This course enables students to deal with the academic reading and writing requirements of the program courses.  Course activities develop advanced-level reading ability by focusing on main ideas and specific information, by recognizing lexical meaning from content areas in context, and by training in writing that presents clear, well-researched arguments within particular essay styles and structures.  Students will acquire independent research skills, using online and print sources in a responsible and ethical manner so as to extend their critical thinking ability within a piece of academic discourse.