Academic Communication in English

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Subject guarantor

Name of lecturer(s)

Jindřiška BLÁHOVÁ

Department

The subject provides Rectorate

Contents

The aim of the course is to develop academic communication oriented towards the performing arts (theatre, film, music and dance) with an emphasis on the creation of one's own texts. In the lessons, students will learn the basic rhetorical and stylistic principles of academic English and try to practice them by giving short presentations, writing an abstract for a dissertation or other research project of their choice and needs of the moment. They receive regular in-depth individual and group feedback on their writing and speaking and gradually improve them linguistically and stylistically. Lessons are conducted in English and so develop informal spoken English during discussions and group work.

1. Introduction to cultural differences in academic communication
2. Basics of argumentation and research problem formulation
3. Discourse analysis of annotations
4. Creating an annotation
5. Introduction to English stylistics
6. Text editing
7. Presentation of own research project

The course takes place once a week in class (90 min.) or online and requires an additional 90 min. of independent work on assignments (text analysis, writing your own texts and stylistic exercises)

The course takes place online (Zoom + guided self-study online on Google Drive)

THURSDAY 9 - 10.30 a.m.

Starts 2.10. and ends 19.12. 2025

Contact: Šárka Císařová / sharka.c@gmail.com

Learning outcomes

1. To familiarize students with the basics of academic communication in English

2.To learn the key rhetorical and stylistic principles of academic English in the performing arts (theatre, film, music and dance) with an emphasis on the production of one's own texts.

1. Improve the written and spoken communication in academic English, develop reading strategies, discourse analysis, and work with editing tools and translators.

Prerequisites and other requirements

1. Advanced level of English (B2 and above)
2. Ability to analyse and reflect
3. Work on individual or collective research

Literature

Required: none

Recommended:

Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. G., & Williams, J. M. (1995). The Craft of Research. Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press, Ltd.

Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2009). Abstracts and the Writing of Abstracts (Vol. 1 of the revised and expanded edition of English in Today's Research World). the United States of America: University of Michigan.

Williams, J. M., & Colomb, G.. G. (2010). style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace (10th Edition). Longman. p.6

Strunk, W., and White, E. B. (2000). the Elements of Style. 4th ed. New York: Longman.

Free online resources

1. Translating app: https://www.deepl.com/en/translator
2. Paraphrasing and researching sentences in contexts: https://ludwig.guru
3. Dictionaries

Cambridge Learner's Dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/learner-english/

Oxford Advanced Dictionary: https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com

Oxford collocation dictionary: https://www.freecollocation.com

Pronunciation dictionary: https://howjsay.com

1. Grammar and style

Checking style: https://www.deepl.com/en/write

Checking grammar: https://www.grammarly.com

Cambridge grammar dictionary: https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/

Evaluation methods and criteria

Active participation in discussions, 75% attendance, and submission of 75% of written assignments are required during the semester.

Further information

This course is an elective for all AMU students

Schedule for academic year 2025/26:

The subject is a part of the following study plans

• Art of Dance and Nonverbal Theatre (D) since 2023/2024 (Elective subjects)
• Art of Dance and Nonverbal Theatre (D) since 2023/2024 (Elective subjects)
• Drama, psychosomatika a autorství v pedagogice a sociální praxi (Elective subjects)
• Drama, psychosomatika a autorství v pedagogice a sociální praxi - na dostudování KVD a KATaP (Elective subjects)
• Research and Theory of Audiovision 2025 (Elective subjects)