Metropolitan Campus

Humanistic Studies Faculty

School of Modern Languages
English
Syllabus
I.

GENERAL INFORMATION: GEEN 1201

Course Tittle
Credits
Academic Term
II.

: Developing English Through Reading I

: 3 crs.
: 2013-13

DESCRIPTION:

Development of reading skills, with emphasis on critical reading. Refinement of the

English Language through oral presentations, paragraph writing and vocabulary
acquisition in context. Introduction to the development of writing paragraphs.
REQUIREMENTS
1. Score of 451 to 549 on CEEB English
2. Additional hours in a language laboratory.
III.

OBJECTIVES:

A. Terminal Objectives
By the end of the semester, the students should:
1 Further improve reading skills.
2. Expand knowledge and use of vocabulary.
3. Comprehend literary texts and relate to personal experiences
4. Develop academic writing and oral skills.
5. Develop their critical thinking skills to evaluate and argue in favor or against
topics
6. Review the Writing Process
7. Learn the elements of the story for better comprehension
SPECIAL NOTE: Competencies of the undergraduate student profile
1. Fluent in the English Language, capable of effective oral and written
skills.
2. Appreciates international and national arts, literature and music.
3. Technologically literate and skilled.
4. Applies prior knowledge to generate new ideas.
5. Capable of establishing effective interpersonal relationships and
rapport with his / her peers.
6. Capable of team work, understanding the value of diversity.

IV. COURSE CONTENT:

A. Introduction
1. Understand and use the pre-reading and reading strategies for
reading comprehension and enjoyment.
2 . Analyze the literary elements of the short story
3 . Predict, skim, scan and make inferences
4. Complete story Maps
5. Recognize themes and main ideas
B. Short Story
1. Summarize stories
2. Analyze and evaluate characters
3. Express personal views and react to issues
4 . Compare characters of different stories
5 . Evaluate and understand points of view
C.

Develop academic writing skills.

1. Understand the steps to follow in the writing process
2. Brainstorm and Categorize
3. Develop topic sentences or thesis statements
4 .Understand the differences between paragraphs and essays
5 . Develop supporting sentences and recognize
irrelevant information
6. Learn the methods of development for writing

D. Refine formal oral skills

1. Discuss guided and assigned independent readings
showing comprehension and understanding
2. Organize and articulate a coherent oral presentation by
taking sides on an issue, or presenting supporting details
to defend an opinion
3 . Distinguish between facts and opinions
E. Expand knowledge and use of vocabulary
1. Complete vocabulary exercises
2. Acquire vocabulary through context clues
3. Practice subject verb agreement sentences
4. Distinguish formal from informal discourse
IV. ACTIVITIES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Collaborative Activities
Oral Presentations
Group Work
Journal Writing-completing Diagrams
video & Games

VI. EVALUATION
Classwork Grade & activities 100
Exam 1
100
Exam 2
100

25%
25%
25 %

Mid Term
Total

25%
100%

100
400pts

VII. SPECIAL NOTES

1. Policy on plagiarism: (General Student Regulations, Chapter V, Article 1. B. 2.
C pp. 46). Plagiarism means using ideas or words of another person
without due recognition.
2. Students with disabilities or other special conditions must inform the
Dean of Students as soon as possible.
A.

Special assistance
Rights of students with disabilities In accordance with Section 504 of
the Rehabilitation Law, the Inter American University of Puerto Rico
will be providing reasonable and necessary accommodation to the
degree that is possible for students with disabilities so that they can
participate in academic life in the same manner that other students
without disabilities are able to participate.

B.

Plagiarism policy
All students should read the Student Regulations Handbook to become
familiar with the possible sanctions you are exposed to when you do not
comply with its regulations. Following is the link:
Plagiarism, dishonesty, fraud, and any other type of manipulation or
inappropriate behavior related with academic performance are
unacceptable in our institution. Disciplinary actions will be taken on
students found guilty of such practice as established in Chapter V,
Article 1, Section B.2 of the Students Rules and Regulations Handbook.
http://www.inter.edu/documentos/pdf/reg_est_eng_08.pdf

Inter has very strict regulations regarding plagiarizing (using the ideas or words
of others without giving proper credit), so it is important that you
specifically read Chapter 5, Section B.2.a. This section clearly explains
what plagiarism is. In addition, it explains the types of sanctions students
are exposed to when they commit it.

C.

VIII.

Electronic devices
All electronic devices, including cell phones, can interrupt teaching,
learning or alter environmental conditions that lead to academic
excellence.
In order to guarantee maximum learning conditions,
electronic devices are prohibited during exams.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:
Textbook: Stories for the Mind and Soul
by: Profs.Mezo & Vallejo
Heinle & Heinle 1998
ISBN: 968-7529-53-9

IX.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Colin Ward, From Reading to Writing

Pearson, 2010

Sybil Marcus, A World of Fiction. Addison Wesley,1995

McMahan, Day, and Funk, Literature and the Writing Process.
Pearson, Regent Hall, 9th edition NJ 2007
Chopin, Kate
Metropolitano
Five Stories of an Hour [videorecording]
PS1294.C63 F58 1992 1992
Poe, Edgar Allan
The Cask of amontillado [videorecording] Vavalli, Mario. 2004
Metro
PS2619 .C35 2004 2004 DVD
ON-LINE SITES
Academic Earth
http://www.academicearth.org/subjects/literature
Bartleby
http://www.bartleby.com/
Bibliomania
http://www.bibliomania.com/
English Literature on the Web
http://www.lang.nagoya-u.ac.jp/~matsuoka/EngLit.html
Films On Demand

English and Language Arts

http://www.metro.inter.edu/cai/index.asp
Literature Collection- Free Literature Online
http://www.literaturecollection.com/
Literary Resources on the Net
http://newark.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Lit/
The Literature Network
http://www.online-literature.com/
MitOpenCourseWare
http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/literature/
Project Gutenberg
http://www.gutenberg.org/

Revised by Prof. Theresa Mezo

October 2012