Course Syllabus

Course Name: Specialized English Course Code: 100 NJA

Course Instructor: Email:

Dr. Hana Jan hjan@ksu.edu.sa
Office: 149 Office Hours: by email & appointment

Time: Wednesday 08:00 – 10:50. Location: online via Blackboard or ZOOM

Semester: Second Academic Year: 2020/2021

Course Description:
The course is designed to develop the communication skills and specialist English Language
knowledge of computer sciences and technical students, enabling them to communicate more
confidently and effectively with peers/ colleagues. The topics covered are common to computer
studies and information and communication technology disciplines to help them understand a
wide range of texts about information and communication technologies ICT. Furthermore,
authentic activities, from describing technical problems and suggesting solutions to working with
different hardware and software, make the course relevant and motivating. The course also
focusses on introducing many technical and semi- technical vocabulary and a list of acronyms
and abbreviations to enable students to become familiar with such terms and acronyms while
practice using specialist language. The course is designed to lay emphasis on listening, speaking,
reading and writing skills to help students to develop their communicative ability within the field
of Computer Studies.

Course Outcomes:
By the end of the semester, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in using technical terms related to computer and technology in
reading, writing and speaking.
- Demonstrate acceptable writing and editing skills.
- Develop teamwork abilities and communicate ideas and thoughts within a group and
develop listening and speaking skills.
- Analyze complex technical texts and respond in writing and speaking to such texts and
problems.
- Write a technical report by properly addressing a set of requirements.

Course Plan:

1
This plan is primary and may subject to changes if necessary.
Week Date Events
1. 20/Jan. Registration& Introduction
2. 27/Jan. Book 1 Unit 1, 2& 3
3. 3/Feb. Book 1 Unit 4, 5& 6
4. 10/Feb. Book 1 Unit 7, 8 &9 – Quiz 1
5. 17/Feb. Book 1 Unit 10& 11
6. 24/Feb. Book 1 Unit 12, 13&14- Quiz 2
7. 3/March Book 1 Unit 15 & Revision
8. 10/March Midterm
9. 17/March Book 2 Unit 14& 15
10. 24/March Book 3 Unit 1, 2& 3
11. 31/March Book 3 Unit 4, 5& 6 – Quiz 3
12. 7/ April Book 3 Unit 7, 8 &9
13. 14/ April Book 3 Unit 11, 12 &13
14. 21/ April Report Submission and Presentation
15. 25-29/ April General Exams
16. 29/April –
16/May Eid Break
17.
18. 16/ May. Return Week
19. 23/May-
3/June Finals
20.

Required Materials:
Career Paths: Computing
Infotech: Cambridge English for Computer Users. Fourth Edition.

Grade Distributions:
 Mid-Term: 25 marks
 Quizzes: 10 marks
 Assignments and participation: 10 marks.
 Final Report: 10 marks.
 Presentation: 5 marks
 Final Exam: 40 marks.
Class Policy:

2
  Be flexible and open minded as we are experiencing exceptional circumstances due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Policies and process are subject to change as per the announced
regulations of the Ministry of Education.
 Don’t be absent for the in-term exams. If you have an extreme reason for being absent,
you will need to present a written excuse of your absence, and then each individual case
will be dealt with accordingly.
 Submit your report on the designated date. Late submission will cause mark deduction.

Report Guidelines:
Students need to submit a 3-4 pages paper 750 to 1000 words typed, double spaced on a
topic of their choice that is related to computer, programming, or technology.
Use MLA format.
Use at least 3 resources and maintain proper referencing and citation.

MLA format Guidelines:

An MLA format heading can be placed at the top of the first page. you’ll need to include
four main components:
 Your full name
 Your instructor’s name
 The name of the course or class
 The assignment’s due date
1. Use one-inch margins around the entire page. 
2. Place the title of the assignment in the center of the page. Do not bold the title,
italicize the entire title, place quotation marks around it, or type the title out in capital
letters. 
3. Use italics for the titles of any sources in the title of your paper. Example: An
Analysis of Mythical Creatures in the Harry Potter Series 
4. The title should be written in title case form. Capitalize the:
1. first letter of the title
2. first letter of the last word
3. first letter of any adjectives, adverbs, nouns, pronouns, and verbs 
5. Double space the entire page.
6. Keep the font size at 12 pt., or a size close to it, to make it look professional.
7. Use the same font as the text of the paper. The Modern Language Association
recommends any font that is easy to read and has a clear distinction between italics
and standard font. Times New Roman and Arial are recommended, but many other
fonts work as well. 
8. Include a page number in the top right corner of the paper.
9. We do not recommend adding any images or cover art to the title page. 
10. Citation:

3
  The list of citations should be the very last page of a research project or essay
 The top of the page should include the running head and the final page number
 All entries should be placed in alphabetical order by the first item in the MLA
format citation
 The entire page should be double spaced

Presentation Guidelines:
Students need to present their reports using PowerPoint, showing at least 5 slides.

Suggested topics for reports:

1. Drone Technology
2. Artificial Intelligence
3. Nano Tech
4. Machine Learning
5. AR/VR
6. 5G
7. IoT
8. Blockchain
9. Robotics
10. 3D printing
11. eCommerce
12. Cyber Security
13. Telecom infra
14. Virtual learning
15. Social Media Privacy
16. Cloud Strategy
17. War technology
18. Automotive technology
19. Microchip implant
20. Food technology
21. Entertainment technology
22. Music Technology
23. Biotech and MedTech