Presentations; Assessment; Semester planning.

28 Janeiro 2019, 08:00 • Lili Cavalheiro

1.  OBJECTIVES

By course completion students will be able to use argument and social discourse effectively, with a more developed awareness of discourse skills such as conversation management and the competent use of coherence/cohesion devices in written discourse. In addition, students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to negotiate using persuasive language and simple arguments.

Particular emphasis will be given to in-depth analysis of contemporary texts, ranging from short stories and novels to newspaper and magazine articles. Students will be expectedto convey a solid understanding of complex language structures and devices, to question and interpret specific cultural references, and to be capable of transmitting such skills through spoken and written discourse. Argument construction and organization will be developed and practiced through classroom debates, freeform discussions, and discursive writing.

These aims will be achieved by means of specific written and oral activities, which will serve as the basis for continuous assessment. These activities will include: 

- Reading (newspaper/ magazine articles, short stories and a novel);

- Writing (summaries, paragraphs and essays);

- Speaking (oral presentations and participation in class discussions);

- Listening and watching (documentaries, interviews and films). 

 

2. ASSESSMENT AND GRADING SYSTEM

Assessment will be continuous, and will consist of the following: 

One written test: 35%;

Research project on one of the themes of the programme: 25%;

Reading assignment: 25%;

Attendance, course work and participation: 15%.

 

2.1. Written Test (see Course Calendar): 27 March

NB: The Test will cover the coursework done until the date of the Test. If you do not come to class on the day you are meant to do your written Test or present your research project, you will get 0. 

2.2. Submission deadlines:

Optional essay: 25 February

Indicate who you are working with for the reading assignment: 11 March

Research project proposal: 1 April

2.3. Dates for the presentation of reading assignments:

TP8: 3, 15 & 24 April

TP9: 3, 8 & 10 April

2.4. Dates for the presentation of research projects:

TP8: 29 April, 6 & 8 May

TP9: 15, 24 & 29 April, 6 & 8 May

 

3.   BIBLIOGRAPHY

- The course book is available at the Green photocopy shop. Throughout the semester supplementary material will be posted in Moodle. The password will be given to you during the first week of classes.

- Compulsory reading:  Exit Westby Mohsin Hamid (2017)

The novel will be read outside the classroom and will be discussed in class on the stipulated date (see calendar). There is a reading assignment on the novel worth 25% of the final mark. 

Some Internet sites where books may be purchased: www.bookdepository.co.uk; www.amazon.co.uk; www.amazon.es; Alternatively, you could also try FNAC.

- Dictionaries:students are expected to have at least one of the following dictionaries:

Cambridge International Dictionary of English

Collins Cobuild Dictionary of English Language

Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture

Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English

The New Penguin English Dictionary