Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
English Language in Political Science
Course Code
VC_057
Branch of Science
Languages and Literature
ECTS
9.00
Target Audience
Political Science
LQF
Level 6
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Anna Jurčenko
Structure Unit Manager
Ieva Puzo
Structural Unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Contacts
Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szf@rsu.lv
About Study Course
Objective
To develop English language skills for further use in academic and future professional settings, to promote relevant terminology acquisition and its professional application in the field of political science.
Preliminary Knowledge
Knowledge of the English language at secondary school level.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.On successful completion of the course, students will: • be able to understand and apply professional terminology in different types of texts on politics, economics, legislation and diplomacy; • have acquired general understanding of politics, diplomacy and international relations; • be aware of different degrees of formality and pragmatic meaning.
Skills
1.On successful completion of the course, students will be able to: • summarise texts from a variety of fields: politics, economics, diplomacy; • express and present their opinion on political issues; • write academic essays; • participate in debates.
Competences
1.On successful completion of the course, students will be able to apply their knowledge and skills in further studies and professional career.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Individual work |
-
|
-
|
|
2 presentations, 1-2 essays (2 pages) on term themes and 2 tests on new lexis per term; work with monolingual English dictionaries: explanation of terminology; writing summaries. Students are obliged to fill in the course evaluation questionnaire at the end of the course.
|
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Examination |
-
|
-
|
|
1–2 pages long academic essay.
Assessment criteria:
• grammar/spelling;
• vocabulary;
• academic writing skills;
• structure.
|
||
|
2.
Examination |
-
|
-
|
|
1–2 pages long academic essay.
Assessment criteria:
• grammar/spelling;
• vocabulary;
• academic writing skills;
• structure.
|
||
|
3.
Examination |
-
|
-
|
|
1–2 pages long academic essay.
Assessment criteria:
• grammar/spelling;
• vocabulary;
• academic writing skills;
• structure.
|
||
|
4.
Examination |
-
|
-
|
|
1–2 pages long academic essay.
Assessment criteria:
• grammar/spelling;
• vocabulary;
• academic writing skills;
• structure.
|
||
|
5.
Examination |
-
|
-
|
|
Active participation in discussions, seminars and debates; timely submission of qualitative written assignments; quality of oral presentations. The final grade is comprised by the mean score of all assignments – 50%, final presentation – 25% and final test – 25%. The final grade can be lowered in case of assignment submission after the deadline and unjustified absence during more than 30% of the classes. Cumulative assessment can be offered in case the coursework result thoughout the semester (tests, essays and presentation together) is 9 and higher.
|
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Introduction to the course.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Government systems.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Interdisiplinary perspective: Geography.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Interdisiplinary perspective: Geography.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Interdisiplinary perspective: History.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Interdisiplinary perspective: History.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Political parties and ideologies.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Political parties and ideologies.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social issues. Poverty. Environmental problems.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Social issues. Poverty. Environmental problems.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Elections.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Elections.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Academic writing: Introduction.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Academic writing: Structuring the essay.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Academic writing: Critical analysis.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Academic writing: Critical analysis.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Academic writing: Describing data.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Grammar: Usage of articles and nominalisation.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Grammar: Usage of articles and nominalisation.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Debates: Presenting arguments.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Debates: Presenting arguments.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Governmental systems.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Electoral systems.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Electoral systems.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Electoral systems.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sovereignity and globalisation.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Sovereignity and globalisation.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Media and Politics.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Presentation skills: Political leaders.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Presentation skills: Political leaders.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
4.50
Contact hours:
60 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test (Semester)
Part 2
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Diplomatic relations and foreign affairs.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Diplomatic relations and foreign affairs.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Diplomatic relations and foreign affairs.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
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2
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Topics
|
Diplomatic language: Politeness.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Gender (In)Equality. Feminism.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Diplomatic language: Pragmatics. Politeness.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Diplomatic language: Pragmatics. Politeness.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Discourse analysis: Political speech.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Discourse analysis: Political speech.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
EU Legislation.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
EU Legislation.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
International organisations: the UN.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
International organisations: NATO.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
International organisations: the EU.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Latvia in the EU.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
European Parliament.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
European Council.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
European Comission.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
European Comission.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
European Comission.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Political tensions and conflicts.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Political tensions and conflicts.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Conflicts of the 20th–21st centuries.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Conflicts of the 20th–21st centuries.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Political correctness.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Political culture.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Terrorism
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Terrorism
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Terrorism
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Terrorism
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
4.50
Contact hours:
60 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Bailey, S. (2011) Academic Writing : a Handbook for International Students. New York : Routledge.
2.
Carlsnaes, W., Risse,T., Simmons B. (2012) Handbook of International Relations. Los Angeles: SAGE.
3.
Devetak, R., Burke, A., George, J. (2012) An Introduction to International Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
4.
Kerr, P., Wiseman, G. (2013) Diplomacy in a Globalizing World: Theories and Practices. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
5.
Kissinger, H. (1994) Diplomacy. New York: Touchstone.
6.
Sharp, P. (2009) Diplomatic Theory of International Relations. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
7.
Swales, J. (2012) Academic Writing for Graduate Students: Essential Tasks and Skills. Ann Arbor : The University of Michigan Press.
Additional Reading
1.
Balfour, R. et al (2016) Europe’s Trouble Makers: The Populist Challenge to Foreign Policy. European Policy Centre.
2.
Hemery, J. (2005) Training for Public Diplomacy: an Evolutionary Perspective. In Melissen, J. (2005) The New Public Diplomacy: Soft Power in International Relations. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
3.
Murray, D. (2017) The Strange Death of Europe. London: Bloomsbury.
4.
Newman, D. (2006) The lines that continue to separate us: borders in our ‘borderless’ world. Progress in Human Geography, 30 (2): 143-161.
5.
Pease, K. (2012) International Organizations : Perspective on Governance in the Twenty-first Century. Boston: Longman.
6.
Rosati, J., Scott, J. (2011) The Politics of United States Foreign Policy. Boston, MA : Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
7.
United Nations (2009) Rethinking Poverty: Report on the World Social Situation 2010. New York: United Nations.