EALC/CWL 230 SECTION PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES

Xiaoyan Ren
ADF (10-10:50am), ADG (11-11:50am), ADH (12-12:50am)

WHAT TO EXPECT
Your participation in the discussion sections will translate into 30% of your final grade.
Here is what you can expect in the discussion section:

I. Student presentation (15-20 minutes for each student, 0-3 students each week)
Please sign up for presentation by clicking on the following links. The link will be
activated on Sept 1 (Friday) in class. Please peruse the syllabus and make a list of your
preferences beforehand.
ADF:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12X3TejLcDf6RAeq62hwvYbI5HY9-
jVKDdmQ3fc25604/edit

ADG:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eh5JKJknP9JX1_xtsjXyrht8ZG7Z4UrftK10NSYZ
UGE/edit

ADH:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R1zELV30IOyV-yYhON8GGRU-
N67ivigVvHW2R6JeWfE/edit

II. TA-led group activities and discussion questions

HOW TO STAY PREPARED

Make sure that you have finished all the assigned readings, fully prepared and ready to share
your thoughts when coming to class. You may take notes while doing the readings and write
down your thoughts, so that your sharing in class will be more organized and concise. The
“readings” include but are not limited to journal articles, films, TV dramas, and music videos
listed in the syllabus.

Typically, an individual/group presentation is expected to:

a) Summarize key arguments made in the assigned readings and/or lectures;
b) Cherrypick and analyze key details from the readings and/or lectures: What makes such
details particularly noteworthy? How do they aid your understanding of the topic?
c) Draw text-to-world/text-to-self connections: What draws you to this reading/topic? How
does this particular piece you’re presenting on help you reflect on a potential essay topic,
an aspect of popular culture, or a dimension of social life in general? How does it help
challenge preconceived ideas and stereotypes?
For sample questions, see Week 1’s discussion slides (8/25) and consult with your TA.

As listeners, be sure to provide constructive, appropriate comments/feedback/responses

throughout.

GRADING RUBRIC
Attendance (10%)
Attendance will be taken starting from Week 2. You will have two “free” absences (no strings
attached) throughout the semester without any penalty. There is no need to let your TA know for
the two free absences. Any more absence will require legitimate excuses and valid
documentations to be supplied to your TA. Otherwise one point will be deducted from your final
grade for each unexcused absence.

Presentation (10%)
Key criteria:
a) punctuality (sending discussion slides to your TA via email by Thursday 10AM);
b) cooperation and coordination among group presenters;
c) breadth and depth of your discussion questions, topic, and analysis, grounded in assigned
readings;
d) interaction with your audience.

Discussion Participation/Contribution (10%)

Key criteria: attentive listening; sharing of your thoughts; demonstration of your familiarity with
class readings and lectures through active participation.