BA_EC English Composition

University of Finance and Administration
Winter 2014
Extent and Intensity
0/2. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Dagmar Sieglová, M.Ed., Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Ing. Miloš Krejčí (assistant)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Dagmar Sieglová, M.Ed., Ph.D.
Subdepartment of Languages – Department of Social Sciences – Departments – University of Finance and Administration
Contact Person: Ivana Plačková
Timetable of Seminar Groups
BA_EC/cBMPH: Mon 12:15–12:59 E225, Mon 13:00–13:45 E225, D. Sieglová
BA_EC/cMCPH: Thu 12:15–12:59 E305, Thu 13:00–13:45 E305, D. Sieglová
Prerequisites
Mastering English as the target language (both general and professional) at the level of B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Readiness to actively participate in seminars with an accent on writing techniques and analyzing business profesional texts. Home preparation and writing assignments are and integral part of the course.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
Course objectives
This course is designed to teach students skills necessary for effective academic, professional and business writing. Students are guided to develop proper reading and text analysis habits and encouraged to think critically to isolate crucial issues, reason logically and analyze problems effectively. An integral part of the course is developing a set of efficient readingm research and writing strategies. Upon the successful completion of this course, students will be able to: 1. Apply effective reading strategies to understand, analyze and exploit resources. 2. To implement effective note taking, information organizing and text analyzing techniques. 3. To adapt individual and cooperative techniques promoting argumentation and discussion skills. 4. Recognize, reflect on and adapt various types of academic and professional text writing formats. 5. Analyze, synthetize and summarize academic and professional resources from the field of business to formulate a strong argumentation. 6. Evaluate and integrate sources of information using appropriate documentation and following academic, professional and business standards. 7. Develop an effective thesis statement for generating a proper situational writing format. 8. Construct interesting, informative, well structured and persuasive texts based on a thesis and supported by evidence. 9. Formulate thoughtful and stylistically correct sentences, paragraphs, introductions, and conclusions by using appropriate vocabulary, language strategies and syntactical elements of academic, professional and business writing. 10. Collect, sort out, and organize data for outlining a final research project. 11. Complete a well structured research project, organize individual sections, proof-read, and edit effectively.
Syllabus
  • 1-2 Academic reading: Note taking techniques (double diary, I.N.S.E.R.T. method, mind-maps, speed reading). Academic writing: Identifying resources, choosing a topic. Writing Summaries. Preparation: Bailey pp. 1-10 (W1), pp. 11-18, 257-286 (W2). 3-4 Academic reading: Graphic organizers (6WH-method, comparison tables, Venn diagram, T-Graph, PMI table). Academic writing: Topic definition, theses statement, methodology. Plagiarism, Paraphrasing; Writing Synthesis, Argumentation Essay, Research Proposal. Preparation: Lester & Lester pp. 1-20; Bailey pp. 19-29, 36-42, 56-61 (W3), Bailey pp. 30-35, 43-55,62-71 (W4). 5-6 Academic reading: Graphic organizers (SWOT analysis, Mind-mapping). Academic writing: Referencing, citing, quoting. Data collection, analysis and structure. Writing Individual Reflection, Free writing method. RESEARCH PROPOSAL due (W6). Preparation: Bailey pp. 72-82, 99-129 (W5); Bailey pp. 130-157 (W6). 7-8 Academic reading: Text analysis techniques (Visual solutions – Diagrams, graphs, charts, etc., Cause and Effect, Problem Tree). Forms of visual information. Academic writing: Introductions, conclusions, abstracts; Organizing paragraphs; Project outline and structure. Preparation: Bailey pp. 158-166 (W7), Bailey pp. 83-89 (W8). 9-10 Academic reading: Speed reading techniques (skimming, scanning, PQRSR method). Academic writing: Introductions, conclusions, abstracts, bibliography, paper outlines. Preparation: Bailey pp. 179-202 (W9), Bailey pp. 90-97 (W9-10). 11-12 Review and summary: Project presentations. Course assignment: FINAL PROJECT due (W11); READING & WRITING PORTFOLIO due (W12).
Literature
    required literature
  • Bailey, S. (2006). Academic Writing: A Handbook for International Students. London, New York: Routlege Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN10: 0-415-38420-6 (pbk) http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/phil/english/ling/download/BATextbook.pdf
  • Lester, J. D. Sr. & Lester, J. D. Jr. (1992). Chapter 1. – Choosing a topic. In Lester, J. D. Sr. & Lester, J. D. Jr. The Research Paper Handbook. Glenview, Illinois, USA: GoodYearBooks. ISBM 0-673-36016-4
    recommended literature
  • Michael McCarthy, Felicity O'Dell. (2008). Academic Vocabulary in Use: 50 Units of Academic Vocabulary Reference and Practice; Self-study and Classroom Use. Cambridge University Press.
  • Lester, J. D. Sr. & Lester, J. D. Jr. (1992). The Research Paper Handbook. Glenview, Illinois, USA: GoodYearBooks. ISBM 0-673-36016-4
  • Rogers, L. (2001). Writing Skills. Quince Cottage, England: Delta Publishing.
  • Ramage, J. D., Bean, J. C., & Johnson, J. (2006). The Allyn & Bacon guide to writing: Concise edition.(4th ed.). New York: Longman Publishers.
Teaching methods
Seminars in both types of study (full-time students and part-time students). The explanation of new concepts will be immediately followed by practical exercises - individual work, cooperative learning (work in pairs or groups). Home preparation (reading and writing assignments and evaluation) are an integral part of the course. Special focus will be given to the evaluation of students' progress.
Assessment methods
Course requirements and assessment: 1. COURSE PROJECT: Academic poster and presentation 50% 2. Reading and writing portfolio 40% 3. Vocabulary exercises 10% Class participation and activity: min 75%
Language of instruction
English
Follow-Up Courses
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 6 hodin KS/semestr.
The course is also listed under the following terms Winter 2015, Winter 2016, Winter 2017, Winter 2018, Winter 2019, Winter 2020, Winter 2021.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Winter 2014, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.vsfs.cz/course/vsfs/winter2014/BA_EC