Contemporary Issues III

This advanced three hour ESL course provides extensive reading of newspapers, magazines, and Internet sources. Students will explore contemporary issues and their historical context while expanding their vocabulary and further developing their linguistic and critical thinking skills. They will learn to recognize the author's point of view, distinguish between news reports and editorial commentary, and interpret related charts and graphs. Students will be required to summarize, discuss, and interpret issues in these sources. There will be written homework assignments and various kinds of in-class writing. Assessment will be based upon students' knowledge of events and their ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the course materials. Upon completion of the course, students will have broadened their general knowledge base and acquired the necessary skills to respond critically to contemporary issues.

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