The aim of this course is to explore current political, economic and social events and issues in the world (mostly in English-speaking countries). The world is an ever-changing place and the interests of all stakeholders are always more intertwined. We will try to discuss subjects that could be political (e.g. the upcoming elections), economic (e.g. ‘what solution for the inflation?’), social (e.g. ‘the increasing poverty amongst students in rich countries’) etc.
Concretely: students will be the main actors: each week a 2 to 3-student group will have to choose a topical subject that they’ll have to prepare beforehand. On D-day, they will present, organise and direct the aforesaid debate, participating actively. Attendees will be required to take part actively as well. Oral interaction is key to this workshop.
In addition, we will work on different materials revolving around the chosen theme to enhance your written / spoken comprehension and enrich your lexicon or even your grammar basis. After each course, one or two students will have to write a summary of the discussion.
Continuous assessment: participation in the discussions, presentation of your topic; a text study and an essay related to a theme we’ll have tackled during the final lesson- Manager: Touret Steve
Where will your studies take you? We will be looking at the possibilities of studying and doing an internship abroad. What is on offer? Studying/working abroad is so much more than just that! Let’s prepare for a successful and enriching experience abroad. Living and studying in a foreign country challenge students to step out of their comfort zones. Stereotypes are something we cannot avoid and exist worldwide. It is essential to acknowledge and challenge these stereotypes to foster a more accurate understanding of the opportunities and challenges of studying and working abroad. (Continuous assessment)
- Manager: Kehoe Bridget
At the end of the seventies the Sex Pistols screamed “There is no future in England's dreaming / No future for you no future for me / No future no future for you.” At that time the UK was “The Sick Man of Europe”, a deeply uncool country which seemed to be in terminal decline, in both cultural and economic terms. Even the British themselves seemed to have come to this conclusion. However, the Union Jack, the UK flag, is today ubiquitous; from clothing through bags to mobile phone cases, it has become an iconic symbol, one which instantly proclaims the person displaying it to be at the height of fashion. When in the EU, the UK enjoyed a spectacular economic turnaround. What happened to cause this dramatic recovery? How did the UK go from bust to boom, and how true is this view of the country? Who were the winners, who were the losers and why?
The focus is on the Thatcher years, when the most change took place, taking a look at the UK from economic, political and sociological points of view, not neglecting the arts; the links between them are also explored. Do politics follow economics or is it the opposite?
While course draws material from the UK, it does put the changes studied into both international and historical perspectives. The USA and France are the main reference points. In this broader perspective, we will be answering questions such as the following: Why will you be poorer than your parents for doing a job of a comparable level? Why is it that the post-World War Two forms of governance and economic system failed in the seventies and were dismantled in the eighties? In order to answer these questions, we will acquire some understanding of left and right wing economic theory, notably intended and real effects. This is essentially done through practical work. For example, supply side economics are examined through a cartoon.
Assessment:
A short, factual presentation about UK culture, i.e. A potted biography of Mrs. Thatcher. The press in the UK. Student life in the UK. The shift from industry to the service industry. The north-south divide. The pub as a cultural institution. Essex man – rise and fall. Changing attitudes towards homosexuality. How does parliament work? Presentations on British artists who represented their era.
An in-depth analytical presentation & written dossier on a subject of your choice, generally in a pair for the oral, which relates directly to the course objectives. Here are some possible subjects: How did the City conquer the world of finance? Was privatisation a good idea? Was the new British economy built on sand? Did Mrs. Thatcher represent a breakthrough for women in politics? Did social class become irrelevant? Are the British poor better or worse off than before? Immigration & attitudes – did racism decrease?
- Manager: Airey John
- Manager: Durbec Valérie
While some critics call out the Hollywood movie industry for making pro-US propaganda films, there exists a rich film tradition which takes a more critical and often satirical view of war. In this module we will watch and discuss selected scenes from some of these movies by film makers such as Stanley Kubrick. Students are encouraged to watch the complete movies outside of class as well as read selected texts which supplement the themes in the movies. Evaluation will be through continuous assessment - oral presentations, and individual, in class written work .
- Manager: Durbec Valérie
- Manager: Kobliska Michael
What significant past events, ideologies, technology, people & inventions have changed the course of our existence and led us to where we are today? … for better or for worse. Do we improve as a civilization on this forever changing planet by learning from our past mistakes or are we just heading head first into a dystopian self destruction, with history just repeating itself?
Maybe together we can find the solutions to saving humanity & our planet. (continuous assessment)
- Manager: Durbec Valérie