AJ0302 Current Events in English Speaking Countries

Faculty of Education
Spring 2022
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Michael George, M.A. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Lucie Podroužková, Ph.D.
Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Popelková
Supplier department: Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Timetable of Seminar Groups
AJ0302/01: Thu 17:00–18:50 učebna 54, M. George
Prerequisites
none
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 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 1/30, only registered: 0/30, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
This is a seminar/discussion course where students will follow current events in the English language media and bring selected articles to summarize and present in class where they will compare, contrast and analyze the differing points of view in open conversation around the table. News sources will include both print and electronic and will be considered not only according to their nationality and political bias, but also according to their targeted readership (e.g. tabloid/broadsheet, Fox/BBC).
Learning outcomes
As developing teachers, the students will hone their speaking and listening skills, expand their vocabulary and familiarity with idiomatic language and journalistic discourse types, as well as assess cultural differences within English speaking lands. By discussing the same event as reported in various news sources, students will also appraise media - develop a critical eye as consumers of English, becoming better able to distinguish hidden or implied bias. By participation in the weekly "round table" discussions, and especially in the group presentations, students will have an opportunity to develop their spoken fluency in group situations.
Attendance, preparation, participation in class discussion and group presentations are the major credit requirements for this course.
Syllabus
  • While the exact curriculum will be determined by what is in the news each week in English-speaking lands, and is therefore impossible to codify, it is highly probable that discussion will center around reportage on subjects such as: Globalization and economy, Terrorism, Race relations and cultural clashes, Environment and global warning, Middle East conflict, Religion and fundamentalism, Immigration and third world development, Education, Social welfare and poverty, Politics, Gender
Literature
    required literature
  • Lee, Martin A. and Solomon, Norman. Unreliable Sources. New York: Carol Publishing Group, 1992
  • Literature for this class includes the whole scope of the English language media: newspapers, magazines, radio, television and Internet.
  • E. Bielsa and Susan Bassnett: Translation in Global News, Routledge 2009
Teaching methods
Students analyze certain aspects of the media's handling of current events (eg. headlines, objectivity, bias, citizen journalism, etc.) and then apply those criteria in their search of the media's treatment of that week's current events. They then bring their findings to the class where they present and discuss them either in small groups or in open conversation around the seminar table. Class meetings are supplemented with regular use of on-line news sources.
Assessment methods
85% Attendance, weekly media research and preparation, full participation in class discussion. Two group presentations are also required for credit for this course.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
General note: Předmět bude realizován pokud se přihlásí alespoň 15 studentů.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 2 hodiny.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2017, Spring 2018, Autumn 2018, Spring 2019, Autumn 2019, Spring 2020, autumn 2020, Spring 2021, Autumn 2021, Autumn 2022, Spring 2023, Autumn 2023, Spring 2024, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2022, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2022/AJ0302