CJVADEB Debating in English

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Eva Juhasová (lecturer)
Mgr. Lenka Hanovská, Ph.D. (assistant)
Mgr. Anna Maryšková (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Eva Juhasová
Language Centre Faculty of Arts Division – Language Centre
Contact Person: Mgr. Anna Maryšková
Supplier department: Language Centre Faculty of Arts Division – Language Centre
Prerequisites
This course is primarily aimed at students with C1-C2 level of English (or at least B2+). Students with lower level of English are not excluded but might find the activities too demanding.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 15 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/15, only registered: 0/15, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/15
Course objectives
This course concentrates on debate and discussion, as well as rhetorical, skills of the students. Throughout the semester the students will be engaged in debates on various controversial/disputable topics in which they will be asked to provide their opinions and arguments. The choice of the topics for discussion will be up to the students. The students will also improve and practice their power of persuasion because during the lessons the students will engage in mock elections to the academic senate. They will be asked to prepare a speech as a candidate in the elections, and persuade their voters to elect them.
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is not to improve the level of general English of the students (they are expected to be on C1 level already) but to give them the opportunity to academically debate on various topics that are relevant to them, in English; to deepen their argumentation skills, and also their presentation skills. The students should leave this course with more confidence in speaking in English in general, but academically in particular.
Syllabus
  • The course consists of two kinds of activities: debates on the topics that the students provide, and mock elections to an imaginary academic senate where each student will be a possible candidate, persuading the audience to choose them.
  • Several lessons will be theoretical, and will be devoted to English argumentative vocabulary and argumentative skills in general.
Literature
  • All the materials needed will be provided in an ELF page of this course
  • Materials for this course will be available in the ELF page.
  • All the materials needed will be provided in an ELF page of this course
Teaching methods
This seminar is based on discussions and debates where the students provide the topics, and the teacher takes a role of a moderator of these debates, occasionally providing some terminology or language feedback.
Assessment methods
There are several criteria the students have to meet to successfully pass the course: sufficient attendance, active participation in debates, a short argumentative essay on a chosen topic, and a short electorial speech given in front of the other students.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Information on course enrolment limitations: English at B2 - C1 level according to CEFR is expected.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2024, Autumn 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2025, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2025/CJVADEB