English and Academic Preparation - Grad Track (Coursera)

Offered by Rice University,
English and Academic Preparation - Grad Track (Coursera)

The English and Academic Preparation – Grad Track course is for students with a (minimum) advanced level of English. It is designed to help international students strengthen their English while developing academic skills necessary for success in graduate studies at an American university. Ideally, prospective students have completed or are near completion of a bachelor’s degree in their country and would like to come to the United States to study for a master’s or doctorate degree.

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The total length of time required to complete the course is approximately 4 weeks. Students should expect to spend about 3-4 hours per week working with the materials and assignments.
The course is made up of 4 modules:
• Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking
• Writer’s Workshop
• Reading and Note-taking
• Capstone Project
Each module consists of video lessons, opportunities for practicing English and academic skills, interactive discussion boards with classmates, and graded activities. All courses are asynchronous, which means that the lessons and their activities can be completed at any time of day or night, provided that all course assignments are completed by the final day of class.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
Listening, Speaking and Critical Thinking
In this module, we will learn some skills necessary for listening to and speaking about academic topics at the graduate level.

WEEK 2
Writer's Workshop
In this module, we will learn some skills necessary for writing about academic topics at the graduate level.

WEEK 3
Reading and Note-taking
In this module, we will learn some skills necessary for reading and note-taking about academic topics at the graduate level.

WEEK 4
Capstone
The Grad-Track capstone project is the final module of the English and Academic Preparation Program. In this module, you will not learn new information as you did in the previous modules, but rather apply the knowledge and skills you learned from the other modules in this academic certificate in order to complete a series of tasks. The word "capstone" was historically used to signify the completion of a building. The capstone was considered the most important and last stone placed on a newly constructed building. In keeping with this tradition, your successful capstone project signifies you have completed the certificate program and earned a crowning achievement.

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