Reading - Einzelansicht

This course is designed to prepare you for typical reading tasks set in seminars. Different reading tasks (such as analysing a poem for a seminar discussion, reading a novel for private entertainment, or preparing a report on a journal article) require different reading techniques, hence we will practise appropriate techniques for the extensive, selective and detailed reading of texts. Relevant techniques include dealing with unknown vocabulary, search-reading, skimming, close reading, understanding logical organization and evaluating arguments.

Please note: This is a Sprachpraxis module and NOT identical with the English / American Literary Studies module "Literary History: Reading Course". 

Workload: This is an intensive course. Please allow for sufficient time for private reading and study when making up your schedules. 5 Credits theoretically translate into an average weekly workload of 8 hours in addition to the time spent in class. More realistically, you should expect to spend no less than 5 to 6 hours per week on private study.

Students who have so far read only the barest minimum in English (e.g. Animal Farm / Educating Rita / two Hemingway short stories in Grade 11, and Macbeth in Grade 12) will possibly find it difficult to acquire seminar-level reading skills by the end of the semester. They are strongly advised to read one or two novels of their own choice before the beginning of the semester in order to give a boost to their reading comprehension.