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1 .COURSE OBJECTIVES
This course aims to develop students’ critical reading skills so that they can evaluate the information instead of blindly accepting whatever they are reading. Throughout the course, the students are equipped with the critical reading and question-asking techniques which are essential for them to learn effectively at university level, especially in such courses as advanced academic writing, advanced speaking, presentation, etc. as well as in writing reports and graduation theses.
Besides, the course also helps learners achieve the high end of C1 for their reading competencies by encouraging them not only to enlarge their vocabulary but also to turn their passive vocabulary into active through reading extensively on a wide variety of topics and participating in critical reading activities. These activities include summarizing and synthesizing texts, comparing viewpoints held by different writers on the same issue, discussing and giving opinions on writers’ viewpoints, analyzing the evidence they give to support their positions, etc.
2. COURSE CONTENTS
No.
Content
Time Allocation
Contribution to CLOs
Hour(s) on the class
Exercise, Assignment
Guided self-study
Lecture
Practice, Seminar
1.
Chapter 1. The benefits of asking the right questions
1
2
1.5
5.5
1, 7, 8
2.
Chapter 2: What are the issue and the conclusion?
1
2
1.5
5.5
2, 3, 4
3.
Chapter3. What are the reasons?
1
2
1.5
5.5
2, 3, 4
4.
Revision 1
1
2
1.5
5.5
1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8
5.
Chapter 5: What are the value and descriptive assumptions?
1
2
1.5
5.5
2, 3, 4
6.
Chapter 6: Are there any fallacies in the reasoning?
1
2
1.5
5.5
2, 3, 4
7.
Revision 2
1
2
1.5
5.5
2, 3, 4
8.
Chapter 7: The worth of personal experience, case examples, testimonials, and statement of authority as evidence
1
2
1.5
5.5
2, 4, 5
9.
Chapter 8: How good is the evidence: personal observation and research studies?
1
2
1.5
5.5
2, 4, 5
10.
Chapter 9: Are there rival causes?
1
2
1.5
5.5
2, 6
11.
Revision 3
1
2
1.5
5.5
2, 4, 5 ,6
12.
Chapter 10: Are any Statistics Deceptive?
1
2
1.5
5.5
2,6
13.
Chapter 11: Which significant information is omitted?
1
2
1.5
5.5
2,6
14.
Chapter 12: What reasonable conclusions are possible?
1
2
1.5
5.5
2, 6, 7, 8
15.
Revision 4
1
2
1.5
5.5
2, 6, 7, 8
Total
15
30
22.5
82.5
3. COURSE ASSESSMENT
Marking scale: The 0-10 point scale
Type of Assessement
Form
Content
Criteria
CLO
Proportion
Formative
Attendance
Students are expected to attend every class, to arrive on time, and to participate in all class activities (especially in in-class discussions). Failing to attend more than three classes without a legitimate excuse results in disqualification for the final examination.
The number of attendances and participation in lesson
1,2
10 %
Quizes
One 10-question quiz is given at the beginning of each class to encourage students’ preparation.
The quiz covers the key points of the chapter(s) in question
Quick test, 10 minutes
Students are given 1 point for each of their correct answer. (Low order thinking skills)
2
15 %
In-class Performance
Group or individual work
Assesses students’ ability to apply the newly-taught skill in answering reading practice questions and to their demonstration of the new knowledge and skill in team discussions. Grades are given according to the number of their correct answers and whether they can fully understand and give a thorough analysis of the author’s reasonings in the long reading selections
3,4,5,6
15 %
Summative
Final test
The final test lasting 60 minutes consists of 3 parts. For the first two parts, students are given short reading passages to read and answer 6-8 short-answer questions. Students can earn a total of 6 points in these two parts (3 points each for the maximum). (Low order thinking skills)
The final part of the test requires the students to apply all the skills they have acquired throughout the course to evaluate the reasoning given in a long reading passage (4 points). (High order thinking skills)
Individual
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
60 %
Total:
100%
FINAL TEST GRADING (CRITICAL READING RUBRIC)
Criteria
Rating
Needs improvement
Rating
Satisfactory
Rating
Good
Rating
Excellent
Score
Points 0-2
Points 3-6
Points 7-8
Points 8-10
Skill Set A Reads with comprehension
Does not correctly identify main idea
Does not correctly identify key points
Partially identifies main idea
Partially identifies key points
Correctly identifies main idea
Correctly identifies key points Recognizes relationships between main idea/supporting
details
Correctly identifies main idea Distinguishes key points from minor details Recognizes relationships between main idea/supporting points Illustrates main idea with example or quote from reading
Skill Set B Thinks critically about the text/reading
Does not identify audience/ purpose for reading Does not determine validity of source Does not identify presence/absence of evidence
Partially identifies audience/ purpose for reading Partially determines validity of source Partially identifies presence/absence of evidence
Identifies audience/purpose for reading Determines validity of source Identifies presence/absence of evidence Formulates appropriate questions about the reading Identifies different perspectives
identifies audience/purpose for reading Determines validity of source Identifies presence/absence of evidence Formulates appropriate questions about the reading Identifies different perspectives and strengths/weaknesses of perspectives
Skill Set C Applies knowledge gained from reading
Does not connect reading to prior knowledge/experience Does not apply knowledge from reading to assignments or real life situations
Partially connects reading to prior knowledge/experience Partially/incorrectly applies knowledge from reading to assignments or real life situations
Connects reading to prior knowledge/experience Applies knowledge from reading to assignments or real life situations
Connects reading to prior knowledge/experience Applies knowledge from reading to assignments or real life situations Formulates new insights based on application of knowledge
Total
30