Interactive Syllabus

Welcome to the course CJVA302 Current Events in English-speaking Countries!

This is a course for students of international relations and related fields. The main focus of the seminar is on discussing current issues in world politics, based on watching videos concerning these issues and reading newspaper and/or journal articles. Great attention is also devoted to building vocabulary both from the field of international relations and Academic English as such. The content of the course will be created and adjusted together with the students according to their needs and preferences as discussed in the first seminar. Thus it is vital that you attend the first session!

We will be meeting each week at our scheduled time (Mondays at 10:00) online via Zoom. Here is the permanent link and basic info:

https://cesnet.zoom.us/j/92900884730?pwd=QU82VjBJSExIMkZHTHgzOWp2UHFpUT09

Meeting ID: 929 0088 4730

Passcode: 534456

Course requirements

1) Given the seminar structure of the course, students are expected to attend all sessions, with exceptions stated by the Masaryk University Study and Examination Regulations.

2) Students are expected to do required readings/viewings for each lecture. The readings serve to initiate discussion but also to expand students’ vocabulary and exposure to authentic English. Links to required readings will be sent via email and uploaded into the interactive syllabus or under the Study Materials → Learning Materials folder in the Information System.

3) During the semester, students will be required to cooperate in the preparation of one weekly presentation on a topic of interest. You will be expected to give an approximately 10-15 minute presentation on a particular aspect of the weekly topic. In addition to the presentation itself, the student should also include an interactive element (e.g. class debate, questions for discussion) in order to engage your classmates.

Registration: https://doodle.com/poll/zybignixc8xqsfun?utm_source=poll&utm_medium=link 

4) Students will also write a short position paper on their topic of interest based on independent research and readings done in preparation for the presentation. The paper should be approximately 2 standard pages (i.e. 3,600 characters including spaces) and should be around 1/3 summary of selected readings and 2/3 critical reflection on the topic. The paper should be submitted the same week as the presentation.

5) PowerPoint presentations from lectures will be provided in the Study Materials.

Office hours: Tuesdays, 16:00-16:45 via MSTeams