Degree | Type | Year | Semester |
---|---|---|---|
2500259 Political Science and Public Management | FB | 1 | A |
2500262 Sociology | FB | 1 | A |
2503778 International Relations | FB | 1 | A |
It is advisable to have at least level B2 of English (on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).
There will be a placement test at the beginning of the course. Students will be required to take the placement test of the UAB Servei de Llengües and write a brief composition.
By using real texts and audiovisual material related to the field of social sciences, the following aspects will be taught: terminology, vocabulary, grammatical structures, discourse devices and reading comprehension in key areas of sociology, political science and international relations. Special emphasis will be placed on developing academic study skills.
FUNCTIONAL SKILLS:
SPEAKING:
WRITING:
READING:
Reading comprehension: news, research and opinion articles related with the social sciences and books.
LISTENING:
Listening comprehension: different formats (news reports, informative videos) and different accents (British, American, etc.).
USE OF THE LANGUAGE:
This course is instrumental and essentially practical. In addition to the varied learning activities carried out in the classroom, students are expected to prepare material, oral presentations and readings autonomously at home. Furthermore, with the increasing need for virtual teaching and learning activities, students will be obliged to carry out more tasks outside the classroom, with the virtual support of the professor(s).
The methodology of this course will be based on the following types of activities:
Guided activities:
Lectures, group discussions, oral presentations and debates, resolution of problems and case studies, completion of exercises, etc.
Supervised work:
Tutorial support, learning activities in the Moodle classroom, preparation of debates and presentations, revision and correction of homework.
Autonomous study:
Reading texts, articles and books; grammar and vocabulary exercises; writing assignments; watching audiovisual material.
Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|
Type: Directed | |||
Classes (on campus or on Moodle) | 30 | 1.2 | 7, 2, 4, 16, 10, 17, 22, 24, 23 |
Debates, oral presentations, speeches, simulations | 20 | 0.8 | 18, 7, 4, 14, 13, 16, 19, 11, 20, 17, 21, 25, 24, 23 |
Oral comprehension | 20 | 0.8 | 2, 3, 4, 20, 21, 24, 23 |
Textual production | 20 | 0.8 | 18, 7, 2, 5, 4, 14, 13, 15, 19, 11, 8, 10, 20, 1, 17, 21, 25, 24, 23 |
Type: Supervised | |||
Homework revision and correction | 20 | 0.8 | 18, 7, 2, 3, 4, 16, 19, 8, 9, 10, 20, 17, 21, 24, 23 |
Preparation of debates and oral presentations | 15 | 0.6 | 18, 2, 3, 4, 14, 13, 16, 19, 11, 8, 20, 17, 21, 25, 24, 23 |
Tutoring | 5 | 0.2 | 18, 4, 16, 19, 20, 24, 23 |
Virtual activities | 20 | 0.8 | 2, 4, 16, 15, 10, 17, 21, 24, 23 |
Type: Autonomous | |||
Exercises, assignments, activities | 50 | 2 | 18, 2, 5, 4, 6, 15, 12, 19, 11, 9, 20, 21, 25, 24 |
Preparation of written tasks | 25 | 1 | 18, 7, 2, 3, 4, 13, 15, 11, 8, 9, 10, 20, 21, 25, 24, 23 |
Search for information and material | 10 | 0.4 | 5, 6, 13, 19, 11, 8, 9, 10, 20, 1, 22, 25, 23 |
Study time and exam preparation | 35 | 1.4 | 5, 19, 21, 25, 24 |
Continuous Assessment (formative)
- Writing activities performed at home, in class or on Moodle: 20%
- Oral presentations, debates and speeches: 20%
- Midterm examination at the end of the 1st term (similar format to the final exam): 20%
- Participation in learning activities (on campus, at home and in the Moodle classroom) throughout the school year: 20%
Language learning is a process that requires a sustained commitment by the student throughout the course. Therefore, continuous assessment of the student’s oral and written production is given significant weight.
Final Examination (summative assessment): 20%
Assessment Calendar (approximate)
- Midterm Examination: end of the first semester
- Final Examination: according to the Faculty's calendar
- Other activities: throughout the course
- Reassessment: according to the Faculty's calendar
Final Mark:
- In order to pass the course, the student must pass the final examination.
- The final mark will be calculated according to the weight assigned to each item of assessment, provided that the student passes the final examination.
- Students who complete more than 35% of the tasks assigned for evaluation or who take the final examination will not receive "no avaluable" (“cannot be assessed”) as their final grade.
- If total or partial plagiarism is detected in any assessed item, the student will receive a zero on that test, exercise or activity.
Reassessment:
If a student is failing the course after the final examination date, reassessment may be permitted, according to the official reassessment calendar, if certain conditions are met.
Reassessment of this subject may consist of taking the resit examination and/or the submission of certain assignments (group and participation activities cannot be made up), if the following conditions are met:
- The student must have completed and submitted at least 50% of the items for assessment by the original deadline.
- The student must have achieved an overall average of 3.5 or higher.
In accordance with article 117.2 of the UAB Academic Regulations, the evaluation of students who have been enrolled in the subject in previous academic years may consist of a single synthesis examination. Students who wish to be evaluated in this way should contact the professor at the beginning of the school year.
Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Final assessment test (summative) | 20% | 3 | 0.12 | 7, 2, 3, 4, 6, 15, 11, 10, 21, 25, 24, 23 |
Midterm examination (first term) | 20% | 3 | 0.12 | 7, 2, 3, 4, 6, 15, 11, 10, 21, 25, 24, 23 |
Oral presentations, debates, speeches | 20% | 3 | 0.12 | 18, 4, 14, 13, 16, 19, 11, 17, 21, 25, 24, 23 |
Participation in learning activities (in class, at home & on Moodle) | 20% | 12 | 0.48 | 18, 7, 2, 3, 5, 4, 6, 13, 16, 15, 12, 19, 11, 8, 9, 10, 20, 1, 17, 21, 22, 24, 23 |
Submission of written assignments | 20% | 9 | 0.36 | 18, 7, 2, 3, 4, 13, 15, 11, 8, 9, 10, 20, 21, 25, 24, 23 |
There is no required book for the 2020-2021 school year.
Below is a list of several books and webpages that can be useful for learning English and/or that include content related to this subject. It is by no means a complete list of the resources used in this course.
A. Grammar, reference and practice texts
Carter, Ronald & Michael McCarthy (2006). Cambridge Grammar of English. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Lansford, Lewis; Paul Dummet; & Helen Stephenson. (2016). Keynote Advanced. Student’s Book. Cengage & National Geographic.
Murphy, Raymond (2012). English Grammar in Use. With Answers. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Quirk, Randolph; Sidney Greenbaum; Geoffrey Leech & Jan Starvik (1985). A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language. London: Longman.
Stephenson, Helen; Lewis Lansford; & Paul Dummett. (2016). Keynote Upper-Intermediate. Student’s Book. Cengage & National Geographic.
Vince, Michael (2003). Advanced Language Practice with Key. Oxford: Macmillan.
B. Reading, Speaking and Writing for Specific Purposes
Anderson Kenneth, Joan Maclean & Tony Lynch (2004) Study Speaking. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Crème, Phyllis and Mary Lea (2002) Writing at University. A Guide for Students. Buckingham: Open University Press.
Dignen, Bob (2011). Fifty Ways to Improve your Presentation Skills in English. Orient Black Swan.
Glendinning, Eric H. & Beverly Holmström (2004). Study Reading. A Course in Reading Skills for Academic Purposes. (2nd edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
McCarthy, Michael & Felicity O'Dell (2016) Academic Vocabulary in Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
C. Dictionaries
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary. (2003). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Wehmeier, Sally; Colin McIntosh & Joanna Turnbull (2005). Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English. Oxford: Oxford University Press (7th edition).
Macmillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners. (2003). Oxford: Macmillan.
Sinclair, John (2001). Collins Cobuild English Language Dictionary.London: Collins.
D. Online Dictionaries
E. Online sources of news and editorial articles in English