Dear all,
Next session we will discuss the critical thinking articles (the two uploaded so far). Also, you will have to decide on the topic of your presentations and let me know. Presentations will take place on Friday 5 for section one students, and on Monday 8 for section two students.

You can choose to make a presentation on any of the following articles:

1. John Berger (Ways of Seeing chapter 1)
2. Claire Kramsch (The relationship of language and culture)
3. Culture and civilization (links to websites on this blog)
4. Critical thinking (links to websites on this blog)

The presentations will last 5 minutes, allowing for about 5 more minutes for questions and short discussions.

The main idea of these presentations is that you give your account and viewpoint of the articles. You are not expected to tell us what the articles say in detail. It is assumed that everybody has read them already. What is expected from you, is a presentation of your understanding of the article/s and how you relate it/them to your future as an English teacher.

The marking criteria is to be found in the following link

http://www.ncsu.edu/midlink/rub.pres.html

I´m really looking forward to your presentations!!
Claudia

Dear students,
Today´s class is going to be devoted to "critical thinking".

As it was explained in the previous class, you are expected to have read the article whose link was provided in the latest post. Also, we are going to discuss the following article

http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/JTE/v7n1/JTEV7N1.pdf#page=23

together with another article that will be given to you in class.

We will work on definitions of critical thinking and how those can be applied to cultural studies.
See you,
Claudia

Dear all,
In the following link you will find an article about critical thinking. Section 1 students are expected to read if for Friday 29. Section 2 students will have to read it for Monday, September 1st.

http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/cogsys/critthnk.html

Think of the following:
How can critical thinking be fostered among English language learners at school and university level?
How would you, as a future English teacher, foster critical thinking among your students?
How do you think culture and critical thinking are linked?
Claudia

Dear all,
I´m happy to see that many of you have managed to create their blogs. Those of you who haven´t done so yet will have to create one the latest during next class as you will be asked to write a summary of your understanding of civilization and culture.

Section one students are expected to write their summaries the latest before tomorrow´s class, i.e. 12.00. Also, you will find the photocopy of the article about culture at the photocopying centre in Agustinas. Section two students will first discuss the article by Berger. After that, a discussion of the definitions of civilization and culture will follow.

Questions to have in mind:
What definitions of civilization have you found?
What´s the relationship between culture and language?.
What´s the relationship between language and social identity? and culture?
Claudia

Dear all,
So far only 12 people have created their blog and have sent the link to me. Deadline to do so is before next class. You will be asked to write a short commentary as a follow up activity, therefore your blog is essential.

Remember that you are expected to have read the article by Berger and the definitions of culture and civilization provided in the links. A series of follow up actitivies will be done which are based on the assumption that you have read them all.
Claudia

Dear students,
For the sessions about culture and civilization, please read the articles provided in the link below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilization. In this article, click on the word "culture" which will take you to another website.

Think of the definitions of culture you came up with last class and compare them with those provided in the articles. What´s the relationship between culture and civilization?

We will do a series of activities based on the articles, definitions and concepts developed, so it is your responsibility to come to class well prepared to participate.
See you then,
Claudia

First class

Dear students,

Welcome to the course! This semester, we will study the main cultural tenents of the British and American culture. The aim of the course is to foster your critical thinking and an understanding of the importance of cultural diversity for a more egalitarian educational system. As a future English teacher, you will need to understand how the British and American civilizations have emerged and consolidated. Also, the relationship between culture, civilization, language and power will be discussed.

For the first class, please get a photocopy of the introduction to the book Ways of Seeing by John Berger. We will discuss it in the first class along with the course programme. Think of how your own beliefs influence the way you see and approach new things. How have history and works of art been presented to us? By whom?

Also, you will be asked to create your own blog as a way to keep a log of what you do in this course. This will be done together in the first class so don't worry. Some of you may have created a blog for other courses already, or for personal reasons. Whatever is the case, this is going to be a shared blog so that we learn from one another. Therefore your blog will be linked to mine so that everybody in the class has access to everybody's blog. I hope you find this collaborative way of learning useful.
See you soon,
Claudia