OPIE D709 - American Culture

• Student will read authentic academic texts, newspaper and journal articles as well as poems and essays to learn about American culture. They will develop a general understanding of texts using SQ3R and context clues among other target reading skills
• Students will develop vocabulary that will enable them to communicate orally and in writing about topics related to American culture, one’s own culture, intercultural interactions as well as both historical and current events.
• Students will either give a major oral presentation or write a short academic paper on an approved topic related to American culture.
• Students will engage in a variety of speaking activities to improve their pronunciation as well as listening comprehension, to develop effective group discussion and team-work skills, and to practice and deliver presentations in front of an audience.
• Students will take notes, practice paraphrasing and acknowledging sources, and will write summaries and essays about topics related to both American and their own cultures.
• Through readings, lectures, films, and personal research students will study particular areas of American culture and will explore both how historical circumstances have shaped the culture and how these cultural values and traditions impact behavior.