Coordinator: Edward Mitchell
Secretary: Remizye Mujdeci
Location: YADYOK Building, South Campus
Extension: (+90) 212 359 5400 and (+90) 212 359 7339
Number of students: The number of students enrolled in Advanced English courses in the First Semester of the Academic Year 2006-2007 is 1109. The distribution of these students according to their departments can be found at the end of this page

Academic Staff:

Dr. Suzan Alptekin
Belgin Altop
Inci Bilgin
Ulker Bilgin
Dr. Meltem Gurle
Assistant Professor Deniz Ilgaz
Assistant Professor Edward Mitchell
Asude Kucuk Czyz
Yagiz Tanli

The new approach in AE courses

In recent years, based on the needs of the students, the Advanced English Unit has developed a new approach in the content of its courses. In this approach, rather than the traditional concept of language teaching which leads to a general lack of motivation among students, the courses aim at improving their English skills indirectly through developing their general culture. This change was made possible due to the qualifications in different disciplines of the staff members. That this new concept has been widely accepted and appreciated by students is clear both from interviews with them and from the fact that the number of students enrolled in AE courses has risen from 350-400 to the current 1009 in the last 5 years. Another indication of student satisfaction is the high scores received by the AE staff members through the Student Evaluation Questionnaires.

AE Courses

The Advanced English Unit of the School of Foreign Languages offers the following courses:
AE 111, AE 112, AE 201, AE 202, AE 204, AE 205, AE 221, AE 231, AE 241 and AE 242. New courses are in the process of being prepared and are expected be opened by the Unit in the near future.

Two different groups of AE courses The AE courses can be analyzed in two groups in terms of how they accommodate the students. AE 111 and AE 112 courses, which comprise the first group, are primarily given to students who have passed the Proficiency Test with a grade of C, and whose departments require them to take these courses. However, students for whom these are not required courses also want to take them as electives and are accommodated by the AE staff members so far as class numbers permit. The second group is made up of the 8 different HSS courses. AE 111 and AE 112

These courses are given by all of the 10 instructors in the Unit. The sections opened by 10 different instructors present a rich variety to the students. Courses' contents differ but the main aim is the same for all. Below are some examples from the contents offered:

• study of articles from foreign and Turkish sources giving information on international relations; discussion and writing on these topics... Analysis of subjects related to United Nations, NATO, European Council, European Economic Council, European Union...
  
  
• public speaking- teaching , creating an awareness of and application of oral presentation skills... modern realistic theater - study and analysis through discussion of plays by Ibsen, Shaw and contemporary dramatists Pinter and Fugard.... developing students' skills of inference and self expression... Mythology...well known mythological characters and stories...
  
  
• a syllabus under two headings: "Articles for Thought" and "Short Stories" encouraging students to develop their skills of analysis and synthesis; enabling them to carry out discussions and reach logical conclusions through the study of materials related to human rights, influence of social and individual psychology on people, philosophy, ethics, how to lead a civilized life style (concepts including love, respect and honesty); education; health (e.g. what is AIDS and how can it be prevented? How can we become a healthier society through social awareness?)
  
  
• study of articles in international sources about Turkey, texts about current events, articles on the archeological heritage of Turkey; short stories by contemporary writers, development of skills in written expression and reading between the lines...
  
  
• study of short stories related to topics of freedom, emancipation and identity problems; development of skills of analysis , reading, speaking and writing aimed at enabling students to think and form their own opinions...

AE courses taken as HSS

AE 201, AE 202, AE 204, AE 205, AE 221, AE 231, AE 241,and AE 242

AE 201 Report Writing I (3+0+0) 3

The aim of this course is to teach students how to prepare a term-paper by developing the knowledge and skills necessary for writing and orally presenting their work. Students are required, at the end of the term, to submit an 8-12 page paper and make a 20 minute oral presentation on a specific topic chosen by them and approved by the instructor. There are also certain concepts that the students are required to understand- the major one being plagiarism. Great emphasis is placed on the idea of plagiarism as theft in both the academic world and the business world. Because this has become a great issue today in our current environment (unfortunately quite strongly so in Turkey), students are made to develop the awareness that plagiarism is considered a major offence in developed communities.To enable this, they are taught to acknowledge the sources of all words, sentences and ideas that they borrow from other writers. They are also informed in great detail about commonly used documentation styles.

Therefore, the course concentrates on developing the skills of quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing and teaching the forms of documentation. Another principle of the course is related to subject choice. What is required is not simply collecting information, but compiling a term-paper with a question or a thesis. In other words, they are made to understand the concept of doing "research" defined as reaching their own conclusions (either in answering a question or proving a thesis) based on the various sources (library and Internet) they have studied. Presenting a wholly new, original thesis is also encouraged. The steps followed throughout the semester are as follows: choosing a topic, doing library and Internet research, evaluating sources, taking notes , drafting , analyzing sample term papers , documenting sources (citing and bibliography) and making an oral presentation. There are strict deadlines controlled by the instructor. In short, AE 201 is a course teaching students the standard rules and ethical responsibilities of doing research and writing a term paper.

AE 202 Report Writing II (3+0+0) 3

To take this course, for which most of the concepts and skills acquired in AE 201 are necessary , either AE 201 or consent of the instructor is required. Here, students meet new notions such as different types of variable, sampling techniques, types of scale, standardization, reliability, validity and expressing information through tables and graphs. It is emphasized from the beginning that they will not be expected to use statistics since the aim of the course is to equip students with the main ideas, format and terminology of social science research and enhance their use of English. Students are required to carry out a small-scale undergraduate survey and the sample is usually chosen from among BU students. They prepare and administer questionnaires in addition to writing a literature review based on library and Internet research. They have to prove their hypotheses by combining these two sources (literature review and questionnaire results). The procedure is as follows: choosing a research question; writing the literature review; choosing a sample; designing, piloting and administering a questionnaire, analyzing, interpreting and presenting the results and finally preparing posters for a poster session where they exhibit a condensed form of their papers on posters. Teachers and students are invited to view the posters and students explain their findings to viewers orally. The papers comprise these parts: abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, references.

AE 204 English through Public Speaking and Drama I (3+0+0) 3

In accordance with the framework established in the Boðaziçi University Catalogue, AE 204 aims at improving students' general culture and developing their awareness in an art branch which will have a place in their future social lives. To reach this aim AE 204 helps students to gain the following:

awareness of two basic elements of public speaking- use of voice and breathing techniques awareness of the points one should take into account when making a speech experience in speaking in front of an audience knowledge about characteristics of Greek Drama of the 5th century B.C. by studying examples learning about Elizabethan Theater and getting acquainted with its prominent dramatist Shakespeare a better understanding and appreciation of drama through class discussion of plays read at home accumulation of background knowledge on the subject of drama improvement in students' English level due to all the activities, reading and speaking being carried out in English

AE 205 English through Public Speaking and Drama II (3+0+0) 3

In accordance with the framework established in the Boðaziçi University Catalogue, AE 205 aims at improving students' general culture and developing their awareness in an art branch which will have a place in their future social lives. To reach this aim AE 205 helps students gain the following:

• further familiarity with public speaking, use of voice and breathing techniques
  
• experience in speaking in front of an audience
• awareness and development of a drama culture resulting from active participation in class discussions following the study of texts
• knowledge about Turkish dramatic arts through a detailed study of Meddah, Karagoz- Hacivat and Ortaoyunu
• information about and analysis of texts related to tragedy, comedy, farce, Epic Theatre and Theater of the Absurd
• a better understanding and appreciation of drama through class discussion of plays read at home
• improvement in their English level due to all the activities, reading and speaking being carried out in English.

AE 221 Critical Reading (3+0+0) 3

In this course, students are expected to read a variety of articles that relate to current topics and be able to present their own reactions to the works both orally and in writing. Students are not only to read the articles, but to develop an awareness about the differences in interpretation of the writers, as well as take into consideration when, under which conditions and for which purpose the articles were published. Students are asked to understand ideological concepts, read between the lines, question how far they agree with the socio-cultural messages, learn not to accept everything they read and be able to participate in class discussion. To meet these criteria, students take only one exam but write several papers.

The papers have to be original comparative "reaction" essays of different texts on the same subject where they express their own critical thoughts. In brief, AE 221 is a course which enables students to come into contact with social and cultural topics that should interest all individuals in modern societies, and through this process revise and form their opinions. In this way they are prepared to become individuals who know how to read, think, feel, and express themselves effectively, not only throughout their university years but in "real" life after they graduate. The fact that all these activities are carried out in English will obviously also improve their English level. AE 231 English for International Relations (3+0+0 ) 3 Analyzing English texts related to international relations. Study of texts on European integration, security within NATO, the geopolitical situation of Turkey in the post Cold War period. The past and present of the European Union.

AE 232 English for European Political Integration (3+0+0 ) 3

Use of English terminology related to concepts and policies of European political integration. Texts covering the last five decades, leading to the present creation of a European Constitution. Acquisition of consciousness of "Europeanness". Enhancement of Turkey's efforts in the process of negotiations towards membership in the EU.

AE 241 English for Self-Expression I (3+0+0) 3

AE 241 is a course which basically concentrates on developing students' self-knowledge and self-confidence by enhancing their skills of expressing themselves in English, both in writing and orally. Exercises and activities both in and outside of class are primarily geared at raising their EQ's. In addition, students are expected to read extensively and critically on subjects including ethics, philosophy, psychology, law and business, to develop their own opinions, to form their own reactions and to express these effectively. The course concentrates in general on improving their written and oral language skills, and more specifically on coping with personality traits which have an adverse effect on self-expression and replacing these with healthier and more positive traits. In brief, the aim of the course is to enable students to know themselves better and control the personality traits that prevent effective self-expression and thus, to communicate better in English. The students are equipped culturally, socially and psychologically with skills that they will use in their "real" lives after university.

AE 242 English for Self-Expression II (3+0+0) 3 The prerequisite for AE 242 is AE 241 or consent of the instructor following an interview with the student. Students are expected to participate in class discussion following a period of concentrated preparation in reading and researching various topics or situations. In-class discussions will provide students with the opportunity to develop their critical thinking as well as their ability to express themselves in English. Once again, the focus is on written and oral language skills, and more specifically on personality traits that influence self-expression. Again, this course prepares students culturally, socially and psychologically for their "real" lives after university.

AE 300 English Through Dramatic Texts I is a course aiming to make in-depth analyses of the Epic Theater and The Theater of the Absurd. The reading materials will comprise informative texts on Epic Theater and The Theater of the Absurd as well as plays from both genres. The objective of the course is to create a rich cultural background concerning the two types of drama while at the same time improving students' English level through the reading of the texts and classroom discussions.

Epic Theater
Expressionism, the transition from Expressionistic Theater to Epic Theater
Erwin Piscator and Bertold Brecht
The influence of Marxist teaching on Brecht and its results
The objectives of Epic Theater
The techniques of Epic Theater
Plays to be read: "Mother Courage and Her Children" , "The Good Person of Szechwan", "The Caucasian Chalk Cirlcle"

The Theater of the Absurd
Dadaism, avant-garde experimentation following World War I
Antonin Artaud- his approach and influence
The traumatic results of World War II and dramatists of The Theater of the Absurd:
Samuel Beckett, Eugéne Ionesco, Arthur Adamov, Edward Albee
The characteristics of the Theater of the Absurd
Plays to be read: "Waiting for Godot", "Rhinoceros", "The Zoo Story"

Number of sections and number of students enrolled in Advanced English (AE) classes in the First Semester of the Academic Year 2006-2007

Student numbers

Number of Sections

Departmental distribution of AE students

Faculty of Education

Faculty of arts and Sciences

Faculty of Administrative Sciences of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Faculty of Engineering

School of Applied Disciplines

All courses and course definitions of the Advanced English Unit of the School of Foreign Languages may be seen under the undergraduate catalogue and/or graduate catalogue pages of Bogazici University. The links indicated below provide the most recent information about new courses or changes in course titles, definitions or credits as accepted by the university senate.Please check:

http://www.boun.edu.tr/undergraduate/index.html
http://www.boun.edu.tr/graduate/index.html