Language and Identity
Advanced English
Fall 1999
Tokyo International University of America
J. E. Seibert

Contact the instructor

Schedule

Class meetings and location

Course description

Research project ideas

Course requirements and grading

Course objectives

Course-related links

Contact the instructor: J. E. Seibert, 373-3302

Office hours are by appointment or Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays after 1:30.

Cultural note: Please ask for help. It is your responsibility to seek assistance: talk to me, e-mail me, call me or leave a note. I am happy to help you with any aspect of this class at any time.

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Class meetings and location

  • Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from September 1 through December 10, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in Kaneko Hall, room 118.
  • Attendance at all classes is required. Don't be late!
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Course description

Students in this class will explore the relationship between language,

personal identity and society. Special attention will be paid to the role

of language in prejudice, in power, and in politics. Students will examine

the language patterns of some famous Americans, including Martin Luther

King. Learning activities include discussions, interviews, journals, and

presentations. Speaking skills (accuracy and fluency) and listening

comprehension will be emphasized.

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Course objectives

  • Content Objectives
    • Understand the link between language and identity in intra-national and international contexts (in Japan, in the U. S. and around the world)
    • Become a more motivated and more skilled language learner by understanding the relationship between language, psychology and society
  • Language Objectives
    • Improve listening comprehension skills (often the most difficult of language skills)
    • Improve written and oral fluency and accuracy
  • Cultural Objectives
    • Improve your ability to communicate across cultures through an understanding of the link between language and identity
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Course requirements and grading

 

Requirements

  • Attend and actively participate in all classes
  • Use English in class
    • Complete all in-class and homework assignments
  • Submit a journal entry every other Monday, beginning Monday, September 20.
    • Your journal will be confidential.
      • Write at least 200 meaningful words each week on the assigned topic.
      • It is a good idea to write a little each night before you go to bed.
    • In a separate section of the notebook, keep a list of vocabulary words you learned in this class (in class or while doing your homework, reading and so forth). If possible, include the phrase or sentence in which you read or heard them. Include your own definition or translation.
  • Complete a term project and presentation on any topic related to the class
  • Submission of written work that
    • is not copied from another student or a source,
    • is neat and is typed or legibly written in blue or black ink, and

    has been checked for spelling and grammar

 

Grading
  • If you do not understand the system or want to know your grade at any point, ask!
  • A point system will be used. Each assignment carries a certain number of points. Your final grade will depend on:
    • the points you have earned,
    • attainment and/or completion of the general course objectives and requirements, and
    • your active participation and effort (20% of your grade)
    • the percent of points you earned of the total points possible
      • A+ 97-100%; A 93-96%; A- 90-92%; B+ 87-89%; B 83-86%; B- 80-82%; C+ 77-79%; C 73-76%; C- 70-72%; F 69% and below
  • Each journal entry receives 15 points. Points are given based on effort, depth of thought, and application of what you have learned in class.
  • Each class assignment and homework assignment carries a different number of points.
  • The project, the mid-term and the final will each be worth approximately 50 points. 
  • Cheating (copying another student's work or from a book or Internet site) may result in your failing this English class

Project ideas/examples and information

  • Language prejudice and identity in the United States
  • Language prejudice and identity in Japan or another country
  • Native American languages and cultural identity
  • U. S. dialects and identity
  • Black English and identity in the U. S.
  • Regional identity and language in the United States
  • Regional identity and language in your home country
  • Language and identity in a movie, story, poem, etc.
  • Identity and differences in male and female speech in Japanese, or Spanish , or English
  • Identity and language use among TIUA students (or W. U. students)
  • Identity and differences in language use among generations in ________
  • Identity and "foreign" accents
  • Or ... anything related to the class . . .

  • 1. By November 24, prepare a 10-minute oral presentation about your chosen subject. Illustrate your points with a PowerPoint presentation, a poster, or another professional-looking visual aid or set of visual aids. I will help you find resources!
  • 2. After I give you some individual help on your presentation, you will do the presentation for the class or for the public. This will happen during the last two weeks of the term.
  • 3. You will receive two grades: one for your "draft" due 11/24 and one for your final. You will be evaluated on:
    • Content (completeness, accuracy, interest level)
    • English (fluency and accuracy)
    • Presentation style: confidence, preparation, poise, audience involvement
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Course-related links

English Dialect Links

Japan: Ethnologue

Linguistic Olympics

Oral Language Shapes Young Learners' Identity

The Ainu

A sample linguistic survey

Linguistic Atlas of the U. S.

A virtual classroom with excellent links

 

 

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 ORTESOL PRESENTATION