Advanced English Discussion & Writing II
| Numbering Code | G-BIO21 65010 LE48 | Year/Term | 2022 ・ Intensive, Second semester | |
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| Number of Credits | 1 | Course Type | Lecture | |
| Target Year | Doctoral students | Target Student | ||
| Language | English | Day/Period | Intensive | |
| Instructor name | HEJNA, James (Graduate School of Biostudies Specially Appointed Professor) | |||
| Outline and Purpose of the Course | This class continues the development of presentation and discussion skills in English, as in Advanced English Discussion and Writing in Life Science I, with the long-term goal of preparing you for an international scientific career. This course will allow you to further develop your English language skills by giving oral presentations. Group discussions will be friendly, but objective. In addition, a homework writing exercise will give you practice in writing a short document, such as an abstract, introduction, specific aims, or methods. There will also be some time during each class period to work on "editing practice". Typically, I find published articles from low-impact journals, written by non-native English speakers, with many grammatical or stylistic errors. Working together, we will improve these writing samples. Enrollment will be limited to just 3-4 students, to allow each student to present two 60-minute oral presentations and a 10-minute talk, There will be ample opportunities for informal discussion in a low-stress environment. | |||
| Course Goals |
You will be able to present an hour-long talk in journal club format, and an hour-long talk about your research, as well as 10-minute talk. Alternatively, you may prepare a lecture on a topic that would be appropriate for an upper division undergraduate biology course. In addition, a writing assignment will help you to identify areas where you can improve your science writing in English. These skills will be useful later in your career when you begin giving seminars,attending meetings, writing papers, and/or teaching. |
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| Schedule and Contents |
Two sections are offered. A: Fall Term, Tuesdays, 16:45-18:15 B: Fall Term, Thursdays, 16:45-18:15 Course Schedule: 10/18 and 10/20/2022 Introductions and discussion of class structure and organization, 11/8 and 11/10/2022 Student 1, presentation and discussion of a recent research article. 11/15 and 11/17/2022 Student 2, presentation and discussion of a recent research article. 11/29 and 12/1/2022 Student 3, presentation and discussion of a recent research article. 12/6 and 12/8/2022 Student 1, presentation of individual research*, and a 10-minute talk. 12/13 and 12/15/2022 Student 2, presentation of individual research, and a 10-minute talk. 12/20 and 12/22/2022 Student 3, presentation of individual research, and a 10-minute talk. 12/27 and 1/5/2023 wrap-up class. *Note, if you prefer not to present your research, you may choose to present a 2nd "journal club" talk, or a lecture for senior undergraduate students on a topic that you are familiar with. The schedule above is for 3 students per section. If 4 students are enrolled, the schedule will change accordingly, by adding one additional class. In addition, there will be a written homework exercise (about 2 pages) designed to develop professional skills, such as writing abstracts, introductions, specific aims, or methods, due by Jan. 20,2023. |
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| Evaluation Methods and Policy |
Evaluation will be based on attendance, effort, participation, and progress, with allowances for differences in English proficiency among students. Further details will be announced in the first lecture. |
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| Course Requirements |
The class is limited to doctoral students. There are no other requirements. Students should have a solid foundation in English. 3-4 students x 2 sections |
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| Study outside of Class (preparation and review) |
Students should read current literature to find an article to present for class. Students who will present an article for class should send the URL to the other students 2-3 days before the class, or send the URL to the professor, who will post it on PandA, to allow the other students an opportunity to read the article beforehand. Reading an article may take several hours. Preparation of an hour-long talk usually takes several days, and it involves doing extensive background reading. The written assignment may take a day or two, depending on how much you would like to write! |
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| Textbooks | Textbooks/References |
None required. Suggested: English for Oral Presentations, Speaking Exercises. C.S. Langham. Ishiyaku Publishers, Inc., Tokyo.: 2010 Suggested for writing: English for Writing Research Papers 2nd ed. Adrian Wallwork. Springer; 2016 |
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| References, etc. | None required | |||
