CSE 501: “Immigration” Course

William J. Rapaport

Department of Computer Science & Engineering,Department of Philosophy, Department of Linguistics,

and Center for Cognitive Science

rapaport@buffalo.eduhttp://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport

You are all “immigrants”!

• All of you have immigrated into grad school

• Some of you have immigrated into CSE

• Many of you have immigrated into UB

• Most of you have immigrated to the US

Cultural Differences

• When you immigrate from one place to another,– there are cultural differences to adjust to

Language Differences

• What are the answers to these simple math problems?

5 into 10 =10 by 5 =

• Who “takes” a course?

• Who “gives” an exam?

• Where is my “seat”?

Language Differences

• What are the answers to these simple math problems?

5 into 10 = 10/5 = 2 [NOT: 5 x 10 = 50] 5 divided into 1010 by 5 = 10 x 5 = 50 [NOT: 10/5 = 2] 10 multiplied by 5

• Who “takes” a course?– Students take courses. – Faculty teach courses.

• Who “gives” an exam?– Faculty give exams. – Students take exams.

• Where is my “seat”?– My office is in Bell 214. – I have a seat in my office.

• Better: I have a chair in my office• (My pants have a “seat” :-)

Other Cultural Differences

• Gesture differences:

– What does it mean when I shake my head from side to side?

Other Cultural Differences (cont’d)

• Name differences:

– My name is “William Rapaport”• My “nickname” is “Bill”

– “First” name = Bill = given name “Second” or “last” name = Rapaport = family name

– You may call me:• Professor Rapaport• Doctor Rapaport• Bill [but only if you know me

very well]

But please do NOT call me:• Professor Bill• Doctor Bill :-)

Recommended Reading

• Reznick, Bruce A. (1985), “Chalking It Up: Advice to a New TA”

• Cohen, Robby, & Robin, Ron (eds.) (1985), “Teaching at Berkeley: A Guide for Foreign Teaching

Assistants”

– Both from: Case, Bettye Anne (ed.) (1989), Keys to Improved Instruction by TAs & Part-Time Instructors

(MAA Notes #11)

Website:“How to Teach”

• http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/501/501teaching.html

• Username = Bill

• Password = Rapaport