BA Seminar Literature and Culture 1

B.Sc. seminars

The BA diploma seminar covers the areas of literature and culture of the English-speaking countries. Its goal is to prepare students for writing a diploma project in accordance with formal and methodological requirements. The specific content may be altered from year to year, depending on the topics of diploma theses.

The BA diploma seminar’s goal is to prepare students for completing a diploma project on the topic of their interest in accordance with formal and methodological requirements. Particular seminars cover the areas of literature and culture of the English-speaking countries. During the first semester, students will learn about the layout and content of the thesis, research methods, and will choose the topic for analysis. The class has a language focus, teaching academic vocabulary and writing skills, including using the appropriate citation and reference style. An important element of the seminar is to raise awareness of intellectual property and copyright laws and their application in writing academic works. Individual consultations during which students discuss their progress with the thesis advisor are an important part of the seminar.

Research books chosen to suit individual students’ needs. Writing textbooks to be selected by each seminar group’s teacher.

The basic general sources are:

Pinker, Steven. The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century

Booth, Wayne C. et al. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 7th ed.

Graff, Gerald and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing

McCarthy, Michael and Felicity O’Dell, Academic Vocabulary in Use

Knowledge

Students will be able to:

K_W02 understand key terminology, well established methods and theories of literary studies and culture studies within English studies in areas relevant to the seminar's theme

K_W05 list the characteristics of English grammar, syntax, phonology, phonetics, morphology and pragmatics on an advanced level, especially in areas relevant to the seminar's theme

K_W07 explain principles of designing literary and culture studies, with special focus on selecting appropriate methods and tools in formulating research questions in areas relevant to the seminar's theme

K_W11 recall notions and principles pertaining to intellectual property and copyright law

K_W12 characterize economic, legal and other factors relevant for various kinds of professional activities related to the study programme

Abilities

Students will be able to:

K_U01 employ the terminology and methodological tools from literary studies and culture studies in areas relevant to the seminar's theme

K_U02 employ the methodology of literary and culture studies within English studies, respecting the ethical norms and copyright law

K_U03 analyze literary and cultural phenomena in areas relevant to the seminar's theme and draw generalizations on their basis with respect to the social, historical and economic context

K_U04 implement knowledge to describe a problem in areas relevant to the seminar's theme and identify means to solve it, thereby completing a project in literary studies and in culture and religion studies

K_U05 collect information from various sources, critically assess a source and usefulness of information; analyze and draw generalizations on the basis of information so obtained in areas relevant to the seminar's theme

K_U06 identify and implement cultural conventions in intercultural interactions

K_U07 employ modern technology for the sake of obtaining information and using various communication channels and techniques

K_U08 plan and organize working alone and in a team to attain goals

K_U09 present knowledge and communicate in a cohesive, precise and linguistically correct manner in the English language at level C1 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, particularly in the realization of a research project associated with the bachelor's thesis

K_U11 design one’s own development, particularly in the realization of a research project associated with the bachelor's dissertation

Social competences

Students will be ready to:

K_K03 value responsibility for one’s own work and respect the work of others, adhering to the professional and ethical norms in various projects and other activities undertaken at work, voluntary services, etc.

Education at language level B2+.

- attendance: 3 absences allowed

- participation in discussions

- presentations

- an outline of the BA thesis and a bibliography