International Student Learning Community
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Once you start classes, you will be part of the International Student Learning Community which is designed to help you succeed at SUNY Cortland. All incoming international students are required to take IS Seminar (International Student Seminar), a 1-credit course specially designed to help you transition into a new cultural and social environment.
As part of the International Student Learning Community you will participate in a local assessment of academic language skills so that we can have a better idea of the kind of academic support you might need. We offer 3 tracks of academic support with several possible combinations, designed to meet your specific needs: Track 1: Academic Reading & Writing, Academic Listening & Speaking, and Academic Grammar & Vocabulary. These are advanced EAP (English for Academic Purposes) courses that prepare you for the rigors of SUNY Cortland’s content classes. You will improve your academic skills by working on assignments similar to those you will have in your major. You will also take 6 credits of selected coursework offered to all students at SUNY Cortland (Art Studio, Mathematics, Computer Applications, for example). Track 2: ICC 229 – Introduction to Academic Language & University Practices. This course was designed with input from the SUNY Cortland faculty in all disciplines and the results of a major research project on the nature of academic language. You will hone your academic writing skills, learn about the expectations of American universities, be familiarized with the language and discourse conventions of your major, and work on assignments typically required in your major. In addition, you will take 9 credits of coursework in GE (General Education) and in your major. You may be advised to take one of the courses of Track 1 (Academic Listening & Speaking, for example). Track 3: You will take 12-15 credits of coursework in GE and in your major. You will have the option of taking ICC 229 if you so choose. You may even decide that you need more practice with Academic Listening & Speaking and take this course from Track 1. |