AJ_CEEC Current Events in English Speaking Countries

Faculty of Education
Spring 2009
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Jarmila Fictumová (seminar tutor)
Michael George, M.A. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Zdeněk Janík, M.A., Ph.D.
Department of English Language and Literature – Faculty of Education
Contact Person: Jana Popelková
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 20 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/20, only registered: 0/20, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/20
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).
Course Objectives: 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 become aware of cultural differences within English speaking lands. By discussing the same event as reported in various news sources, students will also develop a critical eye as consumers of English, becoming better able to recognize hidden or implied bias in the media. By participation in the weekly "round table" discussions, and especially in the group presentations, students will have an opportunity to practice their spoken fluency in group situations.
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
  • Literature for this class includes the whole scope of the English language media: newspapers, magazines, radio, television and Internet.
  • Lee, Martin A. and Solomon, Norman. Unreliable Sources. New York: Carol Publishing Group, 1992
Assessment methods
Attendance, preparation, participation in class discussion and group presentations are the credit requirements for this course.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 2 hodiny.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2006, Spring 2007, Autumn 2007, Spring 2008, Autumn 2008, Autumn 2009, Spring 2010, Autumn 2010, Spring 2011, Autumn 2011, Spring 2012, Autumn 2012, Spring 2013, Autumn 2013, Spring 2014, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Spring 2016, Autumn 2016, Spring 2017.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2009, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/ped/spring2009/AJ_CEEC