Learning objectives
Overall listening comprehension
• Understand speech and presentations of moderate length and follow lines of argument provided the topic is reasonably familiar.
• Understand the important points of a short news and current affairs features with standard British or American pronunciation.
• Develop strategies for difficult communication situations—phone conversations, strong accents, unfamiliar topics, etc.
Overall reading comprehension
• Read short to medium-length articles and reports on international relations and legal proceedings in which the writers adopt particular attitudes or viewpoints.
• Understand the overall meaning of more complicated texts—particularly articles regarding international law and politics.
Overall spoken interaction
• Interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes interaction with speakers at a similar or higher level possible.
• Take an active part in discussion in familiar contexts, accounting for and sustaining personal views and opinions.
• Present clear, detailed descriptions on a wide range of subjects related to international law, politics, and other topics.
• Explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.
Overall written interaction
• Write clear texts on subjects related to the student's interests and communication needs.
• Write a short report or analysis, passing on information or giving reasons in support of or against a particular point of view.
• Write emails to make arrangements or to provide updates or information on a topic.
Prerequisites
To take the final exam, students must have passed the English B2 sufficiency test.
Course unit content
This is a practical course in using English for International Relations. The course will introduce important topics in law, commerce, communication, and diplomacy and put these skills and concepts into practical use in the classroom.
Full programme
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Bibliography
International Relations – E-International Relations Publishing, 2017, editor—Stephen McGlinchey
https://www.e-ir.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/International-Relations-E-IR.pdf
Teaching methods
This course integrates all core language skills—reading, writing, speaking, pronunciation, and listening—in a balanced and clear series of units all of which are centered on the academic work, life experiences, and communications needs of the participants.
Because the course will be offered remotely this semester, each week students will have the opportunity to prepare a video or written response to the week's topic materials and this can additionally augment the student's grade through participation.
Assessment methods and criteria
Students are expected to participate in class and can raise their grades through active participation. Students should complete all readings and be prepared to discuss, analyze, and give their own opinion verbally or in writing.
At the end of the course, a written exam will be administered that tests grammar, vocabulary for international relations, and writing skills through a situational analysis essay.
The final exam has 21 grammar multiple choice questions that cover the topics studied in class, followed by a fill in the gap section where students must put in the correct words to complete a paragraph, and there is a section of technical diplomatic terms terms that must be matched to their definitions.
Students will then write an analysis or opinion essay with a minimum length of 300 words.
During the exam, no support materials are to be used by the examinees. Exercises are provided to prepare for the final exam.
Other information
Students are highly encouraged to maintain a daily practice of English outside the classroom through conversations; watching film, TV programs, or videos; and reading books or news articles.
2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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