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AE O64-001: Learning English Through Pop Music

Spring 2017 Syllabus

Instructor: Lori Rottenberg

Instructor Email: lrottenb@gmu.edu

Course Website: ; grades on Blackboard (mymason.gmu.edu)

Meeting Days: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:30-11:20 AM

Classroom: Global Center 1316 A

Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 11:30-12:20, Global Center Room 1312, or by appointment

1 Course Description

The goal of this course is for high-intermediate and advanced students to develop their English proficiency by listening to and studying the lyrics of American popular music songs.

2 Course Objectives

This course will work on a number of different skills to help you improve your English.

To improve English listening skills:

• Can understand the lyrics to a typical pop music song and thereby better understand informal spoken English

• Can better understand non-standard as well as standard American dialects

• Can recognize and understand figurative language in lyrics, including similes and metaphors

• Can build knowledge of common idioms used in songs

To improve pronunciation of English:

• Can say the lyrics of English songs in rhythm to music

• Can learn word elisions and common pronunciation patterns in English

• Can have a better understanding of English rhyming schemes

To improve English reading and writing skills:

• Can understand figurative language in English

• Can improve vocabulary as seen in song lyrics

• Can recognize simple rhymes in English

• Can recognize improper grammatical usage when it occurs in song lyrics

To improve knowledge of American culture:

• Can recognize American pop music forms, including Top-40 style pop, country, and R&B/rap.

• Can recognize and have familiarity with major figures in contemporary American pop music.

• Can discuss differences between song topics in the USA and their country of origin.

Course Expectations

Your active, daily participation in class is essential to your success in this course. Please note the following class policies and expectations:

• Attendance: I expect you to attend class every day and to be on time. GMU students are expected to attend at least 90% of all their classes. If you have 5 or more absences (including ½ absences), you will receive an NG for this course. This policy is part of your F1 visa requirements, so I will strictly enforce these rules! If you miss a class, you will miss important information that is likely to appear on a test. If you are more than 10 minutes late, leave more than 10 minutes early, or leave class in the middle for more than 10 minutes, for any reason, it is considered a ½ absence. Absences are also counted the last week of classes!

• Missed Work: You are responsible for turning all assignments in on time, even if you are late, sick, or absent. If you let me know in advance that you have to be absent, I may allow you to make up tests or other assignments IF they can be done before the next class meeting, but, in general, I do not allow make-up exams, homework, or presentations.

• Materials: Please bring the following materials to class every day: 1) pens or pencils; and 2) 8.5” x 11” lined notebook paper. You will also need to print your homework each week.

• Technology Use: Cell phones must be turned OFF during class. It is considered very rude to text or check Facebook, Instagram, email, or other social media in class. I will collect phones from anyone using their phone inappropriately during class.

• English Only: You are here to improve your communication skills in English. Make the most of this opportunity and challenge yourself by speaking only in English in this class.

Course Textbook and Materials

Our materials will be pop music songs and videos brought into class by me. I encourage you to add songs that we do in class to your iPod so you can listen and practice what we do in class.

4 Course Requirements

We will improve your English abilities through a number of activities:

• Daily In-Class Exercises: Each day, we will listen to, sing with, and analyze the lyrics of a pop music song.

• Weekly Homework: Each Tuesday, you must have completed the analysis of a song on your own and bring the printed homework sheet to class. On other days, I may ask you to analyze a song at home to discuss in class.

• Quizzes: We will have quizzes every third week that will cover the new vocabulary learned during the prior classes and ask you to show your knowledge of certain song features as well.

• Presentations: During the middle two weeks of class and the last two weeks of class, each of you will present a song for the rest of the class to learn about.

5

6 Grading Criteria

In-Class Exercises: 20%

Weekly Homework: 20%

Quizzes: 20%

Presentations: 20%

Final Exam: 20%

7 AE Final Grade System

Remember that elective grades count towards your total semester grade average!

|Final Letter Grade |Final Percent Grade |Quality Points |Type |

|A+ |97-100 |4.00 |Passing |

|A  |93-96 |4.00 |Passing |

|A- |90-92 |3.67 |Passing |

|B+ |87-89 |3.33 |Passing |

|B  |83-86 |3.00 |Passing |

|B- |80-82 |2.67 |Passing |

|C+ |77-79 |2.33 |Failing |

|C  |73-76 |2.00 |Failing |

|C- |70-72 |1.67 |Failing |

|D |60-69 |1.00 |Failing |

|F  |0-59 |0.00 |Failing |

|NG (Based on attendance only) |N/A |0.00 |Failing |

In order to pass this class, you must earn at least 80%, and follow attendance policies!

8 Important Dates

|Professional/Student Enrichment Day (No classes) |Friday, February 17, 2017 |

|Midterm Conference Period |No midterm conferences are held for elective classes, so be sure to|

|* Core/OCS Midterm Progress Reports distributed |follow your grades closely and speak to me if you are having |

|* Core/OCS/Elective Midterm Grades on Patriot Web |difficulties in the course! |

|* Core/OCS Midterm Conferences for failing (C+, C, C-, D, F, NG) | |

|and borderline failing students (B-) | |

|Spring Break (No classes) |March 13-19, 2017 |

|Core/OCS Common Final Exam Period |May 4-9, 2017 |

| |Thursday, 5/4 Core Writing Final Exam |

| |Friday, 5/5 OCS Speaking Final Exam |

| |Monday, 5/8 OCS Reading Final Exam |

| |Tuesday, 5/9 Core Listening Final Exam |

|Last Day of AE Classes |Tuesday, May 9, 2017 |

|AE Final Grade Report Pickup |Monday, May 15, 2017 |

|(Available through student request at Lobby Welcome Desk) | |

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11 Online Class Resources

• I use our class website, , to post important information, including links to songs we analyze in class and homework assignments.

• I will use Blackboard (mymason.gmu.edu) to provide you with up-to-date information about grades, so you can log in to check your grades in my class at any time.

12 Honor Code and University Policies

“Student members of the George Mason University community pledge not to cheat, plagiarize, steal, or lie in matters related to academic work.” Cheating includes copying or allowing someone else to copy homework or test answers. For example, while studying with other students is fine, you are not allowed to collaborate on written work—all written work should be original and in your own words! For more information, see the Office for Academic Integrity ().

The University Catalog is the main resource for university policies affecting student, faculty, and staff conduct in university academic affairs. However, faculty have the authority to set additional policies for their class. related to academic work.

13 Academic Advising

If you have questions about your academic standing, progression, study plan, or university application process, make an appointment with an AE Academic Advisor on WC Online (). If you want to know how many absences you have, if you have a question about your classwork, or if you want to know your grades in this class, ask your instructor.

14 Tutoring

If you would like to receive additional practice and help with your English language skills, you may make an appointment with a tutor in the Learning Resource Center (Room 1305) during normal business hours using the WC Online scheduling system ().

15 Disability Accommodations

If you have a documented learning disability or other condition that may affect your academic performance, you should: 1) make sure this documentation is on file with Office of Disability Services (SUB I, Room 4205; 703-993-2474; ) to determine the accommodations you need; and 2) talk with me to discuss your accommodation needs.

Learning English Through Pop Music Schedule (064-001), Spring 2017, v. 1

| |Monday |Tuesday |Wednesday |Thursday |Friday |

| |NO CLASS |10:30-11:20 |NO CLASS |10:30-11:20 |NO CLASS |

Week 1

Pop: American Individualism |1/23

|1/24

Welcome |1/25

|1/26

|1/27

| |Week 2

Pop: American Individualism |1/30

|1/31

Homework 1 Due |2/1

|2/2

|2/3

| |Week 3

Pop: American Individualism |2/6

|2/7

Homework 2 Due |2/8

|2/9

Quiz 1 |2/10

| |Week 4

Pop: Metaphors of Love |2/13

|2/14

Homework 3 Due |2/15

|2/16

|2/17

NO CLASSES:

Teachers’ Prof. Development | |Week 5

Pop: Metaphors of Love |2/20

|2/21

Homework 4 Due |2/22

|2/23

|2/24

| |Week 6

Pop: Metaphors of Love |2/27

|2/28

Homework 5 Due |3/1

|3/2

Quiz 2 |3/3

| |Week 7

Presentations |3/6

|3/7

|3/8

|3/9

|3/10

| |Week 8

|3/13

SPRING |3/14

BREAK: |3/15

NO |3/16

CLASSES!! |3/17

| |Week 9

Presentations |3/20

|3/21

|3/22

|3/23

|3/24

| |Week 10

Country |3/27

|3/28

Homework 6 Due |3/29

|3/30

|3/31

| |Week 11

Country |4/3

|4/4

Homework 7 Due |4/5

|4/6

Quiz 3 |4/7

| |Week 12

R&B/Rap |4/10

|4/11

Homework 8 Due |4/12

|4/13

|4/14

| |Week 13

R&B/Rap |4/17

|4/18

Homework 9 Due |4/19

|4/20

Quiz 4 |4/21

| |Week 14

Presentations |4/24 |4/25

|4/26

|4/27

|4/28

| |Week 15

Presentations |5/1

|5/2

|5/3

|5/4

|5/5

| |Week 16

|5/8

|5/9

Last Day of Class

Final Exam |5/3

ENJOY |5/4

YOUR |5/5

VACATION! | |

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