VV064
VV064 Syllabus – Academic and Professional Skills in English for IT
Mgr. Antonín Zita, M.A., Ph.D.
Spring 2019, Monday 12:00 – 13:40, C511
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 covers the following areas: the difference between formal and informal language and
their proper use, summarizing information effectively, paraphrasing and avoiding plagiarism,
writing formal letters, and presentation style and delivery.
Evaluation:
The course evaluation is based on the following:
- class participation (15%)
- formal/informal exam (in Week 7) (20%)
- presentation (25%)
- summary assignment (20%)
- homework assignments (20%)
Class participation
Active participation in class assignments and discussions is expected.
Formal/informal exam
There will be an in-class exam in Week 7. The exam focuses on formal/informal and
personal/impersonal vocabulary as well as grammar and overall style.
Presentation
Students will give a presentation during the last week of the course (TO BE DISCUSSED,
will depend on the overall number of students in the course). The presentations should last
between 10 and 15 minutes and the topic will be chosen after a discussion with the instructor.
Summary assignment
This assignment takes place during the examination period and has two parts. First, students
will write a summary of a source, and then they will review two other summaries written by
their peers.
Homework assignments
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For majority of classes students need to submit written assignments. These are separated into
two types – minor assignments and major assignments. Minor assignments are evaluated
based on submitted/not submitted basis. Major assignments are graded according to the
quality of the submission. Assignments are always given for the following week (so the
assignment in Week 1 is due before Week 2). Unless otherwise noted, the deadlines for all
homework assignments are Saturday midnight before next class.
A timely submission of short homework exercises is also vital for completion of the course.
You receive a deduction of 10 percent for every day past the deadline for all major
assignments. Those who do not submit all their assignments by the end of the teaching period
will receive an ‘X’ (failed to complete) as their course grade. In such case, resits are NOT
possible.
Course policies:
Students are allowed not to attend two classes. In case of more absences – whether excused or
not – please get in touch with the instructor ASAP.
Syllabus:
Week 1 – Feb 18
Introduction to the course, formal/informal language and vocabulary, using the appropriate
register
Assignment (minor): Using academic language
Week 2 – Feb 25
Formal/informal language and vocabulary (continued), reporting verbs
Assignment (minor): 4/C, 5
Week 3 – March 4
Additional formal/informal practice, reporting verbs (continued)
Assignment (minor): complete 2/D
Week 4 – March 11
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Paraphrasing and plagiarism; introduction to letter writing
Assignment (minor): write a cover letter (i.e. a motivational letter for applying to a job
position) to a fictional workplace of your choice. Try to include all formal aspects of
writing such letter you deem necessary. Aim at around 200 words.
Week 5 – March 18
Writing business letters; basic organization and structure in writing
Assignment (major): submit examples of discourteous/rude letters, email or other forms
of communication and suggest revision.
Week 6 – March 25
Writing cover letters
Assignment (major): Conduct an online research and find an employer or a research
group/center related to your studies. Imagine you are writing a cover letter for an
available position at your desired location. Deadline April 13, midnight.
Week 7 – April 1
Formal/informal exam
Understanding summaries
Assignment (minor): The Case of the Piltdown Man
Week 8 – April 8
Further discussion of summaries; Introduction to presentations, How not to give a
presentation
Assignment (major): Hans Rosling video (see handout). Deadline April 20, midnight.
Week 9 – April 15
Some problems with presentations, polishing presentations
Assignment (minor): Presentation outline: students will submit the outlines of their
presentations. These outlines should clearly indicate the proposed topic, your overall
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point (what you are trying to say), as well as the structure of the presentation. In
general, you should include a few secondary sources, the style and the target audience of
your presentation (more formal/more informal; general public/students/experts).
Deadline April 27, midnight.
Week 10 – April 22
No class – Easter
Week 11 – April 29
Further presentation discussion and practice
Assignment (major) – writing a summary (see handout). Deadline May 18, midnight.
Week 12 – May 6
Giving feedback; abstracts vs summaries
Week 13 – May 13
Presentation session - TBA
Course wrap-up