Transylvania University New International Student Orientation

Summer 2015 Online Preparation Program

Instructor and Contact Information:
James Wright
Email: jwright@transy.edu
Skype ID: by request
Summer Preparation Program Description: This series of study modules is designed to
respond to your expectations and concerns as incoming new international student at
Transylvania University. Each module addresses a few important realms of your education here,
emphasizing academic skills and strategies for succeeding academically. During the summer,
you will complete each module by reading texts, watching videos, consulting resources, and
responding in writing in your own blogs.
Required Texts

Fowler, Karen Joy. We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves. New York: Plume/Penguin, 2013.
*Free e-book copy will be emailed to you soon.
Program Policies and Expectations

Complete every module. In order to prepare for the sessions and the exam during the
August New International Student Orientation, completeon timeall of the requirements
for each module listed below in the calendar.

Post your responses on your own blog. Always post your answers to the pre- and postreading questions in each module on time by the deadlines listed in the calendar below.

Stay in touch with your English as a Second Language (ESL) specialist (me!). As you can
see above, I am available by email and by Skype. If you would like to speak to me on
Skype, we can set up an appointment on either a Tuesday or Thursday.

Take yourself seriously as a student. Allow yourself enough time to complete each
module, celebrate your successes, and learn from your mistakes.

Be respectful. When you post responses to the material and your classmates work, make
sure to show fairness to everyones thoughts.

Familiarize yourself with Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). All deadlines for the summer
modules occur according to the time zone of the Eastern United States. Make sure to follow
this requirement carefully, using an accurate time-source such as timeanddate.com:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/usa/lexington-fayette

Format and Communication

During the summer program, you can ask me questions by email at jwright@transy.edu or by
Skype (email me to request Skype ID). I will post a weekly message to you on the International
Student Orientation blog, which you will access and read. You will also have access to your
classmates individual blogs. So, as you can see, we will use

one program blog that we all share and on which I will write messages to everyone
an individual blog for each studentlike you.

On your individual Wordpress blog, you will writeand postyour responses to pre-reading
and post-reading questions for each module. Prior to completing Module #1, you will create your
own blog and email the URL to me.
Detailed instructions for creating a Wordpress blog are posted for you on the International
Student Orientation blog under the Resources tab.
August 2015 New International Student Orientation and Exam
At the beginning of each summer program module, you will find pre-reading questions that you
will answer on your own blog. At the end of each module, you will find post-reading questions
that you will answer on your own blog. Each of these sets of questions prepares you for the
exam over all of the preparation material in the summer program and the New International
Student Orientation. The tentative exam date is Thursday, August 13.
Weekly Calendar
NOTE: All reading material included in this calendar is posted on the program blog under the
Summer Preparation Program Modules tab.
Module #1
Title:

, , Bienvenidos, , Cho mng, Bienvenue:

Welcome to the Liberal Arts!

Reading:

Read Module #1 (handout) and Email Etiquette (handout)

Blog Posts:

Respond to the pre-reading and post-reading questions/prompts listed in

the Module #1 tab on our program blog.
In your responses/blog posts, use at least five (5) of the new vocabulary
words listed in the Module #1 handout

Deadline:

Blog posts are due on your blog by 5:00 EDT on Wednesday, July 1

Module #2
Title:

Ill Just Do It Later Awesome or OK:

Handling Homework and Organizing Your Time like a Pro

Reading:

Read Module #2 (handout)

Blog Posts:

Respond to the pre-reading and post-reading questions/prompts listed in

the Module #2 tab on our program blog.
In your responses/blog posts, use at least five (5) of the new vocabulary
words listed in the Module #2 handout

Deadline:

Blog posts are due on your blog by 5:00 EDT on Wednesday, July 8

Module #3
Title:

Taking Control of Learning: Academic Resources and You

Reading:

Read Module #3 and handouts/webpages

Blog Posts:

Respond to the pre-reading and post-reading questions/prompts listed in

the Module #3 tab on our program blog.
In your responses/blog posts, use at least five (5) of the new vocabulary
words listed in the Module #3 handout

Deadline:

Blog posts are due on your blog by 5:00 EDT on Wednesday, July 15

Module #4
Title:

Collaborate and Listen! Working with the Writing Center

Reading:

Read Module #4 and handouts/webpages

Blog Posts:

Respond to the pre-reading and post-reading questions/prompts listed in

the Module #4 tab on our program blog.
In your responses/blog posts, use at least five (5) of the new vocabulary
words listed in the Module #4 handout

Deadline:

Blog posts are due on your blog by 5:00 EDT on Wednesday, July 22

Module #5
Titles:

Who Said That? Using Sources in Your Writing

Say What? Ways to Participate in Class
Whoa! This Is Different: Asking for Help, Adjusting Expectations

Reading:

Read Module #5 and handouts/webpages

Blog Posts:

Respond to the pre-reading and post-reading questions/prompts listed in

the Module #5 tab on our program blog.
In your responses/blog posts, use at least five (5) of the new vocabulary
words listed in the Module #5 handout

Deadline:

Blog posts are due on your blog by 5:00 EDT on Wednesday, July 29