syllabus (Fall, 2004)

Sophomore English
DOMC, SOCE, FJU
Fall 2004
Monday 20:25-22:10
Albert Tang
csalbert@mails.fju.edu.tw


Albert Tang: a Quick Sketch
English major (Latin, Deutsch, Francais) (Theatre, Opera, Arts)
Postgraduate in media studies (critical theory, Cultural Studies, visual media)
Doctoral studies in complit (Taiwan lit; Chinese cinema, film theory, visual arts, literature and communication)

Albert Tang: honour as faculty
1996 Fu Jen Academic Award (Tele-cinematic “China”: a Post-nation look)
2000 Fr. Chang Se-heng Academic Award (Chinese cinema and cultural movements)
2003 Fr. Chang Se-heng Academic Award (Cultural Studies: theory, history, practice)

Albert Tang: work experience
Translator; tutor;
Senior specialist, GHFF committee (1990, 1996)Secretary-general, CSA (1998-2000)
Lecturer, DOMC, SOCE, FJU (1993-)
Research fellows of several media projects commissioned by GIO, BF, NSC, Eastern Corporation

Traveling
Europe: Netherlands (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Hague), Belgium(Brussel, Levine), Luxemburg, UK(London, Oxford), France(Paris, Lyon), Germany(Hamburg, Berlin, Kohn, Stutggart, Munich), Italy(Rome, Florence), Vatican, Austria(Vienna, Salsburg), Greece(Athens), Jordan, Bahrain, Thailand(Bangkok), China(Beijing, Shanghai, Kuanchou, Hongkong, Kuming) Kuam, Singapore, Japan(Fukuoka), Indonesia, Singapore, USA (LA, NY, Austin, Denver), Canada(Toronto, Ontario, Montreal)


Sophomore English
A. Goal
1.This course, centered around the idea “learning from doing”, is designed to help students combine their professional knowledge (in this case, media and communication) with English comprehension (in particular reading, writing, listening, speaking and translating) so as to improve and arouse their interests in using English in social contexts.

2. Students will be provided with chances to familiarize themselves with strategic ways of improving their English ability. We won’t stress too much on grammatical training. Instead, reasonable consideration on the social, cultural, historical dimensions of using English will be practiced through documentary appreciation, field trips, and other methods, to name but a few.

3. This course is aimed to construct a unique space that is more performance-oriented and problem-based. Students are asked to show their passion and perseverance in the everyday practices of using English under various circumstances. B. Description & requirement First Semester:

4. In order to learn “digital publication”, each student will construct his/her own self-introductory website which include information like (1) autobiographic profile (e.g. resume, career vitae; your mother tongue, your idol, your philosophy of life…etc.); (2) educational background, business interest, academic performance, expertise; (3) traveling experience (e.g. pictures and footnotes to explain the places you’ve visited); (4) career planning (a HR-professional training which helps you plan for the future and get ready for it when the time comes); (5) feedback and commentary essays (on distributed handouts, visual aides); (6) works demonstrated (long essays on news clipping at least).

The websites can also be bilingual. First draft (plus construction on-line) is due before Mid-term and will be finalized no later than the end of 2004.No website, no grade.

5.Students will practice news clippings (15 items at least for the semester). Topics chosen at students’ will range from political, economic, cultural issues to social affairs, diplomatic business, artistic activities, and academic developments. In each item, a short review is required (in English, usually no less than 200 words) to show the critic’s (i.e. student’s) perspectives and observations. A longer essay (about the news clipping) will be included into the website.

6. Once upon a Time in China: a Guide to Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Mainland China Cinema (circa 130 pages) is the required reading material. Students are intended to learning English in a more culturally-historically-reflexive fashion. An optional exam on the book is possible upon new development.
They will become more self-confident, articulate, and willing to share (with their counterparts in other countries) because they’ve already know quite a lot about the filmic/ cinematic/ entertainment circles. In short, students will have less problems to come across the barriers in communicating with foreigners about “Chinese” cultures, either traditional or modern. Special attention is given to films like “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon”, “A City of Sadness”, “A One and a Two”, “Hero”… in the New Waves generations (almost simultaneously in Taiwan, HK, and mainland China around early 1980s).A report (about 1000 words) should be demonstrated in the website.

7. Quite a few visual aides will be arranged in classes in both semesters. For example, Crazy English (dir. Zhang Yuan), The Beauty of Taiwanese Arts (produced by CCC), History of Taiwanese Cinema (PTS), Yin and Yang: Gender in Chinese Cinema (dir. Stanley Kwan) Second Semester (subject to change)

8. They will from different groups which practice scripting , shooting, and drama presentation on stage. Scripts and behind-the-screen material should be posted on-line.

9. A special anthology (and/or) DM devoted to the plays. The contents includes sysposes, casting info, venu, presenters,…etc. should come out before the presentation (ideally during the Da-chuan Week)

10. field trips to 228 Memorial Museum, film Archives, or other historical sites. Photos and captions are needed to explain the cultural formation of Taiwanese communities.


C. Useful tips
11. In this course, students have the right to determine their own topics for the assignment to better their communication skills in real situation. Topics, ranging from film culture, musical, popular celebrity, animation, on-line games, theatrical presentation, public relation, festival events, to news casting, are all welcome. Students, however, should be reminded that “always combine your own interests with English.)

12. English practice opportunities, as MSN with, or Email to the lecturer in English, are highly recommended and encouraged. (extra bonus)

13. No mid-term, no final terms. No non-excused absences for more than 6 hours.

14. Punctuation will be strictly regulated. Spelling should be strongly monitored.

15. Practice makes perfect. Well-preparation is a must to survive this course.

D. Evaluation Criteria (for 1st semester)
1. website construction (content compiled, organized and demonstrated) 40%
2. news clipping 40%
3. reading and class performance 20%.