4/29/2024 11:48:28 AM	ESL 391 Course Outline as of Spring 2017	New Course (First Version)
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  ESL 391	Title:  U.S. LIFE CULTURE ESL
Full Title:  U.S. Life and Culture for ESL Learners
Last Reviewed:3/25/2024

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	1.50	Lecture Scheduled	1.50		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	26.25
Minimum	1.50	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	1.50			Contact Total	26.25
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  52.50

Total Student Learning Hours: 78.75

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Non-Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

This course is designed to introduce non-native English speaking students to the daily life, culture, and education systems of the United States. Students will learn the vocabulary and oral communication skills necessary to function in U.S. society, including academic settings, through a combination of lectures by local experts, organized field trips, and authentic experiences.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Course Eligibility for ESL 371 OR ESL 371A

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

This course is designed to introduce non-native English speaking students to the daily life, culture, and education systems of the United States. Students will learn the vocabulary and oral communication skills necessary to function in U.S. society, including academic settings, through a combination of lectures by local experts, organized field trips, and authentic experiences.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Course Eligibility for ESL 371 OR ESL 371A
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Not Certificate/Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1.  Compare and contrast American culture and the culture of another country.

2.  Explain and analyze the U.S. educational system and academic expectations of American higher education institutions.

3.  Use level-appropriate vocabulary and communication skills to discuss American cultural and educational topics.

 

Objectives:

Upon completion of the course students will be able to:

1.  Identify major social, cultural, and educational aspects of the United States.

2.  Demonstrate critical thinking skills in connection to various topics in U.S. culture.

3.  Examine the current educational system of the United States, particularly in regards to expectations in institutions of higher education.

4.  Use appropriate vocabulary to analyze the similarities and differences between American culture and another culture.

5. Demonstrate communicative competence in a variety of social and educational settings.

Topics and Scope

I. Current Cultural Beliefs and Norms

  A. Social class structures

  B. Behavioral expectations

  C. Holidays

  D. The Arts

  E. Food and Diet

  F. Recreation and Sports

II. Education Systems

  A. Academic requirements in higher education

  B. Classroom norms and behavioral expectations

III. Geography

 A. Local landmarks and their historical or popular significance

 B. Travelling in the Bay Area

IV. Oral Communication Skills

 A. Conversation skills

 B. Presentation skills

 C. Pronounciation

V. Vocabulary Recognition and Use

 A. Idiomatic expressions

 B. Colloquialisms

 C. Slang

Assignments:

1. Regular attendance in lectures and notetaking in class

2. Textbook reading (10 to 20 pages per week)

3. Three to five quizzes on the reading material and vocabulary; quizzes may include multiple choice, true/false, short answer, or essays

4. Weekly journals of at least 250 words

5. Final group or individual project and oral presentation

6. Class discussion and participation

7. Role plays

8. Regular attendance on field trip

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 10 - 20%
Journals, written homework
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 0 - 0%
None
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 10 - 20%
Quizzes
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 60 - 70%
Attendance and participation, field trips, projects, presentation, role plays

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

American Ways: An Introduction to American Culture 4th Edition, Datesman, Maryanne, 2014

All About the U.S.A. 3: A Cultural Reader 3rd Edition, Broukal, Milada, 2007 (classic)

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