VV070 Seminar on Master's Thesis Writing

Faculty of Informatics
Spring 2018
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 2 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Antonín Zita, M.A., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Eva Rudolfová
Language Centre, Faculty of Informatics Division – Language Centre
Contact Person: Mgr. Antonín Zita, M.A., Ph.D.
Supplier department: Language Centre, Faculty of Informatics Division – Language Centre
Timetable
Thu 12:00–13:50 A218
Prerequisites
VB001 Specialist English
The prerequisite for enrolling in the course is passing the examination in English (VB001)
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 40 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/40, only registered: 0/40, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/40
Course objectives
Writing a thesis is frequently a long and arduous process and even more so when it has to be written in a language other than the author’s primary language. Therefore, this course is aimed at helping students who are in their last semester of studies to finish writing their theses. The course is separated into two tracks – a class track and an individual track. During the former, students attend five classes with the instructor and focus on the process of writing a thesis; the track will cover not only common grammar mistakes, but also the academic writing style or the mechanics of writing a thesis. The individual track has students write portions of their theses and then meet with the instructor on scheduled dates in order to receive feedback on their writing. There will be at least two individual sessions, each lasting 25-30 minutes. Students may be required to submit additional grammar and vocabulary exercises during both tracks. Ultimately, the course should provide students with guidance and information important for a successful completion of a thesis in English language. Students will have to pass an entrance exam in order to enroll into the course; this exam will be written during the first week of classes. Those with exceptionally good results will be offered the individual track only.
Syllabus
  • I. Common grammar mistakes, appropriate register (formal/informal language), II. Academic vocabulary, understanding the academic style of writing, III. writing paragraphs, IV. linking paragraphs together, V. understanding the organization of a thesis
Literature
    recommended literature
  • 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
  • SPARLING, Don. English or Czenglish? : jak se vyhnout čechismům v angličtině. 2. vyd. Praha: Státní pedagogické nakladatelství, 1990, 274 s. ISBN 8004253296. info
  • ALEXANDER, L. G. Longman English grammar. Edited by R. A. Close. London: Longman, 1988, x, 374. ISBN 0582558921. info
    not specified
  • Oxford learner's dictionary of academic English. Edited by Diana Lea. 1st pub. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014, 1 sv. ISBN 9780194333504. info
  • DE CHAZAL, Edward and Julie MOORE. Oxford EAP : a course in English for academic purposes. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013, 239 s. ISBN 9780194001793. info
  • DE CHAZAL, Edward and Sam MCCARTER. Oxford EAP : a course in English for academic purposes. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012, 152 s. ISBN 9780194001786. info
  • SWAN, Michael. Practical English usage. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2005, xxx, 658. ISBN 9780194420983. info
  • HEWINGS, Martin. Advanced grammar in use with answers : a self-study reference and practice book for advanced learners of English. 1st pub. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1999, ix, 340. ISBN 0521498694. 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
Lectures, interactive seminars, active participation in class discussions, written assignments, individual sessions.
Assessment methods
Entrance exam, compulsory attendance. Successful completion of the course involves active participation in class discussion and exercises, regular attendance of both class and individual sessions, completing assigned homework, timely submission of text for feedback, and the production of a significant portion of the thesis.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught each semester.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2015, Spring 2016, Autumn 2016, Spring 2017, Autumn 2017, Autumn 2018, Spring 2019, Autumn 2019, Spring 2020, Autumn 2020, Spring 2021, Autumn 2021, Spring 2022, Autumn 2022, Spring 2023, Autumn 2023, Spring 2024, Autumn 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2018, recent)
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