Course Number:

Rdg 51

Course Name:

Analytical Reading

Instructor:

Gary Bergstrom

Email Address:

gbergstrom@collegeofthedesert.edu

Class Password:

Request Username & Password
Note: Usernames and passwords are generally not available until one week before the start of the semester.

Class Website:

http://desertonline.net/classes/rdg51/gbergstrom/
Note: Classes are generally not available for login until the first day of the semester.

Course Description:

This course will provide practice in analytical reading skills, and will build college level vocabulary. Students read college-level selections from different sources. Strong independent study skills are required.

Prerequisite(s):

Rdg 50 - Basic Reading (or equivalent)

Textbooks & Other Required Materials:

Langan, John. Ten Steps to Improving College Reading Skills. 5th edition.

Lewis, Norman. Word Power Made Easy

Lewis Handout packet - available at the bookstore

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Other:

Content of this course includes improving reading skills such as identifying stated or implied main ideas as well as supporting details, recognizing relationships between ideas, understanding fact versus opinion, identifying inferences, purpose and tone, and understanding the basics of argument. The lessons are short and well-explained. The readings are very interesting. The course also focuses strongly on building vocabulary.

The course will cover one chapter of the Langan text per week for the first ten weeks. The course will also cover approximately 20 pages from the Lewis test per week for the whole semester. There will be 2-3 tests per week. Tests will be from 10 to 50 questions in length. Tests are multiple choice or fill in the blank. Students will have plenty of opportunities to practice and ask questions before they take the tests. Students may also participate in a "Forum" where they can communicate in writing with other students and/or the instructor about questions they may have. After the first ten weeks the remainder of the Langan text will involve additional readings and study to further refine students' skills. Both texts are set up to facilitate independent study.

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