Language Centre Faculty of Social Studies MASARYK UNIVERSITY Joštova 10, 602 00 Brno, Czech Republic CJVA302 Current Political Events in English Speaking Countries Syllabus Course Information Class day/time Fall semester, Thursday, 13:30–15:00, U36 Number of credits 2 Class type Lectures and class discussions Lecturers Colin Kimbrell Contact 442840@mail.muni.cz Office Hours Tuesday, 15:30–16:30 (or by appointment) Course Description 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 paid to building vocabulary both from the field of international relations and Academic English as such. The content of the course will be formed and adjusted to students' needs and preferences discussed in the first seminar. Course Requirements 1) Given the seminar structure of the course, students are expected to attend all sessions (up to 3 unexcused absences), with exceptions stated by the Masaryk University Study and Examination Regulations. 2) Students are expected to read required readings for each lecture. The readings serve to initiate discussion but also to expand students’ vocabulary and exposure to authentic English. Links to required readings can be found in the syllabus or under the Study Materials → Learning Materials folder in the Information System. 3) Throughout the semester, students will be required to give “leads” (short introductions) to additional topics of their interest but relevant to the given weekly topic or region of interest. 4) In the final week of the semester, students will give short group presentations on a relevant topic (to be approved by the teacher). 5) Each student will also be required to write a final position paper relating to a topic of interest (for example, one of the “leads”). 3) PowerPoint presentations from lectures will also be provided in the Study Materials. Grading The final grade will be calculated as the sum of the four assignments. The maximum is 40 points; the minimum to complete the course is 28 points (70%). Each student will be required to give two leads worth 5 points each (10 points in total). The final presentation and position paper are worth 15 points each (30 in total). Further Information on the Assignments In addition to required readings and other possible homework, the course includes 3 graded assignments: leads, group presentation, and final position paper. Leads: Each student will give two leads during the semester relating to the respective weekly topic or other suggested topics (see course schedule below). The leads will take place in weeks 4–11. With 16 students, that means 4 leads per week. The idea is to give a brief presentation (up to 5 minutes) introducing an additional or related issue based on a relevant reading from a reputable source. In addition to presenting the issue, the student should also present one new word or phrase together with its meaning and context. The spaces are first come, first served. Group presentations: It is up to the students to form groups of up to 3 students. As regards the topic, it is up to you to choose a relevant topic but it must be approved by me. Therefore, a topic proposal must be submitted by week 8. The presentation should be well researched and provide a more in-depth analysis of a key issue. Position paper: Instructions regarding the writing of position papers have already been uploaded into the IS. The required length of the final position paper is 3 standard pages. The paper should present the arguments of two opposing positions on a key issue and the student’s own position/reflection on said issue and must include proper citing of references. Course Schedule 1) 21. 9. 2017 Introduction and content negotiation * Defining “English speaking countries” * Narrowing the topic and negotiating the course content Required reading/viewing: * https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/09/19/world/trump-un-north-korea-iran.html?action=click&module= Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage First assignment: Write a position paper about the above reading and Trump’s speech at the U.N. Due 29 November. 2) 28. 9. 2017 → First assignment (see Week 1) due 29 November. National holiday – St. Wenceslaus Day (Czech Statehood Day) Required readings: * https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/09/donald-trump-and-the-politicization-of-eve rything/540915/?utm_source=atlfb USA and Canada 3) 5. 10. 2017 The Trump administration – the twitter presidency * Immigration – travel ban, “bad hombres” vs. dreamers * The deepening political divide in the U.S. Required reading/viewing: · https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/sep/04/donald-trump-what-is-daca-dreamers · https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/09/donald-trump-and-the-politicization-of-everyth ing/540915/?utm_source=atlfb · https://www.ted.com/talks/robb_willer_how_to_have_better_political_conversations Recommended reading/viewing: * Fukunaga, Cary: “Sin Nombre,” Scion Films, 2009. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1127715/ * https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/10/08/us/politics/white-house-daca.html?action=click&module=Top %20Stories&pgtype=Homepage 4) 12. 10. 2017 Health care reform & race relations * Obamacare vs. Repeal & Replace * Black Lives Matter, Trump vs. the NFL Required reading/viewing: · https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2017/09/26/us/politics/26reuters-usa-healthcare.html · https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/03/14/where-is-black-lives-matter-headed Recommended reading/viewing: · Marx, Anthony: “Making Race and Nation: A Comparison of the United States, South Africa, and Brazil,” Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1998. · DuVernay, Ava: “13th,” Kandoo Films, 2016. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5895028/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 · Peck, Raoul: “I Am Not Your Negro,” Velvet Film, 2017. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5804038/?ref_=nv_sr_1 · Kaye, Rony: “American History X,” New Line Cinema, 1998. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120586/?ref_=nv_sr_1 5) 19. 10. 2017 Climate policy in N. America * Canada vs. the U.S. * The Cult of Trudeau * U.S. Withdrawal from Paris Agreement Required reading/viewing: · https://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2017/jun/12/justin-trudeau-deploys-the-politics- of-hype-jeremy-corbyn-offers-politics-of-hope · https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/apr/17/stop-swooning-justin-trudeau-man-disaster-pla net · https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/17/trump-tillerson-mcmaster-paris-climate-accord-s tay-in Recommended literature: · Klein, Naomi: “This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs The Climate,” Penguin Random House: London, 2015. Additional suggested topics for USA/Canada: · Gun violence and the Second Amendment · Net neutrality · Tax reform · Gerrymandering · Indigenous peoples’ rights · Russia investigation Additional recommended reading/viewing for US/Canada: · https://www.senate.gov/civics/constitution_item/constitution.htm · http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/10/06/555861898/gun-violence-how-the-u-s-compares-to- other-countries?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_con tent=202706 · https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/ginsburg-slaps-gorsuch · http://blacklivesmatter.com/who-we-are/ · https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ECYMvjU52E United Kingdom and Ireland 6) 26. 10. 2017 Brexit and the current political climate * Hard or soft? * Where have all the Brexiteers gone? * May vs. Corbyn Required reading/viewing: · http://bruegel.org/2016/10/beyond-hard-soft-and-no-brexit/ · https://www.economist.com/news/britain/21719529-conservative-voters-are-most-split-trade-between-ma rket-access-and-migration-what · https://www.economist.com/news/britain/21730123-embattled-tory-prime-minister-faces-make-or-break-e uropean-union-talks-sounds Recommended reading/viewing: · https://www.global-counsel.co.uk/sites/default/files/special-reports/downloads/Global%20Counsel_Imp act_of_Brexit.pdf · http://bruegel.org/tag/brexit/ · https://openeurope.org.uk/today/blog/the-mechanics-of-leaving-the-eu-explaining-article-50/ 7) 2. 11. 2017 Other issues * Defunding of the NHS * Terrorist attacks Required reading/viewing: · https://www.theguardian.com/healthcare-network/2015/oct/02/nhs-one-way-road-privatisation · https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/10016/britain-terrorism · http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/terrorism-isis-muslim-islam-jihadi-britain-theresa-may-prevent- strategies-manchester-london-failing-a7780081.html Recommended reading/viewing: · Morris, Christopher: “Four Lions,” Film4, 2010. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1341167/ Additional topics for the UK: · University reforms and student protests · Potential impacts of Brexit on N. Ireland & Scotland · Sectarianism in N. Ireland Australia and New Zealand Presentation proposals due by week 8 (i.e. midnight on 8. 11. 2017) 8) 9. 11. 2017 Immigration, Aboriginal issues Required reading/viewing: · https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/oct/12/how-europes-far-right-fell-in-love-with-australias-im migration-policy · https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/may/25/constitutional-recognition-and-why-the-uluru -talks-matter-explainer Recommended reading/viewing: · http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28189608 · https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/jun/30/indigenous-constitutional-recognition-faces- tough-battle-post-uluru · Noyce, Phillip: “Rabbit-Proof Fence,” Rumbalara Films, 2002. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0252444/?ref_=nv_sr_1 · de Heer, Rolf: “The Tracker,” SBS Independent, 2002. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0212132/?ref_=nv_sr_1 · Roeg, Nicolas: “Walkabout,” MaxL. Raab Productions, 1971. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067959/?ref_=nv_sr_1 Additional topics: · Gay rights · Environmental policy South Africa 9) 16. 11. 2017 Race relations, economic and social development * Poverty, health, education, women’s rights, migration Required reading/viewing: · https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/24/business/south-africa-economy-apartheid.html?hp&action=click&pgt ype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=photo-spot-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news Recommended reading/viewing: · Marx, Anthony W. “Making Race and Nation: A Comparison of the United States, South Africa, and Brazil,” Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 1998. · Hood, Gavin: “Tsotsi,” The UK Film & TV Production Company PLC, 2005. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468565/?ref_=nv_sr_1 India 10) 23. 11. 2017 Relations with Pakistan, economic and social development * The Partition of India and its legacy Required reading/viewing: · http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/08/remembering-partition-slaughter-house-17081005064 9347.html Recommended reading/viewing: · Attenborough, Richard: “Gandhi,” International Film Investors, 1982. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083987/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 Additional topics: · Currency switch · Migration issues, overpopulation, corruption 11) 30. 11. 2017 Open week for special topics or unforeseen events Required reading/viewing: · TBD 12) 7. 12. 2017 Reading week – no class 13) 14. 12. 2017 Final project presentations Cheating and plagiarism Cheating in any other part or aspect of the course will result in failure of the course. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will also result in a final grade of an F. The Disciplinary Commission will be notified about any cases of plagiarism.