American University of Madaba (AUM)

Faculty of Languages and Communication

Department of English Language and Literature
Course Syllabus
Fall Semester 2017-2018

1. Course Specifics

Course Title Cultural Development (2)

Course Number 900210
Prerequisite(s) Cultural Development (1) (Course Number: 0900110)
Credit Hours 1
Lecture Days, Time & Location Section 2: Wednesday [2:30 – 3:30] BB – G05
Section 4: Thursday [8:30 – 9:30] SA – F13
Course Instructor Dr. Ahmad Sweity
Syllabus Approved by:
a. Department Chair Department Chair
b. Academic Committee

2. Academic Staff Specifics

Name Academic Rank Office Number Tel. Ext. Email Address

Ahmad Sweity Assistant Professor BA-G09 Ext. 5203 a.sweity@aum.edu.jo
Office Hours: (11:30 – 1) Monday, Wednesday (10 – 11:30) Tuesday, Thursday

3. Course Components

Course Description
Building on Cultural Development I, this course continues to examine the culture-development nexus in
Jordan and beyond, using primary research techniques and sociological theories. As a project-based
course, students work independently or in small groups, to develop a creative project that not only
communicates their insights and findings but also draws awareness on the topic. The course culminates
with students presenting their final projects for evaluation.

Course Objectives
 To raise AUM students’ personal interest and eagerness to tackle local social, political, economic
and cultural issues relevant to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and beyond.
 To challenge students to think critically and constructively about their society, avoid binary
opposition or problematic dualities in comparing cultures and annul any attempt to impose cultural
superiority in subjective positions.
 To deepen and broaden the students’ knowledge of the process of social ‘scientific’ research – from
identifying the topic, to gathering observations, presenting the results and developing practical
recommendations.
 To build a solid analytical framework for further inquiries as well as to strengthen the students’
sense of cultural awareness, belonging and identity.
 To give timely and continuous feedback to students on the quality of their projects’
conceptualization, design, execution and presentation in order to maximize and enrich the process
of experiential learning and course outcomes.
 To sharpen transferable communication and analytical skills that can be applied in different
classrooms within AUM and in an array of professional settings.

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Intended Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding:

 Learn about the cultural, historical, social, political, economic and legal contours of the issues we
consider this semester.
 Hone the students’ analytical perspective and understanding of applied methodology with hands-on
experience in conducting social/cultural research.
 Develop and present arguments in support of their own positions on the specific cultural problems
considered in this course.
 Build problem-solving capabilities through hands-on experience within real-world situations.

Cognitive Skills:
 Structure ideas and arguments, both orally and in writing, in a clear and logical fashion, and support
them with relevant examples and evidence.
 Differentiate and be able to navigate between opinions and facts.
 Ability to summarize, analyze and discuss others' arguments from different subject positions.
 Develop personal and academic communication skills through the ample reading, writing and
speaking opportunities structured into this course.

Attitudes:
 Respect for ideas which are different from one’s own.
 Understand that ideas and behavior are linked to the cultural, economic and political circumstances
of a society.
 Self-awareness of the influence of our own biases, expectations and stereotypes.
 Eagerness to further pursue community-based projects and academic research.

Transferable Skills:
 Identify significant details in various texts
 Cite evidence to strengthen argument
 Compare and contrast different point of views
 Read for enjoyment
 Expand vocabulary
 Practice public speaking
 Develop tools of fieldwork and data collection

Required Readings
Students are responsible for reading all handouts as well as selected parts (noted in the Course Schedule
below) of the material, which can be found online:
 Openstax, Introduction to Sociology (Rice University, “open source” licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license, 2016). http://cnx.org/contents/r-
QzKsl_@7.23:KZMdiUko@7/Preface (Accessed on 15 February 2017).

 Marjorie Lee North, “Mastering the Basics of Communication” (Harvard Division of Continuing
Education and Professional Development). http://www.extension.harvard.edu/professional-
development/blog/mastering-basics-communication (Accessed on 17 February 2017); and

 “10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills” http://www.extension.harvard.edu/professional-

development/blog/10-tips-improving-your-public-speaking-skills (Accessed on 17 February 2017).
Throughout the semester, additional readings will be distributed in-class or by e-mail by the instructor.
Documentation and Academic Honesty
Avoiding plagiarism and cheating:

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Cheating is defined by AUM as any illegitimate behavior designed to deceive those setting,
administering and marking the assessment. Cheating can take a number of forms, including:
 The use of unauthorized books, notes, electronic aids or other materials in an examination.
 Obtaining an examination paper ahead of its authorized release.
 Collusion, i.e. the representation of another's work or ideas as one's own without appropriate
acknowledgement or referencing, where the owner of the work knows of the situation and both
work towards the deceit of a third party (while in plagiarism the owner of the work does not
knowingly allow the use of his or her work).
 Acting dishonestly in any way; including fabrication of data, whether before, during or after an
examination or other assessment, so as to either obtain or offer to others an unfair advantage in
that examination or assessment.

Forms of plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the act of representing another's work or ideas as one's own without appropriate
acknowledgement or referencing. There are three main types of plagiarism:
 Direct copying of text or images from a book, article, essay, computer program, handout, thesis,
web page or other source without proper acknowledgement.
 Claiming individual ideas derived from a book, article etc. as one's own, and incorporating them into
one's work without acknowledging the source of these ideas.
 Overly depending on the work of one or more others without proper acknowledgement of the
source by extracting large sections of text from another source and merely linking these together
with a few of one's own sentences or using 'essay bank' material.
To avoid plagiarism, students are expected to keep systematic written notes of the sources they use at
the time they refer to the sources in their written work using the MLA format.

Penalty for cheating, plagiarism and mobile usage:

AUM has strict rules and harsh penalties (including expulsion from the university) on cheating,
plagiarism and mobile usage. There is absolutely no tolerance for academic dishonesty in this course. If
any sort of cheating and/or plagiarism is detected, then that assignment will not be evaluated and
receive a zero mark.

Attendance Policy
Lecture attendance is mandatory.

Mandatory attendance is needed to develop a strong sense of community in a classroom, and to foster a
healthy sense of participatory classroom filled with discussion and activities and to help build self-
discipline among students. Therefore, students have to show up for this to work and take mutual
responsibility to participating in class discussion. Failure to show up and participate hurts the whole
learning experience.

Students are expected to attend all class sessions of courses in which they are enrolled. A prior approval
is required for class absence, except for emergencies. A student is absent from more than 15% of the
total contact hours in a course, s/he fails the course. In the case of a student who misses more than 20%
of the contact hours in a course, but submits a valid medical report or excuse approved by the
instructor, the chairperson and the dean, shall be considered as having withdrawn from the course, and
shall be subject to withdrawal regulations.

AUM encourages instructors not to make attendance a disproportionately weighted component of the
final grade. Students whose absence from class resulted from: (1) participation in University-sanctioned
activities and programs; (2) personal illness; (3) family and/or other compelling circumstances; or (4)
representing the country or the University in an official capacity shall be permitted to miss no more than
20% of the total contact hours. Instructors have the right to request documentation verifying the basis

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of any absences resulting from the above factors. Any student who believes that his or her final grade
for a course has been reduced unfairly because of attendance factors has the right to appeal that grade.

Attendance is taken within the first couple of minutes at the beginning of each class, starting at random
points on the class list (so no one will always go first). If a student’s name is called and is not present at
that time, s/he will be considered late. Please note that three late attendances = one absence.

Classroom Conduct
Since every student is entitled to full participation in class without disruption, all students are expected
to come to class prepared and on time. With the exception of a medical condition accompanying a
doctor’s note, students must remain in class for the entire period. All phones or other electronic
devices must be put away during class (computers/tablets for note-taking or other classwork are
permitted). Covered beverages, but not food, are permitted in the classroom.

Assessment Overview

Description Weight Due

Punctuality, Preparedness and Participation 10% N/A
Submitting Proposal 30% Weeks 8-9
Presentation of Final Project 20% Weeks 12-15
Submitting Final Project 40% Weeks 15

Course Schedule (subject to change by announcement)

Week Starting Date Topics to be Covered Readings/Assignments

1 Mon 19/2/2018 Introductions
2 Mon 26/2 Discuss Syllabus
3 Mon 5/3 Social Constructions of Reality Introduction to Sociology, pp. 84-87
4 Mon 12/3 Socialization Introduction to Sociology, pp. 94-96
Mon 19/3 Introduction to Sociology, pp. 98-
5 Nature vs. Nurture
100
6 Mon 26/3 Symbolic Interactionism Introduction to Sociology, pp. 17-18
7 Mon 2/4 Present Proposals
8 Tues 10/4 Present Proposals Proposals Due
Mon 9/4 Holiday: Easter
9 Mon 16/4 Present Proposals Proposals Due
Mon 23/4 Mastering the Basics of
10 Proposals Returned
Communication
11 Mon 30/4 10 Tips for Improving Public Speaking
Tues 1/5 Holiday: Labor Day
12 Mon 7/5 Project Presentations
13 Mon 14/5 Project Presentations
Thurs 17/5 Holiday: Ascension Day
14 Tues 2/1/2018 Project Presentations Final Projects Due
15 Mon 8/1/2018 Project Presentations Final Projects Due
Mon 4/6 Last Day of Classes
Tues 5/6 – Thurs 14/6 Final Exam Period

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Assignments and Grading
Punctuality, Preparedness and Participation (10 points):

It is essential that students come on time and prepared to participate in each class since it will count for
10 percent of the total grade.

Project Proposal (30 points):

Following the format below, students will give a 5-7 minute presentation of their proposed project in
order to gain feedback and insights from the class. Each student is required to submit a short write-up
of her/his proposed research project, which includes the following elements:

1. Topic State the problem of the research in no more than 3-5 sentences.
2. Interest State your personal interest in the research topic and reflect on how it might
influence your findings in no more than 1-2 paragraphs.
3. Significance State the larger social, political and economic issues that pertain to the topic of the
project. This section must include references from no less than two external sources
(e.g., newspaper articles, interviews, journal articles, primary studies).
4. Question State the research question(s) under investigation.
5. Method State the way(s) the research will investigate the problem/question and the reasons
this method was selected in no more than 2-3 paragraphs.
6. Impact State the way(s) the research project can have an impact within the wider
community.

The proposal should indicate which of the final project options you have chosen. Proposals will be
returned, with comments, within one week. If the first attempt is not feasible, students will have the
opportunity to submit a revised proposal.

Presentation of Final Project (20 points):

At the end of the semester, students are asked to give an 8-12 minute presentation of their projects.
This will be an opportunity for the entire class to reflect on different topics and engage in meaningful
discussion. The final project must be based on findings gained through primary research and evidence.
Secondary sources need to be properly referenced according to MLA standards.

Final Project (40 points):

The final project is expected to be creative, one that brings awareness to the subject and how it
impacts our daily lives. (Please note that projects in the form of Power-Point Presentations will be
acceptable, but not given as much weight as creative projects in the evaluation process.)

Below are suggested approaches toward the final project. Other ideas are welcomed – such as poetry,
informative pamphlets, wearable pieces, architectural designs, original artwork, short plays or musical
compositions – but they need to be discussed with the instructor as soon as possible.

The project can be individual, pair or group work, but each student needs to contribute a unique part of
the project that can be evaluated independently of the group. In other words, it is alright to work
together on a topic, but each member of a group has to submit their own unique part of the project
based on their own research.

Please note that any of the options below may be submitted to the AUMagazine for publication in the
form of a full-length piece or summary with links or images.

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Final Project Options

Opinion-Editorial (op-ed):

Write an opinion piece for a local, regional or international newspaper or website. Successful op-eds
usually tackle a current event or news-making development in order build a larger argument on the
ethical or moral significance of a specific subject.

Op-eds are usually about 750 words, so every word counts. Look to the op-ed pages of The Jordan
Times, The New York Times or The Washington Post for examples. Op-eds are not academic essays that
build an argument slowly. Instead, they make a strong argument in the beginning of the piece and back
it up with personal observation, facts and research.

Photo Blog:

Create a blog with 8-10 photos and accompanying reflections. The images should explore a theme or
issue coherently and should not be a random collection of photos.

Some individuals may not want to be photographed, so you must obtain permission/informed consent
in advance, particularly when photographing minors.

Documentary:

Create a short (4-6 minute) documentary film. The film could include discussions with stakeholders,
interviews with other experts in Jordan and/or your own narration of a specific issue. If you choose this
option, discuss it first with the course instructor. Never film a demonstration, military installation or
government building. Always obtain permission/informed consent in advance before filming any
individuals who speak or can be identified in the film.

Format for Written Assignments and E-mail

All written assignments must have a title page that includes the following information:

1. Your name and AUM Student ID#

2. Type and Title of the assignment
3. Course Title (Cultural Development 2) and Section Number
4. Instructor's name and date submitted

All e-mail sent by the student must have the following information in the Subject Line:

1. Purpose of e-mail (e.g., Request to send syllabus, Assignment’s Type/Title, etc.)

2. Course Title and section Number (CD2S2)

Adherence to this practice will be reflected in your PPP mark (for email) and/or evaluation of your
Final Project (see Evaluation Criteria below).

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Evaluation Criteria

All assignments will be evaluated according to a common set of criteria which is designed to encourage
each to student to hone their knowledge, perspectives and skills throughout the course, using each
assignment as an opportunity to demonstrate the following:

Excellent Good Fair Poor

Description 10-9pts 8-7pts 6-5pts 4-0pts
Provides a clear, factual description of problem
Applies abstract concepts accurately
Remains focused on central point
Interpretation 10-9pts 8-7pts 6-5pts 4-0pts
Identifies connections between the course material and
problem/research
Draws logical conclusions, explains assumptions and
analyzes complexity of issue
Considers alternative points of view and/or interpretations
Assesses own biases, stereotypes and/or assumptions
Language and Format 10-9 pts 8-7 pts 6-5 pts 4-0 pts
Demonstrates accurate grammar and mechanics (adhering
to MLA standards)
Includes external sources, which are properly referenced, to
develop points and observations
Provides complete personal details (name, class,
assignment, date)

((END))

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