Foreign Language (English)

Bachelor 2020/2021

Category 'Best Course for Career Development'

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'

Type: Compulsory course (HSE University and University of London Parallel Degree Programme in International Relations)

Area of studies: International Relations

Delivered by: Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

Where: Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs

When: 1 year, 1-4 module

Mode of studies: offline

Instructors: Дашичев Александр Денисович, Сергеева Ольга Николаевна, Elena Andreeva, Anna Anatolyevna Bychkova, Elena Anatolyevna Dolgushina, Vera Dugartsyrenova, Nadezhda Viktorovna Eliseeva, Lubov' Nikolaevna Maslova, Elena Vasilyevna Nagornaya, Elena Petrova, Maria Safonova, Tatiana Olegovna Samorodova, Boris Tarev

Language: English

ECTS credits: 5

Contact hours: 186

Full Syllabus Ask Question

Abstract

The course has been designed for the students of the Bachelor in International Relations programme and is aimed at developing language and communication skills in English to the C1 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) in multiple contexts such as reading, listening, writing and speaking. At the same time, the course is aimed at promoting autonomous learning and critical thinking. The one-year course is divided into two tracks: General English (GE) and English for Specific Purposes/Business English (ESP/BE). GE track combines language development and intensive IELTS preparation with training in all parts of the IELTS test to achieve a C1+ level. As for the second track, the first term is devoted to addressing issues in Political Studies. Besides learning the related vocabulary, students will familiarize themselves with, systematize or revise the information regarding such concepts as ‘politics vs. policy’, ‘regimes’, ‘government’, ‘conflict and peace’, etc. Concerning the second term, students will tackle economic and business issues. Some of them are of general nature: management, work and motivation, recruitment, etc. The others are specific: securities and stock market, government and taxation, banking, etc. The IELTS preparation manifests itself in developing all four skills: reading, listening, writing and speaking with exercises in the IELTS format designed for these topics by the instructors. With reading and listening, these are the overall comprehension of the text and extracting certain information from it. Speaking is developed through in-class discussions, IELTS 2-minute talks on the topics covered and comments on quotations. Writings builds on speaking skills as students learn to summarize the main ideas of the texts, express their point of view on the issues at hand as well as provide a comprehensible description of a visual (a line graph, a pie chart, etc.).

Learning Objectives

This course is aimed at developing academic reading, listening, speaking and writing skills.

Expected Learning Outcomes

learn the meanings of ‘politics’
learn the meanings of ‘policy’
learn the difference between ‘country’, ‘nation’ and ‘state’
learn types of regimes: their features
learn the meanings of ‘government’
learn types of democracy (direct and representative): their features
learn features of liberal and illiberal democracies
learn the ways of democratization
learn the features of parliamentary systems (the UK system as an example)
learn the features of presidential systems (the US system as an example)
learn the features of bureaucracy, its types, its functions; its limitations and its role in the policy process
learn the features of a conflict; types of conflict
learn the types of war; its reasons
learn about laws of war, about types of warfare
discuss the role of relief organizations
learn the functions of a manager
discuss the importance of motivation
consider the importance of cultural differences for people working across cultures
consider the different stages of recruitment
learn the two theories of the sectors of the economy
consider the product life cycle and the role of marketing
consider the stages of the business cycle, its causes
learn about types of capital, types of securities, security regulation, stock market, market indexes
discuss banking products and services including microfinance products
consider the role of government intervention in the economy
consider the responsibilities of business
consider free trade and protectionism
discuss agreements that aim at curbing global warming (Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement)
learn various types of politics
learn the difference between ‘politics’ and ‘policy’
learn various types of policies
learn to summarise the main ideas of the text
learn to summarise the text (reading or listening)
identify the functions of a state, various types of a state, features of statehood, various types of sovereignty
learn the rules regarding graph description
practice describing a line graph
discuss types of government, functions of government
discuss the difference between ‘government’ and ‘governance’
identify advantages and disadvantages of a small / big government
learn to express your opinion supported with arguments
learn to summarise the information provided and express your opinion supported with arguments
learn to read for details
learn to listen for details
learn to comment on a quote (expressing your opinion and providing your arguments to support it)
discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a two-party / multi-party systems
discuss conflict management (causes and solutions)
learn to read for the gist
learn the just war theory
learn to describe a pie chart
learn to desribe a bar chart
discuss what makes a good manager
learn the vocabulary related to management
learn to work in teams on a case
learn the vocabulary related to 'politics'
learn the vocabulary related to 'policy'
learn the vocabulary related to 'state', 'statehood', 'sovereignty'
learn the vocabulary related to 'regimes'
learn the vocabulary related to 'government'
learn the vocabulary related to 'democracy'
learn the vocabulary related to 'liberal democracy' and 'illiberal democracy'
learn the vocabulary related to 'freedom'
learn the vocabulary related to 'parliamentary systems'
learn the vocabulary related to 'presidentail systems'
learn the vocabulary related to 'bureaucracy'
learn the vocabulary related to 'conflict' and 'peace'
learn the vocabulary related to 'armed conflicts'
learn and discuss various theories of motivation
consider specific situations in terms of enhancing motivation
learn the vocabulary related to 'motivation at work'
learn to listen for the gist
learn to describe a table
learn and discuss two theories of dividing cultures regarding their personal and business behavior
discuss the conflict between globalization and localization
discuss what makes a good CV/resume and covering letter; compare good and bad practices in preparing a CV/resume and covering letter
learn and discuss the tips for a job interview
learn the vocabulary related to 'recruitment'
learn to describe a flowchart
learn to prepare a structured talk
learn the vocabulary related to 'cross-cultural management'
discuss the spheres and functions in each sector
discuss the changes regarding the future of manufacturing
learn the vocabulary related to 'sectors of the economy'
learn the vocabulary related to 'the product life cycle' and 'marketing'
discuss Keynesianism and monetarism
learn the vocabulary related to 'business cycle'
learn the vocabulary related to 'securities' and 'stock market'
learn to describe a set of visuals
learn about different banks
learn the vocabulary related to 'banking'
discuss arguments in favor of and against government spending and taxation
learn various types of taxes
learn the vocabulary related to 'taxation'
discuss the ethics of various business practices
learn the vocabulary related to 'CSR'
discuss the advantages and disadvantages of international trade
learn the vocabulary related to 'international trade'
consider possible solutions to global warming and their economic consequences
learn the vocabulary related to 'economics and ecology'
Reading: learn how to predict content from context by scanning, Test practice: Note and table completion
Speaking: practise Speaking Part 1 sub-skills and pronunciation; learn to use a range of tenses and vocabulary; word stress. Test practice: Part 1
Listening: learn how to recognise paraphrasing in Listening Section 2; Test practice: Section 2 (Multiple choice)
Language development: revise synonyms and practise using prefixes for paraphrasing and word formation, review tenses
Vocabulary: explore vocabulary from the academic word list; learn new collocations related to learning; practice dictionary skills
Reading: learn how to predict supporting details by using topic sentences; Test practice (True, False, Not given; Short-answer questions)
Listening: practise understanding how location can be expressed; practise labelling a map or plan and form completion in Listening Section 1; Test practice: Section 1 (Label a map; Form completion)
Speaking: practise Speaking Part 2 sub-skills and develop topic-specific vocabulary; improve fluency and coherence. Test practice: Part 2.
Vocabulary: expand academic vocabulary; explore differences between written and spoken vocabulary
Language development: practise using a variety of passive forms
Reading: learn how to identify the main idea; Test practice (Matching headings; Multiple-choice questions)
Listening: learn how to identify specific information required in Listening Section 4; learn how to identify correct answers in Listening Section 4.Test practice: Section 4 (Sentence completion; Short-answer questions)
Speaking: learn how to use topic-specific vocabulary for Speaking Part 3; develop vocabulary; focus on lexical resource. Test practice: Part 3
Writing: plan how to write an essay for Writing Task 2, practise developing a paragraph, practice writing about solutions. Test practice: Task 2 (Problem and solution essay)
Vocabulary: learn new academic collocations; practise using idiomatic phrases for problems and solutions
Language development: revise real and unreal conditionals and practise using other forms for expressing conditionality, practise using modal forms, degrees of certainty and adverbs of attitude
Reading: learn how to identify functions; Test practice (Matching information; Summary completion)
Listening: practise using questions to predict answers in Listening Section 2; learn how to identify links between ideas in Listening Section 2. Test practice: Section 2 (Table and note completion)
Writing: learn how to give your opinion and develop your arguments; plan how to write an opinion essay for Writing Task 2; Test practice: Task 2 (Opinion essay)
Speaking: learn to develop topic-specific vocabulary; expand your ideas using conjunctions and phrases; focus on pronunciation; Test practice: Part 3
Vocabulary: learn how to use an impersonal style in writing and speaking; study academic verbs and collocations for thoughts and beliefs
Language development: practise forming clauses; using subordinate clauses; expressing opinions with that, review and practise pronoun referencing; learn signposting words
Reading: practise recognising reference words; Test practice (Matching features; Note completion: Labelling a diagram; True/False/Not given)
Listening: practise listening for agreement and disagreement in Listening Section 3; understand factual descriptions in Listening Section 3; Test practice: Section 3 (Matching; Labelling a diagram)
Writing: learn how to give your opinion and develop your arguments for Writing Task 2; Test practice: Task 2 (Opinion essay)
Speaking: develop topic-specific vocabulary; practise techniques for adding detail for Speaking Part 2; focus on grammatical range and accuracy; Test practice: Part 2
Vocabulary: explore the language of invention and innovation; learn how to express quantity; learn vocabulary for agreement and disagreement
Language development: practise reported speech patterns and using other reporting structures, practise using noun phrases
Reading: learn how to work out the meaning of unknown words; Test practice (Flow chart completion; Sentence completion)
Listening: practise understanding opinion from adjectives in Listening Section 4; learn how to recognise attitude from tone and intonation in Listening Section 4; Test practice: Section 4 (Multiple choice, Summary completion)
Writing: practise structures to compare and contrast in Writing Task 2; plan how to write an opinion essay for Writing Task 2. Test practice: Task 2 (Opinion essay)
Speaking: develop topic-specific vocabulary; explore ordering an argument; focus on fluency and coherence; Test practice: Part 3
Vocabulary: revise verbs for argument and opinion; learn new collocations for argument
Language development: practise linking ideas and using both/neither/either, practise forming cleft sentences
Reading: practise linking ideas; paraphrases; Test practice (Matching sentence endings; Summary completion)
Speaking: develop topic-specific vocabulary; practise speaking more accurately; focus on grammatical range and accuracy; Test practice: Part 1
Listening: learn how to identify distracters in Listening Section 1; practise using positive and negative vocabulary in Listening Section 1;Test practice: Section 1 (Form completion; Multiple choice)
Writing: practise structures of mixed type essays
Vocabulary: learn new academic nouns, word families and collocations
Language development: practise using sentence fragments and run-on sentences; practise punctuation
Reading: learn how to identify the writer’s views/claims; Test practice ( Yes / No / Not given ; Multiple choice: select two answers)
Listening: practise following lines of argument in Listening Section 2; Test practice: Section 2 (Matching; Table completion)
Speaking: develop topic-specific vocabulary; focus on real and hypothetical situations and reactions; practise pronunciation: connected speech; focus on grammatical range and accuracy; Test practice: Part 2
Writing: practise understanding causes and effects in Writing Task 2; plan how to write a cause and effect essay for Writing Task 2; Test practice: Task 2 (Cause and effect essay)
Vocabulary: develop vocabulary related to community; practise academic collocations and describing emotions
Language development: review and practise future forms and speculating about the future, practise cause and effect linking words

Course Contents

What is Politics?
Defining Policy
The State, Statehood and Sovereignty
Political Regimes
Government
Types of Democracy
Liberal Democracy
Transition to Democracy
Parliamentary Systems
Presidential Systems
Bureaucracy
Conflict vs. Peace
Armed Conflict
Management
Work and Motivation
Managing Across Cultures
Recruitment
Sectors of the Economy
Marketing
Business Cycle
Securities and Stock Market
Banking
Government and Taxation
CSR
International Trade
Economics and Ecology
Lifelong learning
A world of change
The feel-good factor
A consumer society
Homes of the future
Law and order
On the move
Social networking

Assessment Elements

GE written assignments
GE speaking assignments
ESP written assignments
BE written assignments
BE speaking assignments
ESP Final Test
ESP Module Test
BE Module Test
BE Final Test
There will be 3 tasks. 1. Listening; 2. Reading; 3. Writing (summary and expressing his/her own opinion). The tasks will be provided via plarforms (MS Teams, Zoom) with a pre-set time limit.
GE Module Test
BE Oral Exam
The student has to complete two tasks at the oral exam. 1. A comment on a quote. Due to the online format of the exam, the 'selection' of a quote will be done with a random choice of a number by the student (the professor will provide the range within which the student can choose the number) and the professor posting the quote in the chat to the platfrom (MS Teams, Zoom). The student will have a minute to think it over and then he will have a minute to offer his/her interpretation of the quote and his/her arguments to support his/her agreement or disagreement with it. 2. a speaking card on one of the topics covered in the second term. The selection of the card will be done in the same way as with the quote. Then, the student will have a minute to prepare and two-two and a half minutes to address the points on the card. Throughout his/her answer, the student has to have his/her camera on and to share his/her screen.
GE Final Test

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (2 module)
ESP 20% + GE 20% + Module 1 Test (ESP+GE) 20%, + Exam (ESP+GE) 40 %
Interim assessment (4 module)
BE 20% + GE 20% + Module 3 Test (BE+GE) 20% + Exam (BE+GE) 40 %

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics. Edited by Carles Boix and Susan C. Stokes. Oxford University Press, 2009.
Стогниева О. Н. - АНГЛИЙСКИЙ ЯЗЫК ДЛЯ ЭКОНОМИСТОВ (B1–B2). ENGLISH FOR BUSINESS STUDIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION. Учебное пособие для академического бакалавриата - М.:Издательство Юрайт - 2019 - 197с. - ISBN: 978-5-534-10008-2 - Текст электронный // ЭБС ЮРАЙТ - URL: https://urait.ru/book/angliyskiy-yazyk-dlya-ekonomistov-b1-b2-english-for-business-studies-in-higher-education-429129

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Malhotra, J. (2015). IELTS - General Module (book - 4). New Delhi: V&S Publishers. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1586157

Course Syllabus