Interactive Syllabus

Welcome to the course CJVA302 Current Events in English-speaking Countries!

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 devoted to building vocabulary both from the field of international relations and Academic English as such. The content of the course will be created and adjusted together with the students according to their needs and preferences as discussed in the first seminar. Thus it is vital that you attend the first session!

We will be meeting each week at our scheduled time (Tuesdays at 14:00) online via Zoom. Here is the permanent link and basic info:

https://cesnet.zoom.us/j/93880165624?pwd=cE5UbGowQmZWckk1clB6Q0tmK1RZZz09

Meeting ID: 938 8016 5624

Passcode: 729455

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 do required readings/viewings for each lecture. The readings serve to initiate discussion but also to expand students’ vocabulary and exposure to authentic English. Links to required readings will be provided on a weekly basis via email and will subsequently be added to the interactive syllabus or under the Study Materials → Learning Materials folder in the Information System.

3) During the semester, students will be required to cooperate in the preparation of one weekly presentation on a topic of interest. You will be expected to give an approximately 10-minute presentation on a particular aspect of the weekly topic. The presentation should also include an interactive element in order to engage your classmates (e.g., quiz, discussion, debate).

4) Students will also write a short position paper on their topic of interest based on independent research and readings done in preparation for the presentation. The paper should be approximately 2 standard pages (i.e. 3,600 characters including spaces) and should be around 1/3 summary of selected readings (1-2 articles are sufficient) and 2/3 critical reflection on the topic (i.e. your own position with supporting arguments and evidence).

5) PowerPoint presentations from lectures will be provided in the Study Materials.