readings in foreign journals and press zou qiming telephone: 85513209 e-mail: zouqm2003@yahoo.com.cn

Readings inForeign Journals and Press

Zou Qiming

Telephone: 85513209

E-mail: zouqm2003@yahoo.com.cn

I Objectives

What do we intend to achieve? To help students learn the latest developments in

international politics, economy, culture, science, environment, education, etc.

To improve the students’ analytical and critical competence by means of discussion and debate.

To familiarize students with the style and genre of journalism.

To improve the students’ language proficiency in general and journalistic reading in particular.

II Arrangement of the course

Week 1: Introduction: Objective, contents, methodology and evaluation

Week 2 to 4: International relations and politics Week 5 to 7: International economics, trade and finance Week 8 to 9: Science and technology Week 10 to 11: Society and culture Week 12 to 13: Environmental and ecological protection Week 14 to 15: Education Week 16 to 17: Health and Entertainment Week 18: Revision Week 19 or 20: Final examination

III What to learn?

1. Language analysis

2. Content analysis

1. Language analysis—structure(1) Headlines: the title, containing the essential

information of the article.

(2) Lead : providing the background or main idea of the article.

(3) Events: providing key information.

(4) Context: providing information that serves as the background of the events.

(5) Comments: showing the author’s attitude to or opinion of the events, divided into direct and indirect comments.

1. Language analysis—structureThe structural tree of journal discourse

Headline

Lead

Subtitle 1 Subtitle 2 Subtitle 3

Event 1 Event 2 Event 3 Event 4 Event 5 Event 6

Context Context Context

Comment Comment Comment

Final Comment

1. Language analysis—linguistic features(1) News jargons: typical expressions used by journali

sts.

(2) Abbreviation: often used to save space.

(3) Colloquial and idiomatic expressions: used to build up a friendly relationship with the reader.

(4) Rhetorical devices: used to made description more interesting, humorous or sarcastic.

(5) Sentence structure: short, made up of phrases.

(6) Paragraph structure: short, only one sentence sometimes.

2. Content analysis—general ideas(1) Collecting general information: the first step

of journal reading.

(2) What to collect: events and comments.

(3) How to collect: find out topic sentences or main ideas of the paragraphs about the events and comments, then write a summary or a list of the main ideas of the events and comments.

2. Content analysis—logical analysis(1) The most critical part of news reading.

(2) Step 1: find out the arguments and/or opinions in the paragraphs of comments.

(3) Step 2: examine the reasoning process and supporting details—facts vs. opinions, presentation and choice of the facts.

(4) Step 3: check whether the arguments are well supported by the reasoning process or details.

(5) Step 4: find out the logical fallacies.

2. Content analysis—logical analysisTypes of logical fallacies: Over-generalization: generalization not based on sound facts. Over-simplification: neglecting other possible reasons. False causation: mistaken causes. False analogy: inadequate comparison. False disjunction: undesirable alternatives. Inadequate sampling: sample size too small. Non-sequitur: not logically related. Appealing to authorities: using authorities to support weak arguments. Arguing off the point: not dealing with the issue at all. Arguing in a circle: using un-proven assumption to draw conclusion. Arguing ad hominem: appealing to the interest or bias of one side. Arguing ad populum: appealing to the emotion of the populace. Arguing ad individium: attacking opponent’s personality, look, etc.

2. Content analysis—attitude and purpose(1) The principle of impartiality in journalism: not

showing one’s attitude or purpose directly in news report.

(2) Impossibilities of impartiality: one’s value system is inevitably shown in what he writes.

(3) How to figure out the author’s attitude and purpose: event selection and presentation, types and sources of comments, final comments or conclusions.

IV Teaching methodology

1. Pre-reading: read the article before coming to the class, find out the main ideas, prepare questions to ask in class.

2. Lecturing: background information.3. Questions & answers: ask and answer

questions mutually.4. Group work: discuss given questions in

groups.5. Presentation: present discussion results.

V. Evaluation

1. Presentation:20%, collective scores.

2. Critical essays and news report (2): 20%

3. Final examination: 60% of the total scores; made up of two parts: 40% from articles learned, 60% from 2 new articles.

VI Learning aids

Our website:http://vclass.gdufs.edu.cn (Contact the Computer centr

e for registration of the whole class. Individual registration is OK with your student ID.)

List of internet websites:http://abc.go.com/?ad=truehttp://www.cbs.com/latenight/lateshow/http://www.cnn.com/http://www.nbc.com/Googling!