新聞英文

Course Description: Newspaper English This course, ‘Newspaper English,’ focuses on enhancing your critical reading and discussion (i.e., speaking) skills. By the end of this course, you will be able to analyze complex arguments, evaluate diverse perspectives, and present your ideas effectively. You’ll engage with news articles to build fluency and apply effective reading strategies, such as distinguishing between fact and opinion, evaluating sources, and identifying different points of view. You may also explore how AI chatbots can aid in your analytical processes. Weekly participation is crucial. You must read the assigned materials before class, as you’ll actively engage in discussing them. Course Objectives By the end of this course, you will be able to: • Equip yourself with efficient reading skills and critical thinking abilities. • Conduct discussions and debates rationally. • Develop skills and strategies for independent thinking in the age of AI chatbots, including how to effectively utilize rather than simply copy AI-generated responses.

This course requires a CEFR level of B1-B2.

 Teaching Methods:  Lectures  Open discussion, with students presenting feedback after reading the assigned texts.  All reading materials are provided when the semester begins. Important Notes: • The selected articles cover debatable topics, but they do not reflect the lecturer’s political stance. The lecturer maintains neutrality and does not show favoritism toward any political ideologies or parties. • You’re welcome to utilize AI chatbots to organize your thoughts and polish your paragraphs. However, since this course emphasizes independent thinking and the effective utilization of AI, you may not merely copy an AI-generated response and submit it as your critical response. • As part of your assignment, you may be required to share the prompts you give to the AI chatbot and explain how its responses assist you with your thinking process when there are concerns about the originality or commonality of your responses. • You may also take screenshots of the prompts that you give to the AI chatbot and its responses to provide clear documentation if questions arise.

 No mid-term exam.  No final exam.  Weekly Participation in Open Discussion (50% of final grade): You’ll deliver approximately 8 presentations throughout the semester, each lasting 2.5 to 3 minutes.  Critical Feedback on Classmate Presentations (50% of final grade): For each of the approximately 8 presentation weeks, you’re required to ask questions or provide constructive feedback on two classmates’ interpretation and analysis of the assigned text (25% for each). Attendance & Late Policy  Missing class means you’ll miss the opportunity to contribute and shine, and this will be reflected in your scores. Please be aware of the following policies regarding leave requests: o Arriving 10 minutes after the scheduled class time will result in an unexcused absence.  For the following types of leave, please communicate your absence and any arrangements for missed work promptly. o Sick Leave (病假): A doctor’s note is required for all sick leave requests. o Menstrual Leave (生理假): You may take menstrual leave twice per semester without providing a doctor’s note. o Official Business Leave (公假) & Bereavement Leave (喪假):  In all cases of absence, you are responsible for catching up on any missed material. Please share updates on your missed work with me the week after your return.  Important Note on Bereavement Leave: Do not falsely claim a grandparent’s death multiple times. Policies regarding bereavement leave are in place to support students during difficult times and are subject to verification. Weekly Participation in Open Discussion (50% of final grade):  You’ll deliver approximately 8 presentations throughout the semester, each lasting 2.5 to 3 minutes.  When it’s your turn to discuss an article, use the Toulmin argument framework.  You can share what you find most important, problematic, or intriguing and provide two reasons as to why you think so.  Your discussion/presentation should last 2.5 to 3 minutes and follow a clear paragraph structure: It must have a topic sentence, two elaborating examples, and a conclusive remark. Critical Feedback on Classmate Presentations (50% of final grade):  For each of the approximately 8 presentation weeks, you’re required to ask questions or provide constructive feedback on two classmates’ interpretation and analysis of the assigned text (35% for each).  You may also present an argument when you ask questions, and suggest areas for improvement, such as inconsistencies or logical flaws in reasoning within their analyses or presentations.  Use the Toulmin argument framework.

Online resources