CMAa01 Academic Skills

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2026
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Šárka Jelínek Gmiterková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Klára Smejkal, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Šárka Jelínek Gmiterková, Ph.D.
Department of Film Studies and Audiovisual Culture – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Film Studies and Audiovisual Culture – Faculty of Arts
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Abstract
Starting an academic research project can feel like stepping onto a stage for the first time – exciting, a little intimidating, but full of potential. This course is here to guide you through that first act and prepare you to conduct your own small-scale research proposal and write it up in the form of an academic paper. You will acquire both the basic methodological tools for research in the field of performative arts and skills in academic writing in accordance with standards of European universities. The course is organized into three parts: 1) formulation of researchable topic, 2) designing and conducting empirical research, and 3) writing and presenting your research. In order to facilitate your competence in this area, you will need to submit a short and small-scale research plan on the topic related to the field of performative arts and media.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will: • Learn how to transform broad ideas into focused research questions. • Critically engage with secondary literature and search for relevant sources. • Understand and apply basic research methods (interviews, surveys, and visual analysis). • Create an ethical and feasible research design. • Structure a short research proposal and support their claims with vyluable sources. • Present their work in a clear, concise, and compelling way.
Key topics
  • Week 1: (17/9) Introduction to the course and study requirements / Smejkal & Jelínek Gmiterková
  • Week 2:(24/9) Scientific Inquiry in Humanities and Social Sciences / Smejkal
  • Week 3: (1/10) How to find a research problem: topic vs. research question vs. hypothesis / Smejkal
  • Week 4: (8/10) Critical work with secondary sources and where to find them / Jelínek Gmiterková
  • Week 5: (15/10) Research Approaches (qualitative, quantitative, mixed) / Smejkal
  • Week 6: (22/10) Researching People I: Survey & Interview / Smejkal
  • Week 7: (29/10) Researching People II: Research Ethics / Smejkal
  • Week 8: (5/11) Researching Content: Content and Visual Analysis / Jelínek Gmiterková
  • Week 9: (12/11) Consultations on final project
  • Week 10: (19/11) No class – reading week
  • Week 11: (3/12) Research Pitch I
  • Week 12: (10/12) Research Pitch II & Wrap-up
Study resources and literature
  • BECKER, Howard. Writing for social scientists. How to start and finish your thesis, book, or article. Chicago: Chicago university press, 2017 (second edition).
  • Babbie, E. 2013. The Practice of Social Research. 13th Edition. Belmont, CA.
  • Bryman, A. 2012. Social Research Methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Approaches, practices, and methods used in teaching
The course is based on 12 weekly in-person seminars. Each session will combine short lectures, practical activities, and open discussion. TUTORIALS Feeling stuck? Not sure if your research question is quite right? Or maybe you just need a fresh pair of eyes on your outline? You’re welcome to book one-on-one consultations any time during the course. Just send an email – we’ll find a time that works. PLAGIARISM POLICY All sources must be properly cited. Plagiarism will be treated as a serious academic offence and will be reported to the appropriate university authority.
Method of verifying learning outcomes and course completion requirements
To successfully complete the course, students must: - Attend regularly and participate actively - Submit a research design proposal and present it in one of the final two lectures - Achieve a grade based on the evaluation of the assignment Assesment: To successfully complete this course, you must develop a short but solid research design on a topic of your choosing related to media or performative arts. Think of it as a pitch for a real project – something that could grow into a longer thesis or creative inquiry. Don’t worry – we’re not expecting the next groundbreaking international study. Your design should be realistic, doable by two people (maximum) over the course of a few months. One research question. One clear method. One attempt to explore something that matters to you. Submit a written version of your proposal (approx. 3–5 pages) by 30. 11. (students presenting on 3. 12) and 7.12. (students presenting on 10. 12.) via IS. Present your project in a 5minute pitch in one of the last two session. Participation in the final presentation is required. The course cannot be completed without it.
Language of instruction
English
Study support
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/phil/podzim2026/CMAa01/index.qwarp
Teacher's information
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/phil/podzim2024/CMAa01/index.qwarp
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023, Autumn 2024, Autumn 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2026, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2026/CMAa01