MDA203 Academic and Business Integrity, Writing, and Communication

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Tomáš Foltýnek, Ph.D. (lecturer), Mgr. Antonín Zita, M.A., Ph.D. (deputy)
Mgr. Antonín Zita, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Tomáš Foltýnek, Ph.D.
Department of Mathematics and Statistics – Departments – Faculty of Science
Supplier department: Department of Machine Learning and Data Processing – Faculty of Informatics (50,00 %), Language Centre, Faculty of Informatics Division – Language Centre (50,00 %)
Prerequisites
No specific requirements besides the language skills allowing students to study.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to understand principles of academic integrity with respect to cultural differences and get sufficient skills and proficiency in writing and communication. These skills and proficiency will allow students to use written communication effectively both in and outside of academia, including the business related aspects.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will:
understand the principles and importance of academic integrity, including ethical conduct and awareness of cultural differences;
be able to identify, analyze and solve ethical dilemmas related to the academic environment;
gain knowledge about the components of a well-structured essay, including how to create a strong thesis statement, develop coherent paragraphs, and establish a logical flow of ideas throughout their written assignments;
be aware of the importance of citation and referencing, able to cite sources properly; understand of the concept and the consequences of plagiarism;
Syllabus
  • Academic Integrity (Understanding academic integrity and its importance
  • Ethical conduct in academic settings, forms and consequences of academic misconduct, plagiarism)
  • Academic reading (Conducting literature review, Credibility of sources, Critical Thinking and Analysis)
  • Academic writing (Essay Structure and Organization, Developing coherent paragraphs and logical flow, Presenting arguments and counterarguments, Improving Clarity and Coherence)
  • Proper Citation and Referencing (Importance of referencing, Quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing, Building a reference list/bibliography, Avoiding Plagiarism)
  • Technological tools to improve academic writing (Automated tools for literature review, citation managers, mind mapping, spell and grammar checkers, rewriting and paraphrasing tools)
Literature
    required literature
  • Foltýnek, T. et al. (2021). How to Avoid Plagiarism: Student Handbook. Karolinum. https://karolinum.cz/knihy/foltynek-how-to-avoid-plagiarism-24023
    recommended literature
  • PECORARI, Diane. Academic writing and plagiarism : a linguistic analysis. London: Bloomsbury Academic, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2015, 214 stran. ISBN 9781472589101. info
  • BIZUP, Joseph and Joseph M. WILLIAMS. Style : lessons in clarity and grace. Eleventh edition, Pearson ne. Harlow, Essex: Pearson, 2014, ii, 226. ISBN 9781292039794. info
  • SWALES, John and Christine B. FEAK. Academic writing for graduate students : essential tasks and skills. 3rd ed. Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan Press, 2012, xiv, 418. ISBN 9780472034758. info
  • CARROLL, Jude. A handbook for deterring plagiarism in higher education. 2nd ed. Oxford: Oxford Centre for Staff and Learning Development, 2007, 128 p. ISBN 9781873576748. info
    not specified
  • A research agenda for academic integrity. Edited by Tracey Bretag. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, 2020, xvi, 205. ISBN 9781789903768. info
Teaching methods
Academic integrity module - synchronous sessions with discussions about selected ethical dilemmas Academic writing module - mostly asynchronous - students are given tasks, they submit solution, peer review, feedback; consultations with tutors on demand
Assessment methods
Participation in the discussion sessions, completion of asynchronous tasks, and final presentation (colloquium)
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
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