VV064 Syllabus – Academic and Professional Skills in English for IT
Mgr. Antonín Zita, M.A.
Spring 2016, Monday 18:00 – 19:50
Course Description:
Life, whether inside or outside academia, requires multiple sets of skills. As a consequence,
the course takes a holistic approach to academic and professional skills, therefore giving the
students an opportunity to widen their abilities that will be useful in their future careers. The
course will cover the following areas: the difference between formal and informal language
and their proper use, group discussion participation, text analysis (facts and arguments),
presentation style and delivery.
Evaluation:
The course evaluation is based on the following:
- class participation/homework (20%)
- class presentation (30%)
- formal/informal exam (in Week 7) (20%)
- summary assignment (30%)
Class participation
Active participation in class assignments and discussions is expected. In addition, a timely
submission of potential homework is also vital for completion of the course.
Presentation in class
Students will give a presentation during the last three weeks of classes. The presentations
should last around 10 minutes and the topic will be chosen after a discussion with the
instructor.
Formal/informal exam
There will be an in-class exam in Week 7. The exam focuses on formal and informal
vocabulary as well as grammar and overall style.
Summary assignment
This assignment takes place during the exam period and has two parts, each comprising 15%
of the final grade. First, students will write a summary of a source, then the students will
review two other summaries written by their peers.
Course policies:
Students are allowed not to attend two classes.
Syllabus:
Week 1 – Feb 22
Introduction to the course, formal/informal language and vocabulary, using the appropriate
register
Week 2 – Feb 29
Formal/informal language and vocabulary (continued), reporting verbs
Week 3 – March 7
Group discussion exercises
Week 4 – March 14
Understanding texts – facts vs. opinions
Week 5 – March 21
Understanding texts – arguments and levels of arguments
Week 6 – March 28
No class – Easter holidays
Week 7 – April 4
Introduction to presentations, how not to give a presentation; the basics of summaries
Formal/informal exam
Week 8 – April 11
No class. The students will meet with the instructor and discuss their presentations.
Week 9 – April 18
Some problems with presentations, polishing presentations
Week 10 – April 25
Further presentation discussion – analysis of the presentation, understanding the construction
and argument; body language
Week 11 – May 2
Presentation session 1
Further discussion of class topics.
Week 12 – May 9
Presentation session 2
Further discussion of class topics.
Week 13 – May 16
Presentation session 3
Course wrap-up