INTOMASONCORE5(AE30001)FALL2014

Days:

Monday- Friday

Teacher

Thomas Kozumplik

Time:

10:30-12:20

E-mail:

tkozumpl@gmu.edu

Classroom:

GL 1315

Office
Hours:

Monday-Friday by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This class will help better prepare you for academic study. You will start to use more sophisticated grammar and
vocabulary as you build your reading and writing skills. In addition, you will develop your critical thinking.T
Earning a Semester Grade Average of 80% in Level 5 classes will satisfy the language requirements for advancement to
Undergraduate Accelerated Pathway or Graduate Standard Pathway.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Upon successful completion of the course a student can :
READING
1) read faster a page from high-intermediate in five minutes
2) predict
a) generate questions from headings and sub-headings
b) read first and last sentences of each paragraph
c) use visual aids (charts, graphs, photos, maps)
3) use context clues (synonyms, antonyms, examples, contrast and word parts)
4) comprehend main ideas 70% of: high intermediate text; news, articles, reports in field; simple factual texts;
stories and novels written in a straightforward style
5) comprehend details- 70% of same in 5 above
6) use critical thinking
a) separate fact from opinion
b) identify logical fallacies
c) judge credibility of sources
7) recognize organization- 90% accuracy
a) purpose- inform, persuade, entertain
b) organization- definition/classify, process, compare-contrast, cause-effect, problem-solution
8) read for different purposes
a) skim 45 seconds a page
b) scan
9) infer
a) relate examples to larger themes
b) understand metaphors and analogies
c) recognize discourse markers and shades of vocabulary
d) recognize author's attitude 60%
e) interpret writing prompts
10) take notes
a) annotate texts
b) make outlines, mental/concept maps
11) use databases

short

WRITING
1)
2)
3)
4)

produce more under pressure 2 double-spaced sides in 30 minutes

write topic sentences- with good controlling ideas
write theses- can narrow topic for different lengths and purposes
give supporta) databases
b) evocative language that appeals to the senses including metaphors
5) organize thoughts clearly
a) connectors
b) repetition of key nouns
c) paragraphs
d) punctuation
6) write several draft 2-3 page essays for different purposes- compare/contrast, classification, process, cause-effect,
argument
a) brainstorm
b) outline
c) take notes
d) revise, proofread, gain peer feedback
e) write introductions- hooks
f) draw on a variety of support- personal, extended, statistics, quotations
g) cite- endnotes, footnotes
h) write a conclusion- summary+ parting thought
7) write with greater sophistication and style
a) use more sophisticated vocabulary- from Academic Word List (see below)
b) use more sophisticated grammar- (see below)
c) write with better style- few choppy and stringy sentences
VOCABULARY
1) use general academic vocabulary -140 academic words and know 40 common word parts
2) often identify and understand metaphors and idioms
3) use cardinal and ordinal numbers
GRAMMAR
show good grammatical control of the following

present perfect
all past : simple, continuous and perfect 70%
passive or active voice appropriately 70% of the time
modals of deduction, past and present
use adverb clauses (cause/effect, contrast/compare, time, connecting words)
use adjective clauses
use reported speech 70%
comfortably use first and second conditionals 90%

COURSE TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS:

Making Connections 3

Cambridge

POLICIES
90% attendance is required to pass. If you are late, leave early or take a break that lasts more than ten minutes this
counts as half an absence.
Cell phones must be turned OFF during class.
English only must be spoken in class.
Homework assignments must be completed on time. For every day an assignment is late, I will subtract a letter
grade ( for example, an 'A' essay will only receive a 'B')
If you are absent, in-class graded work cannot be made up (including quizzes or tests)

GRADING CRITERIA:
Writing Assignments =
Reading Assignments =
Mid-term and Final Exams =
Grammar Quizzes =
Vocabulary Quizzes=

25%
25%
30%
10%
10%

Final Grades: A=90-100, B=80-89, NG= 79 or below (or more than allowed absences).
The final exam is on 3 December.
SEMESTER GRADE AVERAGE
AE Course

Course Hours/Week

Course % Weight

Levels 1-7 Core

10

50%

Levels 1-7 OCS

30%

Elective I

10%

Elective II

10%

20

100%

GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY HONOR CODE:

Student members of the George Mason University community pledge not to cheat, plagiarize, steal, or lie in matters
related to academic work. http://academicintegrity.gmu.edu/honorcode