CJVA454 English for Political Science and International Relations

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2021
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Colin Kimbrell, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Abigail Mokra, M.A. et M.A. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Dana Plíšková (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Colin Kimbrell, Ph.D.
Language Centre Faculty of Social Studies Division – Language Centre
Contact Person: Mgr. et Mgr. Petra Trávníková, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Language Centre Faculty of Social Studies Division – Language Centre
Timetable
Mon 12:00–13:40 U44
Prerequisites (in Czech)
((FAKULTA(FSS))||(OBOR(MUSFSS)))
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/15
Course objectives
This is a course for master's students aimed at students of political science and related fields. The main focus of the seminar is on discussing current issues in Czech and world politics, based on watching videos concerning these issues and reading newspaper or journal articles. Great attention is also paid to building vocabulary both from the field of political science and Academic English as such. The content of the course will be adjusted to students' needs and preferences discussed in the first seminar.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to the course. Academic Orientation.
  • 2. Values. How to have better political conversations.
  • 3. Freedom.
  • 4. Loaded Language in political speeches (Obama announcing the capturing of Bin Laden).
  • 5. Political body language. News headlines I.
  • 6. Argumentation. Pro and against. Discussing current controversial political issues.
  • 7. Newspeak. Totalitarianism in world literature. Newsheadlines II.
  • 8. Mass Media and Politics. Populism.
  • 9. International Relations. Idioms used in political speeches.
  • 10. Being a political leader.
Teaching methods
discussions, listening to political speeches, reading academic texts, presentations, written assignments
Assessment methods
Active and regular participation.
Delivering a presentation on a topic related to the course syllabus and writing an abstract to it.
Giving several leads on current political issues.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Autumn 2021, Spring 2022, Autumn 2022, Spring 2023, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2021/CJVA454