Science in U.S.

Culture
Osaka University “English for Scientists” Program 2010
Instructor: Tony Kazanjian
Day & Time: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 10:05-11:35 a.m.
Location: Room 2

Course Description:
This course is designed to help you improve your spoken and written English skills by
making presentations on a variety of American cultural topics and how they relate to your
individual scientific interests. American culture is a very big topic, but we will explore some key
aspects that are relevant to science and technology in this course. Each week will have a theme,
such as people, the environment, or business, which we will discuss in depth. As you participate
in class activities and communicate with your host family and other community members, you
will become more familiar with differences between US and Japanese culture, as well as topics
in recent American scientific history and culture.

Course Objectives:
 Improve English communication skills through readings, class discussions, and
presentations.
 Broaden students' knowledge of scientific themes in U.S. Culture
 Encourage understanding of cultural differences between Japan and the U.S.
 Increase student’s understanding of their scientific interests within U.S. Culture

Expectations:
It is important that you arrive on time and prepared for each class. You should also
participate actively in discussions, in-class activities, and group work. Part of understanding US
Culture is learning how to act in an American classroom. Please do your best to meet these
expectations.

Projects:

Weekly Presentations
Each week, we will discuss a general theme in US Culture, from people and daily life to
business and the environment. We will explore American thoughts and attitudes towards these
topics, but it is your responsibility to choose a field of science you are interested in (for example:
chemistry, computer engineering, telecommunications, biology, etc.) and give a group
presentation about how your field relates to the week’s theme.

Presentation topics can be about a new product, invention, current news event, scientific
discovery, etc. For example, if your scientific interest is in telecommunications and the week’s
topic is food, you can talk about how Americans use cell phones to find restaurants and order
food.
Artifact Assignment
This project will give you the opportunity to share with the class something that reflects
your view of US culture. You will choose one item that represents something interesting, new,
strange, or different about US culture. You will discuss this item with an American and then
share his/her reactions with the class along with your own.

Assignment % of Grade
Attendance and Class Participation 20
Interviews & Observations 30
Artifact Assignment 30
Class Presentations 20
Total 100
 Osaka University
U.S. Culture Class: MWF 10:05-11:35 a.m.

September 2010

Mon Wed Fri

30 1 PEOPLE/DAILY LIFE 3 PEOPLE/DAILY LIFE
Famous Americans in the Interview results
Program Orientation! fields of science Divide into fields of interests

(no class) Homework

Interview host family about Homework
their knowledge of a Prepare Artifact Presentation
particular scientist
6 8 HEALTH/FOOD 10 HEALTH/FOOD

Labor Day (no class!) Present Artifact Present findings

Class trip to Trader Joes
Common American foods

Homework
Research the nutritional facts
of your favorite American
food
13 TECHNOLOGY 15 TECHNOLOGY 17 TECHNOLOGY

Interesting inventions Prepare new invention Present new invention

20 ENVIRONMENT 22 ENVIRONMENT 24 ENVIRONMENT

Finish presentations, Global warming debate Class wrap up and goodbye

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