Introduction to Language Practice: Topic - US Presidential Election - Graydon (Wed 16-18)

US Presidential Election, 2008

1. Electoral System and Polls

2. Election Blog

3. Helpful Links

4. Current Issues

4.1. Updated Electoral Map 4.2 US Foreign Policy 4.3 Health Care in the US 4.4 Issues Concerning Race in the US 4.5 US Defense Policy 4.6 Economic Policy 4.7 Science Policy 4.8 Environmental Policy

5. Media Coverage]]

5.1 US Newspapers 5.2 Newspaper Editorials 5.3 News Radio Stations 5.4 TV Stations 5.5 Podcasts 5.6 Ads 5.7 Fact Checking

6. Candidates for President and Vice-President

6.1 The Democratic Party 6.1.2 Democratic Party Candidates 6.1.2.3 Senator Barack Obama 6.1.2.4 Senator Joe Biden 6.2 The GOP 6.2.1 Republican Party Candidates 6.2.1.1 Senator John McCain 6.2.1.2 Alaska Governor Sarah Palin 6.3 Speeches 6.4 Debates and Parodies

7 Miscellaneous

7.1 Additional Political Videos 7.2 Political Satire 7.3 Movies about Elections

Deidre Graydon
A6 2-222
[deidre.graydon@uni-oldenburg.de]
Office hours: Tues. 15-16 (except Oct. 28th)

Syllabus: Introduction to Integrated Language Practice (Wed. group)

15.10.08 Intro; formal requirements regarding language practice in BA program; general tips on improving proficiency in
formal or academic English: use of newspapers, internet, podcasts, studying abroad

22.10.08 Discussion of different informal vs. formal registers and styles
This week’s assignment: compare the speaking styles of Sarah Palin and Joe Biden in the vice-presidential
debate [Vice-presidential debate]

29.10.08 Dictionaries and grammars - grammar test in class

5.11.08 Working as a group; preparing a presentation; giving feedback

12.11.08 Mini-presentations on election results in individual states (in pairs – max. five minutes)

19.11.08 How to prepare a text for use in class (see “seminarwiki” for reading to be discussed)

26.11.08 Writing academic English (and avoiding informal English); keeping a journal as writing practice

3.12.08 Write essay in class on the election; be sure you have learned the election vocabulary (see “documents” on StudIP)

10.12.08 Listening comprehension: standard pronunciation, accents and dialects

17.12.08 Christmas festivities in the English-speaking world (not to be missed!!!)

7.1.08 counseling sessions (be sure to sign up on StudIP at the end of November!)

14.1.08 counseling sessions

21.1.08 counseling sessions

28.1.08 oral exams