2017. For students who are 2018 or later, if placed based on the test score.

3. Evaluation
Homework assignments 2) and 3) must be submitted to PLMS 30 minutes before class or a mark of 0 will be given on that day
1) Quiz (20%) Online in-class reading comprehension quiz
2) Response Journal (RJ) (20%)
-RJ before class-10%
-RJ after class-10% Write overall feelings on reading as homework and after discussion as in-class writing
3) Literature Circle Roles (10%) Discussion Director, Connector, Word Master, Culture Collector (work on one role for each class)-homework
4) Project Portfolio Writing (10%)
- Project Portfolio Writing 1 (5%)
- Project Portfolio Writing 2 (5%) 2 portfolio writings (3 newspaper articles per writing, 6 articles in total)
5) Project Zoom Recording + Project Reflection Journal (30%)
-Project Zoom Recording 1 + Project Reflection Journal 1 (10%)
- Project Zoom Recording 2 + Project Reflection Journal 2 (10%)
- Project Zoom Recording 3 + Project Reflection Journal 3 (10%) Exchange Language with students at NUS via Zoom and write a reflection journal
6) Individual Project Presentation (10%) A ppt slide, a script

N/A

Advanced Reading Fall 2024 Schedule (subject to change)
Week Date Reading Project Project Due date
1 M9/2 Introduction
W9/4 Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman (SYMF)
p.9: Vitals -p.41: Who Stole the Door?
2 M9/9 SYMF p.42: Latin or Italian-
p.76: A Map of the Cat?
W9/11 SYMF p.77: Monster Minds-
p.106: Testing Bloodhounds
3 M9/16 Chusuk Holiday – no class
W9/18 Chusuk Holiday – no class
4 M9/23 Discussion of Project Portfolio 1
Project Portfolio Writing 1 + Zoom Recording 1 9/22, 11:59pm, Sunday
W9/25 SYMF p.107: Los Alamos from Below-
p.163: Uncle Sam Doesn’t Need You! Project Reflection Journal 1 9/25, 11:59pm, Wednesday
5 M9/30 SYMF p.165: The Dignified Professor-
p.219: O Americano, Outra Vez!
W10/2 SYMF p.220: Man of a Thousand Tongues-
p.287: Is Electricity Fire?
6 M10/7 SYMF p.288: Judging Books by Their Covers-p.346: Cargo Cult Science
W10/9 Hangeul Proclamation Day – no class
7 M10/14 Discussion of Project Portfolio 2
Project Portfolio Writing 2 + Zoom Recording 2 10/13, 11:59pm, Sunday
W10/16 Fahrenheit 451 Part I-1 Project Reflection Journal 2 10/16, 11:59pm, Wednesday
8 M10/21 Midterm exam period-no class
W10/23 Midterm exam period-no class
9 M10/28 Fahrenheit 451 Part I-2
W10/30 Fahrenheit 451 Part II
10 M11/4 Fahrenheit 451 Part III
W11/6 Movie Review
https://seed131.bitchute.com/9hdsyffVA905/xv50v6sGhusH.mp4

11 M11/11 Individual Project Presentation
Final Project Presentation Materials + Zoom Recording 3 11/10, 11:59pm, Sunday
W11/13 Individual Project Presentation Project Reflection Journal 3 11/13, 11:59pm, Wednesday
12 M11/18 Flowers for Algernon, Epigraph ~progress report 8
W11/20 Flowers for Algernon, progress reports 9-10
13 M11/25 Flowers for Algernon, progress reports 11
W11/27 Flowers for Algernon, progress reports 12-13
14 M12/2 Flowers for Algernon, progress reports 14
W12/4 Flowers for Algernon, progress reports 15-16
15 M12/9 Flowers for Algernon, progress reports 17
W12/11 Movie Review
https://youtu.be/tKcWihdna3I?si=QcQz6EmvXDk0mEa9

16 M12/16 Final exam period-no class
W12/18 Final exam period-no class

This class consists of reading and writing done at home and presentation and discussion done in class. Students are expected to write Literature Circles and Response Journal at home before every class. Students are expected to participate actively in class discussions based on their writings. By so doing, this takes the format of Flipped Learning, in which learning occurs at home and discussion is done in classroom.

5. Collaboration with students of the National University of Singapore (NUS)
Throughout the semester, you will collaborate with students taking Level 7 Korean at the National University of Singapore (NUS). NUS (https://nus.edu.sg/) is a well-reputed university whose students are the most competitive from Asia. NUS is ranked at World #8 and top in Asia in QS World University Rankings 2025 (https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/national-university-singapore-nus#p2-rankings), when POSTECH is ranked at #98 and #19, respectively.

NUS students in Level 7 Korean are learning advanced-level Korean and tend to be highly interested in the Korean culture. You will be grouped with several of them and required to meet with your group members 3 times for a minimum of 40 minutes per meeting on zoom (https://www.zoom.us/). You are to discuss the topics you chose, record your meetings and upload the recordings on PLMS.

The online meetings are scheduled to occur throughout the semester. Remain well-mannered while in communication with your international buddies: You are a representative of the school and possibly the country for them. At the same time, try to have fun with them! This course gives you rare opportunities to interact directly with Singaporean students and learn about each other’s culture directly.


6. Project Portfolio
A. Evaluation Criteria: Writing 1 & 2 (total 6 newspaper/news articles)
B. Method
i. Briefly write the reason or background for selecting the topic.
ii. Include sources (resources, website links, etc.) of newspaper articles or news related to the project topic.
iii. Organize new vocabulary and expressions learned from each article.
iv. Summarize the content of each studied article.
v. Write your thoughts and opinions on each article.
*Evaluation Criteria: How thoroughly you have researched and organized the content related to the project topic.
*Submission Deadline: By 11:59 PM on Sunday, September 15, 2024 / By 11:59 PM on Sunday, October 13, 2024
*Submission Method: PLMS
C. AI Tool Usage Guidelines
We recognize the increasing role of AI tools in academic work and would like to provide guidelines for their responsible use.

AI Tool Usage: You are permitted to use any AI tool to support your learning and assignments.

 For all assignments, please submit two versions of your work:
 Your original draft: This demonstrates your initial understanding and effort.
 Revised version: This showcases the improvements made with the assistance of AI tools.
 Clearly indicate the sections or portions of your work that were enhanced using AI.
 For example:
 1) Your original draft; 2) Revised version by AI tools; 3) What I learned [specific areas]
 By following these guidelines, you demonstrate your ability to critically engage with AI technology while maintaining academic integrity.
 I encourage you to use AI as a learning tool, but remember that it should complement, not replace, your own critical thinking and analysis.

7. Project Reflection Journal
A. Evaluation Criteria: Project Portfolio Writing 1 & 2 + Zoom Recording 1, 2, & 3
B. Method
i. You will have 3 Zoom meetings with NUS students throughout the semester. After each Zoom meeting, you will write a Project Reflection Journal on your general experience in the exchanges with the NUS students.
ii. It includes 1) a brief summary of the meeting; 2) good/ bad parts of the exchange processes during the meeting; 3) things that you wanted to discuss, but didn’t, or things you want to discuss next time; 4) your overall feelings
*Evaluation Criteria: How frankly/sincerely you describe the Language and Culture Exchange processes with the NUS students.
*Submission Deadline: By 11:59 PM on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 / By 11:59 PM on Wednesday, October 16, 2024/ By 11:59 PM on Wednesday, November 13, 2024
*Submission Method: PLMS

8. Individual Project Presentation
A. Topic: Compare "Korea and Singapore’s Society and Culture". You can find topics from newspapers, news articles, and the Internet.
B. Objective:
i. Intercultural Education: Understand Korea and Singapore’s society and culture in-depth.
ii. English Proficiency Improvement: Gain deeper knowledge of a topic while preparing for the project, study and practice related vocabulary, expressions, and grammar.
C. Portfolio: Organize the studied content related to the topic and write your thoughts or opinions on it.
D. Presentation Date: WEEK 11 (November 11 and 13)
E. Presentation Time: 8-9 minutes. Do not let the time for presentations decrease due to too many videos related to the topic. The total video time during the presentation should not exceed 2 minutes.
F. Format and Preparation: Use PPT slides and multimedia materials. Prepare a script.
G. Evaluation:
i. Script (Content): Was the presentation script well-written?
ii. Presentation: Was the grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and fluency used in the presentation appropriate?
iii. Preparation: Was the preparation for the presentation sufficient?
iv. Peer Review: Whose presentation did peers like the most?

9. Virtual Discussion with NUS students
In your discussion with NUS students, please do not make comments that could be considered gender discrimination (성차별) and racial discrimination (인종차별) or comments about one’s appearance (외모 비하). Do not ask highly personal questions such as sexuality (성정체성), religion, income, marital status, and medical issues unless they initiate these topics themselves.
Here are ten discussion topics based on current events and issues that can be gathered from newspapers and news articles, tailored for university students from Korea and Singapore to discuss during language and culture exchange sessions via Zoom:
POSTEH students NUS students
1. **Impact of Technology on Society**
- How is the rapid advancement of technology affecting daily life in Korea and Singapore?
- What are the societal implications of increasing reliance on digital platforms in both countries?
2. **Education Reform and Innovation**
- How are Korea and Singapore addressing the need for education reform to prepare students for the future?
- What innovative approaches are being implemented in the education systems of both countries?
3. **Cultural Heritage Preservation Amidst Urbanization**
- How are Korea and Singapore balancing urban development with the preservation of cultural heritage?
- What are the challenges and successes in maintaining traditional architecture and cultural sites?
4. **Responses to the Aging Population**
- How are Korea and Singapore dealing with the challenges posed by an aging population?
- What social and economic policies are being implemented to support the elderly in both countries?
5. **Globalization and Its Effects on Local Cultures**
- How is globalization influencing cultural practices and identities in Korea and Singapore?
- What are the concerns and benefits of cultural homogenization due to global influences?
6. **Environmental Sustainability and Green Initiatives**
- What are the most pressing environmental issues in Korea and Singapore, and how are they being addressed?
- How are young people in both countries participating in green initiatives and sustainability efforts?
7. **Work-Life Balance and Mental Health Awareness**
- How are Korea and Singapore addressing the growing concerns about work-life balance and mental health?
- What initiatives are in place to support mental well-being among students and young professionals?
8. **Media and Freedom of Expression**
- How do Korea and Singapore compare in terms of media freedom and the role of journalism in society?
- What are the current debates around freedom of expression in both countries?
9. **Economic Trends and Youth Employment**
- How are the economic trends in Korea and Singapore affecting job opportunities for university graduates?
- What are the strategies for reducing youth unemployment in both countries?
10. **Cultural Exchange and Soft Power**
- How are Korea and Singapore using cultural diplomacy to enhance their global influence?
- What role does pop culture play in shaping the international image of both countries?

Reading books is the best way to improve language skills and knowledge thereof.