Reading and Writing

Course title

S2213000

Reading and Writing

	tsuneyasu masa
	inada takako
	kuji miki
	horton hirose emiko

Course description

The aim of this course is to develop the students’ reading and writing skills. By reading passages related to architecture, students will enhance their ability to read both for gist and specific details without relying on translation into Japanese. Through the units, students will also learn about paragraph writing and should be able to write a five paragraph writing at the end of the semester. Students are expected to discuss the content of what they have read and/or written. Working on E-learning is given as a weekly assignment.

Purpose of class

To develop the students’ reading and writing skills.

Goals and objectives

	Goals and objectives	Course Outcomes
1.	To be able to read texts related to architecture accurately and smoothly
2.	To be able to understand and employ a range of basic vocabulary related to architecture
3.	To be able to discuss about what has been read/written
4.	To be able to write a 5-paragraph writing at the end of the semester

Language

English

Class schedule

	Class schedule	HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.)	Amount of Time Required
1.	Introduction to the course, Ice breaking	Check the syllabus, E-learning	200分
2.	Unit 1 Introduction Reading Section: "What is Architecture?" Pre-reading questions: 1. What do you think architecture is? 2. What do you think is important in architecture? Writing Section: The Organization of a Paragraph	Unit 1, Reading Assignment Sheet, E-learning, Reflection	200分
3.	Unit 2 Planning Reading Section: "Monja Street in Tsukishima" Pre-reading questions: 1. What changes have occurred in your local area since you were a young child? 2. What changes have occurred in Japan since you were a young child? Writing Section: Topic Sentence	Unit 2, Reading Assignment Sheet, E-learning, Reflection	200分
4.	Unit 3 Floor plan Reading Section: "Danchi: Changing Lifestyles" Pre-reading questions: 1. What do you know about danchi? 2. How has housing changed in Japan through the years? Writing Section: Supporting Sentences	Unit 3, Reading Assignment Sheet, E-learning, Reflection	200分
5.	Unit 4 Building Structure Reading Section: "Sagrada Familia: Structure and Detail" Pre-reading questions: 1. What is the most impressive piece of architecture you can think of? 2. Explain what makes it so impressive Writing Section: Cause and Effect Structures	Unit 4, Reading Assignment Sheet, E-learning, Reflection	200分
6.	Unit 5 Kitchens Reading Section: "The Development of Kitchens and Lifestyles" Pre-reading questions: 1. Do you enjoy cooking? Is it a social activity for you? 2. What are the kitchen appliances you couldn’t do without? Writing section: Giving Examples	Unit 5, Reading Assignment Sheet, E-learning, Reflection	200分
7.	Unit 6 Living Rooms Reading Section: "An Architect’s Own House" Pre-reading questions: 1. What do you think would be important if you were designing a home for yourself? 2. Do you prefer handmade goods or mass-produced goods? Explain your answer. Writing Section: Compare and Contrast Structures	Unit 6, Reading Assignment Sheet, E-learning, Reflection	200分
7.		Mid-semester writing
8.	Unit 7 Design Styles Reading Section: "Architecture and Comfort" Pre-reading questions: 1. What is a place that makes you feel very comfortable? 2. Explain what it is about that place that makes you feel very comfortable. Writing Section: Organization of a Persuasive essay, Brainstorming for Thesis Statement	Unit 7, Reading Assignment Sheet, E-learning, Reflection	200分
9.	Unit 8 Scales and Dimensions Reading Section: "Le Corbusier’s Module" Pre-reading questions: 1. What different scales of measurement are you familiar with e.g. imperial, metric? 2. What makes one measurement system better or worse than another? Writing Section: Creating the Outline of Your Essay	Unit 8, Reading Assignment Sheet, E-learning, Reflection	200分
10.	Unit 9 Colors & Materials Reading Section: "Colors: Culture and the International Visual Language" Pre-reading questions: 1. What are your favorite colors? Why? 2. Do different colors make you feel differently? Explain. Writing Section: Writing an Introduction Paragraph	Unit 9, Reading Assignment Sheet, E-learning, Reflection	200分
11.	Unit 10 Sustainable Design Reading Section: "Singapore: The Sustainable City" Pre-reading questions: 1. What does sustainability mean to you? 2. What steps can cities take to make a city sustainable? Writing Section: Writing Body Paragraphs	Unit 10, Reading Assignment Sheet, E-learning, Reflection	200分
12.	Unit 11 Natural Hazards Reading Section: "Seismic Design and Technology at NMWA" Pre-reading questions: 1. How can architects and engineers protect buildings from earthquakes? 2. Give examples of buildings that you know of that have been built to withstand earthquakes. Writing Section: Writing a Concluding Paragraph	Unit 11, Reading Assignment Sheet, E-learning, Reflection	200分
13.	Unit 12 Urban Design Reading Section: "Planned Cities" Pre-reading questions: 1. Think of cities you know. What makes a “good” city? 2. If you were planning a city, what would you prioritize? Writing Section: Title, Revising, and Proofreading Your Essay	Unit 12, Reading Assignment Sheet, E-learning, Reflection	200分
14.	Wrap-up	E-learning	200分
14.	Wrap-up	Final writing
15.	TOEIC IP Test - To be announced later
Total.	-	-	2800分

Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

	Participation (Reflection)	Homework (E-learning)	Reading Assignment Sheet	Mid-semester writing	Final writing	Total.
1.	20%	15%	25%	15%	25%	100%
2.						0%
3.						0%
4.						0%
5.						0%
Total.	20%	15%	25%	15%	25%	-

Evaluation method and criteria

＊＊＊The latest information TOEIC-IP test will be announced later＊＊＊
＊＊＊TOEIC-IP testに関して、現時点（2020年8月）では未定：決定次第、通知する＊＊＊
The final score will be calculated as follows: 90 % of the class score (100 full points) + 10% of TOEIC-IP test score. Students need to score 60% or more in order to pass the course. For the calculation of the TOEIC test score, a score of 700 is regarded as full points (100 points). A score of 700 and above will be counted as 100 points.

Class score
Participation (Reflection): 20%
Homework (E-learning): 15%
Reading Assignment Sheet: 25%
Mid-semester writing: 15 %
Final writing : 25%

Textbooks and reference materials

Basic English for Architecture: Reading & Writing (Nan'un-do)

Prerequisites

Please have a dictionary with you during this class.

Office hours and How to contact professors for questions