VV064 Academic and Professional Skills in English for IT

Faculty of Informatics
Spring 2024
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Antonín Zita, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Marcela Sekanina Vavřinová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Mgr. Dana Otychová (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Eva Rudolfová
Language Centre, Faculty of Informatics Division – Language Centre
Contact Person: Mgr. Eva Rudolfová
Supplier department: Language Centre, Faculty of Informatics Division – Language Centre
Timetable of Seminar Groups
VV064/01: Wed 14:00–15:50 C511, A. Zita
VV064/02: Wed 12:00–13:50 A218, A. Zita
VV064/03: Mon 14:00–15:50 C525, A. Zita
VV064/04: Mon 10:00–11:50 C511, M. Sekanina Vavřinová
Prerequisites
VB001 English Exam || PROGRAM(N-UCI)
The prerequisite for enrolling in the course is passing the examination in English (VB001).
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 64 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 52/64, only registered: 0/64, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/64
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course aims at giving a well-rounded background in using English suited for both academic and professional area. One of the main focus of the course is formal and informal language and the fact that both have their places in professional and, to lesser extent, academic contexts. As there are multiple ways of maintaining formality, a proper grasp of its use can is needed to successfully navigate the complexities of everyday experiences in academia and professional work. Ultimately, formal and informal language are about presenting oneself to the world; as a result, presentations themselves as well as the ability to effectively summarize information will also be covered in the course. In other words, the course aims at improving not only the more language-oriented aspects of formal and informal English, but also the more abstract ways of thinking about oneself and the self's relation to the outside world.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course students should be able to: use appropriate register for a given language situation; compose well-structured letters essential for studies and workplace; effectively summarize information in speech and writing; give well-organized presentations; think about their approach to various tasks in academia and professions
Syllabus
  • Appropriate register (formal/informal language)
  • Writing professional letters
  • Understanding summaries
  • Giving presentations
Literature
    recommended literature
  • 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
  • Writing for science. Edited by Robert Goldbort. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2006, xiii, 330. ISBN 9780300117936. info
  • FOWLER, Henry Ramsey. The little, brown handbook. Edited by Jane E. Aaron - Daniel Anderson. 8th ed. New York: Longman, 2000, xxviii, 96. ISBN 0-321-07507-2. 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
    not specified
  • Cox, Kathy and David Hill. 2004. EAP Now! English for Academic Purposes. Pearson Longman. ISBN 1-74091-073-7.
  • SWAN, Michael. Practical English usage. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005, xxx, 658. ISBN 9780194420983. info
  • GILTROW, Janet. Academic writing : writing and reading in the disciplines. 3rd ed. Peterborough: Broadview Press, 2002, 421 s. ISBN 1551113953. URL info
  • SEAL, Bernard. Academic encounters : reading, study skills, and writing : content focus, human behavior. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997, xx, 220. ISBN 0521476585. info
Teaching methods
seminar discussions, written assignments, practice exercises
Assessment methods
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. 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 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.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2024, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fi/spring2024/VV064