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Academic Course CTLA02H3

CTLA02H3 “Exploring Inter-Cultural Perspectives in Academic Contexts”

This course develops students' language, academic and communication skills through a critical exploration of Canadian culture and academic expectations. Using audiovisual and textual media, students learn through interactive online and in-class discussions. This course aims to foster dynamic academic acculturation for international students and develop their multi-literate engagement in English. Students are required to take a diagnostic test of their academic English skills, conducted by the English Language Development Centre in advance of the first day of class.

Exclusion: (HUMA11H3), (LGGA11H3)

Enrolment limit: 20 students per tutorial section

Breadth requirement: Arts, Literature & Language

CTLA02H3 is a pass/fail course with two lecture hours per week and a two-hour weekly tutorial. In this highly interactive course, students share their own knowledge and experience as they work collaboratively to critically explore diverse aspects of culture, including Canadian and academic culture. Using audiovisual, digital and print media, hands-on activities are designed around content, in order to develop students’ core English language and academic skills and to explore the complex and dynamic relationship between language, learning and culture.

There is a strong focus on English language usage and the development of critical thinking skills, and students are given a chance to engage in critical discussions through multiple channels, including various media options (wikis, podcasts, digital storytelling). Students who participate fully can expect to:

  1. develop their understanding of the relationship between language, culture, communication and context;
  2. recognize and understand key terms and concepts and apply various methods to explore the relationships indicated above;
  3. develop their awareness and understanding of different theoretical approaches to language and culture practices;
  4. develop their core academic English language skills and critical thinking skills;
  5. link course knowledge and apply it critically and creatively in order to actively explore academic culture;
  6. develop and apply a critical thinking framework for approaching media and evaluating textual and digital sources;
  7. experiment with different forms of media and digital technology;
  8. monitor and expand their oral and written academic English and interpersonal communication styles and skills;
  9. develop an adaptive framework for intercultural encounters and communication;
  10. reflect on and contribute their own knowledge to expand course knowledge;
  11. experiment with new academic learning strategies;
  12. collaborate to design and implement learning projects; and
  13. develop their capacity for participation and contribution in the classroom and beyond.

For more information, please visit: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/ctl/ctls-credit-courses