IREb1003 Academic Skills

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2021
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Martin Jirušek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Lukáš Lehotský, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Vratislav Havlík, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Vratislav Havlík, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 14:00–15:40 P21a
Prerequisites
! IRE103 Academic Skills && !NOW( IRE103 Academic Skills )
This course has no prerequisities.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 74 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 8/74, only registered: 0/74
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
At the end of the course, students will
• distinguish between different types of college writing assignments
• know how search for academic sources and know how to avoid plagiarism
• be able to critically evaluate argumentative texts and know how to formulate effective arguments of their own
• be able to present their work and deliver oral arguments
Learning outcomes
Students will get oriented within the main academic genres and will be acquainted with the basics of academic writing, speaking and debating skills.
Syllabus
  • Course outline: Introduction to the course. Course content, requirements, and expectations. Specific requirements of working in academia.
  • 1) Forms of written assignments I
  • 2) Forms of written assignments II
  • 3) Writing formally correct and well-structured text.
  • 4) Searching for sources: How to conduct a literature search. Citation practices and strategies for avoiding plagiarism.
  • 5) How to read critically?
  • 6) Practicing critical reading. An analysis and discussion of a selected reading
  • 7) Reading week: Seminar paper assigned in Week 5 is due. Upload the draft in the IS.
  • 8) Peer-evaluation of seminar papers. How to effectively edit a paper.
  • 9) Speaking & Presenting: Fundamentals and effective strategies of formal presentations in academia.
  • 10) Practicing discussion and debate skills. + Basic structure of argumentation. Judging strength of arguments.
  • 11) Teamwork & team presentations, practicing presentation skills. Giving and receiving feedback.
  • 12) Selection of a research topic, recapitulation & practice
Literature
  • Chivers, B.; Schoolbred, M. (2007). A Student´s Guide to Presentations: Making Your Presentation Count. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications
  • Barbour C. and Wright G.C. (2014). Keeping the Republic – Essentials: Power and Citizenship in American Politics, 6th edition, CQ Press, pp. 20-21.
  • Craswell, G.; Poore, M. (2012). Writing for Academic Success (2nd ed.). New Delhi: SAGE Publications
  • Belcher W. L. (2009). Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks, SAGE
  • Biggam, J. (2008). Succeeding with Your Master´s Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Handbook. Maidenhead: McGrawHill/Open University
  • Hartley, J. (2008). Academic Writing and Publishing: A Practical Handbook. New York: Routledge
Teaching methods
Students will learn in various ways. There will learn new information through lectures and home study. They practice knew skills in seminars, presentations, discussions and writing assignments.
Assessment methods
Position paper Review Poster Exam Attendance
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught each semester.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Autumn 2022, Spring 2023, Autumn 2023, Spring 2024, Autumn 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2021/IREb1003