Arguing in English

2020/2021

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

Type: Mago-Lego

Delivered by: School of Linguistics

When: 3, 4 module

Open to: students of all HSE University campuses

Instructors: Yulia Badryzlova, Daria Perova, Ksenia Pospelova, Anna Viklova, Olga Ilyinichna Vinogradova, Nina Zdorova

Language: English

ECTS credits: 3

Contact hours: 56

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Abstract

Arguing in English is a course for 1st-year Master’s students of HSE, it is Magolego Elective Course where the students learn how to participate discussions and write argumentative essays in English. Students enrolled in the course Arguing in English have to cope with four tasks before and in class: - they watch video materials and go over the reading materials that their instructor sends to them a week before the class, noting both the points made, strategies applied, and the vocabulary/grammar used in those materials; - they form their own opinions about the subject matter that was discussed and prepare some arguments and/or cases for the development of their opinions in class; - they make a 10-minute speech in favour or against the motion announced for the class, if they act as panelists in class, OR they pose questions or contribute comments asking one particular panelist, one panel (for or against), or to all panelists to give a short answer (two or three of those); - and they produce written expression of the position in the subject area of the motion (in three situations – if they stay away from a class, in their mid-term essay, and in their final examination).

Learning Objectives

The main learning objectives of the course “Arguing in English” are the following: (1) to familiarize students with the key aspects and specific tools of developing a debate in English (2) to help them develop effective strategies for organizing their argument in the form of a monologue (3) to apply appropriate language, style and means of discourse for an academic, business or media environment (4) to advance their written competence in argument (5) to improve critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Expected Learning Outcomes

The students reproduce the rules of future discussion and the key principles of writing an argumentative essay.
The students discuss the theme in focus applying the kew principles of argumentation learned before.
The students write an argumentative essay on a theme in focus.

Course Contents

Introduction to the course. Debating formats. What to focus on in preparation. Principles of writing an argumentative essay.
New Technologies in Education and Professional life. Communication Today
Who We Are on the Internet. Ethical Principles. Addictive Character of Our Devices.
Big Data.
Fake News.
Today's Politics.
Visual, Performing and Literary Arts in Our Life.
Privacy, Convenience, or Safety?
Debate on the topical area suggested by the groups by the 8th class.

Assessment Elements

participation in the debate
This activity is repeated throughout the course and that is why there is no need to retake it.
home assignments
exam (essay)
Рефераты

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (4 module)
0.3 * exam (essay) + 0.2 * home assignments + 0.3 * participation in the debate + 0.2 * Рефераты

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Longman business English skills: meetings and discussions, , 1997

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Гаврилов А. Н., Даниленко Л. П. - АНГЛИЙСКИЙ ЯЗЫК. РАЗГОВОРНАЯ РЕЧЬ. MODERN AMERICAN ENGLISH. COMMUNICATION GAMBITS 2-е изд., испр. и доп. Учебник и практикум для вузов - М.:Издательство Юрайт - 2019 - 129с. - ISBN: 978-5-534-09168-7 - Текст электронный // ЭБС ЮРАЙТ - URL: https://urait.ru/book/angliyskiy-yazyk-razgovornaya-rech-modern-american-english-communication-gambits-427335
Чикилева Л. С. - АНГЛИЙСКИЙ ЯЗЫК ДЛЯ ПУБЛИЧНЫХ ВЫСТУПЛЕНИЙ (B1-B2). ENGLISH FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING 2-е изд., испр. и доп. Учебное пособие для бакалавриата и магистратуры - М.:Издательство Юрайт - 2019 - 167с. - ISBN: 978-5-534-08043-8 - Текст электронный // ЭБС ЮРАЙТ - URL: https://urait.ru/book/angliyskiy-yazyk-dlya-publichnyh-vystupleniy-b1-b2-english-for-public-speaking-434097
Якушева И. В., Демченкова О. А. - АНГЛИЙСКИЙ ЯЗЫК (B1). INTRODUCTION INTO PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH 3-е изд., испр. и доп. Учебник и практикум для академического бакалавриата - М.:Издательство Юрайт - 2019 - 148с. - ISBN: 978-5-534-07026-2 - Текст электронный // ЭБС ЮРАЙТ - URL: https://urait.ru/book/delovoy-angliyskiy-yazyk-introduction-into-professional-english-433852

Course Syllabus