Introduction Class

29 Janeiro 2019, 12:00 • David Alan Prescott

Introduction and explanation of aims etc.:

1. Aims of Course

The overall aim of this semester unit will be to practise and assess skills in the area of analysis and production of English of a high standard, with specific classes aimed at the language of the modern media and its role in the world as one of the themes. Particular attention will be paid to the way that English has changed and developed through the influence of the print and broadcasting media and how media English has influenced other languages. Equally, as it is extremely common for students of English even at this high level to be baffled at the English used in newspapers, one of the aims will be to teach the style of the language used in the press

 

2. Length of Course

The length of the course will be about 50 plus hours.

 

3. Assessment

Assessment will be based on two elements: one written work in class, usually referred to as a test paper, and the second element, which is presence and participation in classroom activity.

Please, when this is possible, write your test on a laptop and print it out at the end of the test. During the tests you can consult anything you like.

 

4. Bibliography and Dictionaries

A workbook available in the form of photocopies.

Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language

 

The following is a list of works which may be useful in the fields of writing in terms of style, punctuation and presentation.

 

BLAMIRES, Harry, (2000). The Penguin Guide to Plain English. Penguin, UK

CAREY, G.V., (1939). Mind the Stop: A brief guide to punctuation. Penguin, UK

KANE, Thomas S., (1988). The Oxford Essential Guide to Writing. Berkley, USA

ROBERTS, P.D., (1987). Plain English. A User's Guide. Penguin, UK

STRUNK JR., W. & WHITE, E.B., (2000). The Elements of Style. Allen & Bacon, USA

TRUSS, Lynne, (2003). Eats, Shoots and Leaves. Profile Books, UK

 

 

Programme and assessment rules. Getting to know the students.

28 Janeiro 2019, 08:00 • Isabel Maria Ferro Mealha

Programme and assessment rules. Getting to know the students.

English for the Media

C2 (Mastery)

 Second Semester 2018/2019 (TP3)

 Lecturer: Isabel Ferro Mealha

Email address: isabelmealha@campus.ul.pt

 

AIMS

The course will follow the objectives for the Mastery Level (C2) outlined in the Council of Europe document Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF). At the end of the semester, the student will have learned some aspects of a style of writing and of a specific language used in the written press and the rolling news channels in English. These aspects include the vocabulary and grammar as used by the printed press. The student will be able to read and understand texts from such different sources as the so-called popular press and the quality press mainly from the UK and the USA.

 

TOPICS

Classes will involve the reading of newspapers, comparison and contrast of the stylistic features typical of popular and quality newspapers, analysis of television news broadcasts (when this is possible) and the studying of examples of English language change and development in newspaper texts. Additionally, students will be encouraged to produce different types of newspaper texts (e.g. news reports, editorials, letters to the editor, and columns).

 

ASSESSMENT AND GRADING SYSTEM

In accordance with Regulamento Geral de Avaliação da Faculdade de Letras da Universidade de Lisboa, students will be assessed on oral and written work throughout the semester. Weighting will be as follows:

 

·      Writing test - 50%  (May 6)

·       Speaking test - 25%: individual in-class press review presented throughout the semester; presentation dates will be agreed upon with the lecturer at the beginning of the semester)

·      In-class oral and written assignments & active participation - 20%

·      Attendance - 5%.

 

Since assessment will be conducted on a regular basis, any task that is not submitted when due and/or any form of plagiarism will be given a zero. Any student who fails to do one of the above-mentioned tests/tasks will be given a zero. Worker students may, if they so wish, opt for continuous assessment (in which case they will have to comply with all the assessment criteria set for regular students) OR sit an examination to be held in May 2019. The examination will focus on the contents of the syllabus adopted for the course English for the Media (C2).

 

ATTENDANCE

Attendance is compulsory. For exceptions, please check the Regulamento geral de avaliação da faculdade de letras da universidade de Lisboa at http://www.letras.ulisboa.pt/pt/sobre-a-flul/legislacao/normas-e-regulamentos/faculdade-de-letras-da-universidade-de-lisboa/181--133/file.

 

Absence from class should be reported by email to the teacher prior to missing a class, if at all possible, or as soon as possible after a student misses a class. Reporting an absence does not automatically “excuse” missed work. In these cases, students should contact the teacher to discuss what options may be available. If the absence is due to illness or other emergency, please submit a doctor’s note or any other appropriate documentation within the following ten working days (see Artigo 4, alínea 2, RGA, FLUL).

 

Please be punctual and do not use cell phones (and earbuds) in class. Exceptions will be negotiated one-on-one. Texting, emailing, surfing the web, posting on social media in class is extremely disrupting to other students, and a waste of your time in class. Students who are found disruptive of other students' learning will be asked to leave the room.

 

Students are welcome to use their own laptops, tablets, etc. for in-class assignments when not otherwise specified.

 

 

LECTURER/STUDENT COMMUNICATION

You will be asked to provide your individual email address. You should make sure that you (a) give a correct email address; (b) check your email on a regular basis. Please do not expect a reply to your emails after 8 pm on the eve of each class. 

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

English for the Media Workbook Second Semester 2018-2019 (compulsory – please bring your workbook to every class) – available from Reprografia Vermelha.

Extra materials will be sent by email.

 

Isabel Ferro Mealha

January 2019